San Bernardino County in Southern California is expanding its "County Route 66" sign program from Goffs to Needles, reported the Needles Desert Star newspaper. The county began erecting the signs (shown left) last summer, and the program went from Oro Grande to Goffs. Now the signs will mark historic Route 66 from Goffs to Needles … Continue reading San Bernardino County extends sign program to Needles
Preservationists concerned by Aztec Hotel’s impending renovations
The historic Aztec Hotel in Monrovia, Calif.. is closed for renovations. Ordinarily, this would be good news for a distinctive structure built in 1924 and probably needs the work. However, preservationists fret that the work will endanger the hotel's listing on the National Register of Historic Places. The San Gabriel Valley Tribune reported: The work is … Continue reading Preservationists concerned by Aztec Hotel’s impending renovations
A museum of vintage arcade games that are playable
Apparently this place has been operating in the small Route 66 town of McLean, Ill., for several years, and I never knew about it until this video popped up on YouTube a few days ago. This clip is a bit long, but there's not much fat. It's amazing how many 1980s video arcade machines are … Continue reading A museum of vintage arcade games that are playable
Mount Olive restaurant adds a big challenge to its menu
The historic Crossroads Diner, on a newer alignment of Route 66 in Mount Olive, Ill., is offering the Crossroads Burger challenge to prospective competitive eaters, starting today. The Crossroads Burger challenge consists of a 60-ounce burger and fries. If you eat everything in an hour, you get it all for free and win a T-shirt. If … Continue reading Mount Olive restaurant adds a big challenge to its menu
Ariston Cafe hosting sendoff party for Litchfield museum fundraiser
The Ariston Cafe in Litchfield, Ill., is hosting a sendoff party tomorrow for a city administrator who will bicycle Route 66 from Santa Monica to Chicago to raise money for a history and Route 66 museum in the town, reported The Journal-News. The historic Route 66 restaurant will start serving free coffee and doughnuts at … Continue reading Ariston Cafe hosting sendoff party for Litchfield museum fundraiser
Tucumcari group commits to building Route 66 museum
A group in Tucumcari, N.M., announced today it is committed to establishing a Route 66 museum in town, according to a news release emailed by Richard Talley, owner of Motel Safari in Tucumcari. According to the release: The group is already in the process of forming its foundation, has a new website www.nmrt66museum.org, is currently finalizing … Continue reading Tucumcari group commits to building Route 66 museum
Miami seeing big boost in tourism-related revenue
The Joplin (Mo.) Globe today published a story about how towns in the region are preparing for Route 66 tourism season. One of the most striking parts of the story came out of Miami, Okla.: “We’re anticipating this to be a record travel season,” said Amanda Davis, director of the Miami (Okla.) Convention and Visitors … Continue reading Miami seeing big boost in tourism-related revenue
Shooting day at the Rock Cafe
Sunday afternoon mostly looked like a typical day at the Rock Cafe in Stroud, Okla., with its typical clientele of motorcyclists, locals, and Mother Road travelers stopping to grab a bite to eat. Inside, however, was a little different story: A film crew from England was preparing to shoot footage for a reality-television series that … Continue reading Shooting day at the Rock Cafe
Details on the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum’s renovation
The Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton won't officially reopen until May 26, but The Oklahoman newspaper has some details on the renovations that are going on there: Not wanting to change the thematic approach, the museum will continue to tell the story of Route 66 by decade, said Smith, but patrons will have the … Continue reading Details on the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum’s renovation
From the precipice to revitalization
This new Cronkite News Service video explains how El Trovatore Motel in Kingman, Ariz., went from the brink of foreclosure to rapid revitalization: https://vimeo.com/40966348 For more about the motel's sign restorations, go here and here.