Brush fires Wednesday west of Rolla, Mo., destroyed what was left of the long-closed Beacon Hill Motel that operated on old Route 66, reported The Rolla Daily News. The newspaper reported: A handful of homes were threatened by the fire in the later stages of the battle, but firefighters were able to save them all. … Continue reading Wildfires destroy remnants of Beacon Hill Motel near Rolla
Grant sought for Route 66 Village in Tulsa
The City of Tulsa has applied for a $949,000 grant form the National Scenic Byways program to build an interpretive center, restrooms, and sidewalks at the Route 66 Transportation Village in southwest Tulsa, reported the current print edition of the Tulsa County News. The newspaper said it should be known by summer of fall whether … Continue reading Grant sought for Route 66 Village in Tulsa
State awards grant to help rehab Santa Rosa warehouse
The governor of New Mexico signed legislation Wednesday that awards $325,000 to the city of Santa Rosa to help plan and rehabilitate the historic Ilfeld Warehouse so it can eventually be converted into a Route 66 museum. Gov. Susana Martinez had promised to veto any item in the Legislature's capital-improvement measure that she deemed as pork. Good … Continue reading State awards grant to help rehab Santa Rosa warehouse
Meet the Midpoint Cafe’s new owners
When Dennis Purschwitz and his wife, Donna, started a Route 66 trip in May 2011, little did they know that journey would lead to them owning the Midpoint Cafe in Adrian, Texas. Traveling in a 2009 Ford Mustang GT, the couple from Thompson Station, Tenn., started their trip in St. Louis and motored west. "We … Continue reading Meet the Midpoint Cafe’s new owners
Joplin chili parlor will close in April after 88 years
Fred & Red's Chili restaurant in Joplin, Mo., is slated to close for good in mid-April after 88 years in business, reported the Joplin Globe. Owner Larry Wilcoxson, 69, has worked at the restaurant for over 50 years. It's such an institution, it has its own Wikipedia article. The newspaper said: His daughter, Amber Wilcoxson … Continue reading Joplin chili parlor will close in April after 88 years
Midpoint Cafe is sold
The Midpoint Cafe, located on the midpoint of Route 66 in Adrian, Texas, has been sold, a little less than a year after longtime owner Fran Houser announced she was putting it on the market. I wasn't able to contact Houser on Monday night, but I received an email from a longtime Route 66er who … Continue reading Midpoint Cafe is sold
A day at Lee’s Feed and Country Store
Here's a video of a typical Saturday at Lee's Feed and Country Store. It's on the far east end of 11th Street (aka Route 66) in Tulsa. https://youtu.be/gRHkZpnRpLw A lot of Oklahomans and people who live in rural areas will look at this and say, "Big deal." But the typical feed store, such as Lee's, … Continue reading A day at Lee’s Feed and Country Store
Replica trolley soon will run on Amarillo’s Sixth Street
A replica of an early 1900s San Francisco trolley soon will be motoring down the Sixth Street district, aka Route 66, of Amarillo, Texas, reported the Amarillo Globe-News. Ken and Milisa Spencer, who own Parties & Events, two antique stores in the district and a soon-to-open old-time soda shop, plan to drive a 1991 Chance … Continue reading Replica trolley soon will run on Amarillo’s Sixth Street
“Route 66 Sightings” nominated for state book award
"Route 66 Sightings," the photography book about the Mother Road assembled and designed by Jim Ross, Shellee Graham, and Jerry McClanahan, has become a finalist for the 2012 Oklahoma Book Awards in the illustration and design category, according to the Tulsa World. Nominees must have an Oklahoma theme, or be produced by current or former … Continue reading “Route 66 Sightings” nominated for state book award
“Yamashita Tomohisa Route 66,” Episode 8
Here’s the eighth episode of Japanese television’s “Yamashita Tomohisa Route 66,” which chronicles the singer and actor’s trip down the Mother Road last fall. https://vimeo.com/37870850 This installment doesn't take place on Route 66, but at Monument Valley. I wasn't disappointed, and you probably won't be, either.