Barc-ee's -- not Buc-ee's just down the road -- is planning a pet-friendly development along Interstate 44 in Marshfield, Missouri, next month. According to a report in the Springfield News-Leader, the Barc-ees will include a dog park, a coffee shop, food, games and a Western-themed miniature city for children. Barc-ee's is the brainchild of John … Continue reading Barc-ee’s — not Buc-ee’s — coming to Marshfield just off I-44
Mr. Powdrell’s Barbecue House to close its final location in Albuquerque at end of this month
Mr. Powdrell's Barbecue House, an institution in Albuquerque for over 60 years, will shutter its final location just eight months after closing its Central Avenue (aka Route 66) restaurant. Mr. Powdrell's will close its location at 5209 Fourth St. (aka Route 66) on the city's north side on June 29, though it will host a … Continue reading Mr. Powdrell’s Barbecue House to close its final location in Albuquerque at end of this month
History Museum on the Square presenting a new exhibit about local Route 66 motels
The History Museum on the Square in downtown Springfield, Missouri, later this month will present a new exhibit, “Checking In: Route 66’s Iconic Hotels & Motels of Greene County." The exhibit will tell "the stories of iconic lodgings along Route 66 that shaped our region, from charming cabins to landmark hotels." It begins June 19 … Continue reading History Museum on the Square presenting a new exhibit about local Route 66 motels
Painted Desert Inn in eastern Arizona marks its 100th year
The Painted Desert Inn is celebrating its 100th year this month, though it started under another name and was in danger of being torn down during the mid-1970s. To celebrate the centennial, the surrounding Petrified Forest National Park in eastern Arizona will offer free activities for families on June 21-23 along with moonlight-guided tours of … Continue reading Painted Desert Inn in eastern Arizona marks its 100th year
Astro Motel in Amarillo to be converted into housing for homeless veterans
The Astro Motel off Route 66 on the west side of Amarillo, Texas, will become a housing complex for homeless veterans. The Amarillo Globe-News reported that Homeless Heroes of Amarillo had secured the $565,000 needed to purchase the property at 5703 W. Amarillo Blvd. (aka Route 66). The current 20-room configuration will be turned into … Continue reading Astro Motel in Amarillo to be converted into housing for homeless veterans
Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo marking its 50th anniversary this month
The landmark Cadillac Ranch on Amarillo's west side is celebrating its 50th year this month, with a show at the Amarillo Museum of Art through Aug. 15. Texas Highways published a terrific article about the Cadillac Ranch art installation off Route 66, including its genesis back in 1974 and photos from that time. I commend … Continue reading Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo marking its 50th anniversary this month
Professor seeks to document and preserve examples of giraffe rock architecture
A professor in Missouri wants to document and preserve so-called giraffe-rock architecture that's rapidly disappearing in the Ozarks region. For the uninitiated, giraffe rock describes colorfully built structures dating to the early 20th century that used native rock such as chert, limestone or sandstone. Several prominent examples of the architecture can be seen along Route … Continue reading Professor seeks to document and preserve examples of giraffe rock architecture
Former Boots Court motel manager Deborah “Debbie Dee” Real dies
Deborah "Debbie Dee" Real, a manager for the Boots Court motel in Carthage, Missouri, during a key time in its revival, has died. She was 73. Real regularly greeted overnight visitors in the Route 66 motel's front office when Deb Harvey and her sister, Priscilla Bledsaw, owned it. The sisters oversaw improvements to the motel, … Continue reading Former Boots Court motel manager Deborah “Debbie Dee” Real dies
Grand opening and christening for new Bug Ranch in Amarillo set for June 14
The newly formed Bug Ranch Association has scheduled a grand opening and christening for the new Bug Ranch location in Amarillo later this month. These free events will be at 6 p.m. June 14 at 1415 Sunrise Drive in Amarillo (map here) at the Starlight Ranch Event Center and near the Big Texan RV Ranch. … Continue reading Grand opening and christening for new Bug Ranch in Amarillo set for June 14
Special online screening of “Route 66: An American Odyssey,” live Q&A set for June 6
The Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership announced a special online screening featuring an announcement and discussion with filmmaker John Paget about his forthcoming Route 66 centennial film and the premiere of a newly remastered HD version of his acclaimed 1994 documentary "Route 66: An American Odyssey." The free online event will take place at 5 … Continue reading Special online screening of “Route 66: An American Odyssey,” live Q&A set for June 6