The old Brooks Building that sits just east of the Round Barn on Route 66 in Arcadia, Okla., is being rehabilitated into an information center, reported the Edmond Sun in nearby Edmond. Jimmy Blue of Arcadia said as far as he knows, the 90-year-old Brooks building has been a grocery store, feed store and welding … Continue reading Building near Round Barn being repaired
Book review: “The Big Roads”
Many Route 66 fans loathe to give much thought to interstate highways. However, to understand the history of the Mother Road, one must also understand the history of the superslabs. That's where Earl Swift's new book, "The Big Roads" (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 376 pages, $27, e-book available), comes in. Subtitled "The Untold Story of the Engineers, … Continue reading Book review: “The Big Roads”
Disney provides new inside look at Cars Land
The Disney Parks Blog today provided a new peek inside of the Cars Land amusement park under construction at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, Calif. Most of the pictures dealt with the Radiator Springs Racers ride in Cars Land. This is a photo of the Cadillac Range, inspired by Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas, and its … Continue reading Disney provides new inside look at Cars Land
Bank accepts offer for Boots Motel
A news release from Ron Hart at the Route 66 Chamber of Commerce about the historic Boots Motel in Carthage, Mo., came over today. It says, in part: The Route 66 Chamber of Commerce is happy to announce that two Route 66 “Roadies” (fans of the Mother Road) have made a purchase offer for the … Continue reading Bank accepts offer for Boots Motel
Star Cash grocery in Commerce closes
Star Cash Grocery, which operated on old Route 66 in Commerce, Okla., since 1938, closed its doors last week, reported the Tulsa World today. "The economy and Walmart has forced the store to close down," Trease said. Large chain stores like Walmart and Dollar General are within a few of miles of Star Cash and … Continue reading Star Cash grocery in Commerce closes
Birthday time
This video from Rand McNally's BestoftheRoad.com was released this morning: https://vimeo.com/25967527
The ultimate Route 66 music playlist
Over the years, I've amassed on my iPod more than 200 songs for road trips. These are songs are mostly about driving, along with tunes about the towns and places along the Mother Road. This list, along with an excellent one compiled by the Federal Highway Administration, should give you music download ideas for your … Continue reading The ultimate Route 66 music playlist
Illinois-only store opens in Carlinville
A store that specializes only in Illinois-made products operates in a former post office building on the historic downtown square of Carlinville, Ill., according to the Arlington Heights Daily Herald. Carlinville -- and its square -- had an alignment of Route 66 from 1926 to 1932. It's called Market on the Square, run by a … Continue reading Illinois-only store opens in Carlinville
Pontiac tourism up 30% this year
Businesses and chambers of commerce along Route 66, take note -- data collected at the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum in Pontiac, Ill., indicate that tourism there has risen nearly 30 percent in 2011, compared to the same period a year ago. According to a news release today from Ellie Alexander, director … Continue reading Pontiac tourism up 30% this year
“I Shall Be Released”
This trio, called Davis, Crosby & Cowart, perform Bob Dylan's "I Shall Be Released" at the historic U-Drop Inn gas station on Route 66 in Shamrock, Texas. https://vimeo.com/25851967 This performance is impromptu. But the U-Drop Inn hosts free "Thursdays Under the Neon" music events in June, July and August.