This slipped through my radar, but the original Bob's Big Boy restaurant was established on Route 66 in the Eagle Rock neighborhood of Los Angeles. Dan Kimpel of the Eagle Rock Patch dug up details about the eatery, which now boasts more than 100 restaurants in America and is best-known by its portly, smiling mascot. … Continue reading Original Big Boy restaurant was on Route 66
Frankoma Pottery remains in limbo
A well-researched story this week in the Tulsa Business Journal tells about the sad state of affairs of the closed Frankoma Pottery business in nearby Sapulpa, Okla., off old Route 66. Closed March 19 last year, the plant’s telephone numbers are out of service, and the home page for its website, www.frankoma.com, simply reads, “This site … Continue reading Frankoma Pottery remains in limbo
Longtime manager buys, reopens Eisler Bros. Store
That was a short hiatus. Scott Nelson, longtime manager of the historic Eisler Bros. Old Riverton Store in Riverton, Kan., has purchased and reopened the business after it was shut down indefinitely Dec. 5 during ownership wrangling. Eisler Bros. reopened Friday. Nelson, who's managed the Route 66 grocery and souvenir shop since 1980, said in … Continue reading Longtime manager buys, reopens Eisler Bros. Store
Name that baseball team
The new Frontier League baseball team in Joliet, Ill., soon will begin its inaugural season, and it is asking its potential fan base to come up with a name: We have held some brainstorming sessions and come up with a list of names. BUT… We know that someone out there may have a better idea! … Continue reading Name that baseball team
Vega Motel shows signs of new life
The Vega Motel boasts a new owner who's converted part of the historic Route 66 motel in Vega, Texas, into a business center, and wants to reopen part of the property for overnight guests again. Darren Elliott, pastor of Christ's Community Fellowship church in Vega, bought the property during a tax auction in June, remodeled a … Continue reading Vega Motel shows signs of new life
Triangle Motel named to National Register
The Triangle Motel in Amarillo, Texas, was added to the National Register of Historic Places effective Dec. 7, according to an e-mail today from the National Park Service. The State Board of Review unanimously voted in late September to recommend the Route 66 motel to the National Register, so the national listing was deemed all … Continue reading Triangle Motel named to National Register
Launching Pad Drive-In put up for sale
The Launching Pad Drive-In restaurant of Wilmington, Ill., made famous by its 28-foot-tall astronaut Gemini Giant mascot that stands next to Route 66, has been put up for sale and appears to be closed at least temporarily. Longtime Route 66 advocate John Weiss, a Wilmington resident, took note of the restaurant's closing a few days … Continue reading Launching Pad Drive-In put up for sale
Gillioz Theatre faces possible foreclosure
The historic Gillioz Theatre in Springfield, Mo., is urging supporters to dig deep into their pockets to prevent a possible New Year's Eve foreclosure, reported the Springfield News-Leader. The Gillioz was built in 1926 on Route 66 near downtown. The Springfield Landmarks Preservation Trust guided a $10 million restoration and reopened the theater in 2006. However, … Continue reading Gillioz Theatre faces possible foreclosure
Man finishes cross-country run
Using the 1928 Bunion Derby as his inspiration, John Radich recently completed his transcontinental run from Santa Monica to Atlantic City, N.J. -- two-thirds of it on Route 66. The Pasadena (Calif.) Star-News caught up with Radich, who lives in nearby Monrovia. It required four months, 20 days and seven pairs of shoes for him … Continue reading Man finishes cross-country run
Hello from Guatemala
Guatemala is about 2,000 miles from the closest point of Route 66. However, that doesn't prevent musicians in that nation from singing about it. This video shows road scenes in Guatemala, but includes Bobby Troup's famous tune. (Hat tip: Frank Kocevar of Historic Seligman Sundries)