Central Illinois has long been praised as a haven for chili. And here's more proof with Taylor's Mexican Chili Parlor, 0n the old Illinois 4 alignment of Route 66 in Carlinville, Ill. Here's a fan of Taylor's: A little Internet surfing revealed that Taylor's Mexican Chili was established in 1904 in Carlinville. That's more than … Continue reading Chili that’s older than the road
Tire store on Route 66 marks 75th year
This is pretty amazing. Bay's Tire Service, at 112 E. Osage St. in Pacific, Mo., recently marked its 75th year at the same location and the same family ownership, reported the Washington Missourian. According to the story: Lee and Hazel Miles Bay purchased a farmhouse at present-day 112 E. Osage St. on the new Route … Continue reading Tire store on Route 66 marks 75th year
The challenges of a minicar cruise
The New York Times published a good article today about the hurdles that drivers encountered in during the recently completed microcar cruise on Route 66 from Santa Monica to Chicago. A few of those vehicles, many of which boasted itty-bitty engines of just 500 cc, encountered problems along the way: “When we got to Kingman, … Continue reading The challenges of a minicar cruise
Springfield festival will honor Bob Waldmire
The International Route 66 Mother Road Festival and Car Show in Springfield, Ill., on Sept. 24-26 will pay tribute to deceased Route 66 artist and area native Bob Waldmire, according to a preview story in the Springfield State Journal-Register. Organizers announced Wednesday that proceeds from the event will go toward the Illinois Route 66 Hall … Continue reading Springfield festival will honor Bob Waldmire
Caravan of motorcycles older than the Mother Road
Dozens of long-distance motorcycle cruises are organized on the Mother Road each year. But this one is too unusual to ignore. In a few days, the Pre-1916 Motorcycle Cannonball endurance run begins in Kitty Hawk, N.C., and ends 17 days later at the shores of Santa Monica, Calif. The caravan will drive on a large … Continue reading Caravan of motorcycles older than the Mother Road
Lincoln Motel sign gets face-lift next weekend
Volunteers with the Oklahoma Route 66 Association will put a new coat of paint on the historic Lincoln Motel's neon sign in Chandler, Okla., on Sept. 11-12, and you're invited to join the effort. Repainting will begin from about 8 a.m. and end at dark each day, weather permitting, at the motel at 740 E. … Continue reading Lincoln Motel sign gets face-lift next weekend
A cell built for two
Mark and Sarah Owens of TravelShorts.com recently took a three-week trip on Route 66. Here's a clip of an odd but fascinating attraction that gets frequently overlooked -- the two-cell jailhouse that was built more than a century ago in Gardner, Ill.
Bicycle trail hits a roadblock
John Fritsche, a cycling enthusiast who's been leading an effort to establish a 17-mile bicycle trail on an abandoned section of Route 66 between Staunton and Litchfield, Ill., said in a letter to the editor in The Journal-News in nearby Hillsboro that the project has run into a snag. The roadway is under the jurisdiction of … Continue reading Bicycle trail hits a roadblock
66 Bowl auction delayed
The auction of the contents for the 66 Bowl in Oklahoma City scheduled for Tuesday has been delayed to Oct. 1, reported the Daily Oklahoman. Auctioneer Louis Dakil said people can go the bowling alley at 10 a.m. Tuesday as planned and register and place advance bids. But because the closing of the bowling alley … Continue reading 66 Bowl auction delayed
And they call the thing rodeo
Though I've lived in Oklahoma more than six years, for the first time I attended the annual Will Rogers Memorial Rodeo in Vinita. Will Rogers, who grew up near Vinita and attended college there, promised townsfolk in 1934 he would return to Vinita if they put together a rodeo. Just weeks before the rodeo would … Continue reading And they call the thing rodeo