John Weeks, features editor of the Redlands (Calif.) Daily Facts, talks about the very first Route 66 Rendezvous in San Bernardino in 1990: On Sunday, the actual day of the Rendezvous, additional show cars showed up, and by the time spectators started to arrive there were about 300 gleaming pre-1967 automobiles on hand, most of … Continue reading Rendezvous turns 21
“Black Top”
Bob Hood, a singer and songwriter based in England, wrote this tune. I'll let Bob explain the story behind the song: I wrote this one early on in 2010. I intended to write a song about Neil Young driving down from Chicago to LA, but ended up writing about the people who live and love … Continue reading “Black Top”
Glimmer of hope over Route 66 bridge
St. Louis Route 66 enthusiast Joe Sonderman said he felt considerably more optimistic about the fate of the deteriorating Meramec River-Route 66 Bridge near Eureka, Mo., after a public hearing Wednesday with Missouri Department of Transportation officials and Route 66 stakeholders. Sonderman said on his Facebook account later that night: I have to say after … Continue reading Glimmer of hope over Route 66 bridge
Arcadia Round Barn awarded a grant
The Round Barn on Route 66 in Arcadia, Okla., was awarded a $2,500 grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, according to a news release today. The seed grant funds will be used to develop a preservation plan for the historical Round Barn. This report contains data, historical facts, photographs, drawings, structure assessment, video, … Continue reading Arcadia Round Barn awarded a grant
Agency will honor restoration of two Illinois Route 66 landmarks
The Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program soon will honor groups' work to two historic landmarks along Route 66 in Illinois, according to news releases from the agency. The landmarks are Soulsby Station in Mount Olive and Sprague's Super Service station in Normal. The ceremony for Soulsby Station Society will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. … Continue reading Agency will honor restoration of two Illinois Route 66 landmarks
Neon signs of Oklahoma City
Here's a very good video of past and present neon signs in Oklahoma City, some of them on Route 66. Okiedokiegames, who shot the photos and uploaded the video, seems to have more clips up his or her sleeve. This video is listed as "Part 1" of "Neon Signs of Oklahoma." I'm looking forward to … Continue reading Neon signs of Oklahoma City
A car dealership design out of the past
Car dealerships along Route 66 that are considering major renovations, take note -- one in Oklahoma is showing how it should be done. Bolin Ford, a dealership on Route 66 in Bristow, Okla., that was heavily damaged by fire in December 2008, is rebuilding in a style that matches Bristow's historic downtown architecture and pays … Continue reading A car dealership design out of the past
Route 66 Sodas wins packaging award
Route 66 Sodas LLC in Lebanon, Mo., won a Clear Choice Award today from the Glass Packaging Institute in the Carbonated Beverage Category. From the news release about the awards: “As always, the entries for GPI’s 2010 Clear Choice Awards represent some of the best in new packaging and show off the great innovation and … Continue reading Route 66 Sodas wins packaging award
HOG alert
The Harley Owners Group's Motoring the Mother Road event started in Chicago on Sunday and is making its way down the Mother Road. Route 66 author Michael Wallis is in tow. The group will gather at the Cyrus Avery Centennial Plaza, aka the 11th Street Bridge, in Tulsa about 9 a.m. Friday. According to a … Continue reading HOG alert
Observations from a preservation project
Here are a few random thoughts about the sign preservation project that volunteers with the Oklahoma Route 66 Association completed this past weekend at the Lincoln Motel in Chandler, Okla.: 1. Don't use household latex paint on an outdoors sign. This advice may seem elementary, but it became apparent during prepping that the Lincoln Motel's … Continue reading Observations from a preservation project