OKC Biz published a story today about the pending sale of the historic 66 Bowl in Oklahoma City to a Spices of India grocery. The article contained this tidbit that I hadn't seen reported elsewhere: Owner Jim Haynes says he’s owned the 51-year-old, 25,880-square-foot bowling alley for 32 years. “I just had to (sell the … Continue reading Should have stuck with bowling
New Route 66 informational site launched
Route 66 websites come and go. But I thought this one is particularly noteworthy. DrivingRoute66.com, which describes itself as "one-stop resource for planning the road trip of a lifetime," comes from the brain and computer of Steve Bellamy of Wales. He and his wife drove all of Route 66 in 2007. He explains the purpose … Continue reading New Route 66 informational site launched
Johnnie’s Bar marks 50th year
Johnnie's Bar, a fixture on Route 66 in St. James, Mo., is marking its 50th year of business, according to the St. James Press. A bit of history ... Originally opened by John Bullock, Russ’ father, in the downtown plaza in 1952, the business moved to the corner of James Boulevard in 1960 where it … Continue reading Johnnie’s Bar marks 50th year
Lodging group criticizes Joplin tourism bureau
With less than a week before the Tri-State Route 66 Festival, this story from the Joplin Globe about a local lodging association expressing deep dissatisfaction about the Joplin Visitors and Convention Bureau sparked my interest. The lodging group is so irked by a precipitous drop in motel revenue that it is considering a campaign to … Continue reading Lodging group criticizes Joplin tourism bureau
Former Santa Rosa motel to be razed
The long-closed Coronado Court motor lodge, a 1930s-era Route 66 motel in Santa Rosa, N.M., soon will be torn down because it's about to collapse, according to the print edition this week of the Guadalupe County Communicator. Longtime owner Robert "Bobby" Serrano told the newspaper he feared the deteriorated adobe structures would fall apart while … Continue reading Former Santa Rosa motel to be razed
Behind the scenes of the Route 66 Bible series
Regardless of whether you love or loathe the "Route 66: A Road Trip through the Bible," you'll probably find this video interesting. It's a behind-the-scenes look on how segments are filmed. This one in particular is for the Book of Malachi. And here is the finished product: Since His Place Community Church has finished the … Continue reading Behind the scenes of the Route 66 Bible series
From the scene of the fire
Someone went beyond the police tape to videotape the remains of the Riviera Roadhouse restaurant on Route 66 in Gardner, Ill., which was destroyed by suspicious fire a few days ago. You'll also see brief footage of the Streetcar Diner, which was spared.
Severe flooding hits Oklahoma City region
Severe floods closed highways, snarled traffic, and inundated homes and businesses throughout the Oklahoma City region after 7 to 10 inches of rain fell Monday, according to varying news reports. And the worst part is that more rain is expected Monday night into Tuesday morning. Many roads remain impassable in Oklahoma City as of Monday … Continue reading Severe flooding hits Oklahoma City region
Fire guts bathhouse in historic Tucumcari park
A fire Saturday night all but destroyed the historic main building at Tucumcari Metropolitan Park, aka 5 Mile Park, along old Route 66 west of Tucumcari, N.M. Richard Talley at the Motel Safari reported in an e-mail: The walls seem to still be standing, but with no roof now, after a few rains, everything left … Continue reading Fire guts bathhouse in historic Tucumcari park
An amazing story
Do yourself a favor and read this story from the Kansas City Star about a TWA flight attendant who helped a grief-stricken husband find his missing infant son. The baby was thrown from the vehicle when the man's wife died in a car crash on Route 66 near Grants, N.M., in 1956. The woman who … Continue reading An amazing story