The historic Riviera Roadhouse on Route 66 in Gardner, Ill., was destroyed by fire Tuesday night and is still burning, according to an e-mail I received from the editor of The Braidwood Journal. The historic Route 66 restaurant and lounge was owned and operated for decades by Bob and Peggy Kraft until the two retired … Continue reading Riviera Roadhouse destroyed by fire
Photo-op building in Kingman will be razed
A building in Kingman, Ariz., that was decorated in a Harley Davidson motorcycle theme and frequently used by Route 66 travelers as a photo opportunity will be razed by the railroad, reported the Kingman Daily Miner. The Burlington Northern-Santa Fe railroad owns the structure, and it's fallen to into disrepair, including part of the roof … Continue reading Photo-op building in Kingman will be razed
Can’t see the bottles for the trees
Here's a good video that shows the Bottletree Forest, made by Elmer Long, along Route 66 in Oro Grande, Calif. The clip shows how wonderfully weird the whole place is. Long's blog is here, although it's updated only sporadically.
Not a wallflower
The International Walldog Mural and Sign Art Museum in Pontiac, Ill., has seen hundreds of visitors since opening May 1, according to a report in the Bloomington Pantagraph. "We have been doing really well, and we are getting visitors from all over," said museum manager Kristen Mehlberg. "We've had visitors from 15 states and seven … Continue reading Not a wallflower
Former Exotic World opens in Las Vegas
(Editor's note: Despite the somewhat risqué subject matter, all of the links are safe and contain no nudity.) The Burlesque Hall of Fame, formerly Exotic World Museum off Route 66 in Helendale, Calif., opened to the public in its new digs in downtown Las Vegas this week, reports the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Exotic World became a treasured … Continue reading Former Exotic World opens in Las Vegas
“Sur la Route 66”
I don't understand the language, but the arrangement grabbed me almost instantly. This is French actor and singer Eddy Mitchell on "Sur la Route 66." (Note: The animation is sorta interesting, but not terribly germane, I reckon.) Anyone have a translation? UPDATE: Vincent Desmonts has provided a translation to English here.
Last frame coming for 66 Bowl
The historic 66 Bowl of Oklahoma City has been sold to an India grocer, and its last bowling frame will occur in mid-August. Spices of India, down the road from the 66 Bowl on the Northwest 39th Street alignment of Route 66, has bought the bowling center and concert venue, reported Oklahoma Route 66 expert … Continue reading Last frame coming for 66 Bowl
Notes from the road
(Editor's note: This is my Catch Up from the Memorial Day Holiday Edition.) Actor and director Dennis Hopper died over the weekend after a long bout with prostate cancer. He was 74. A memorial service and burial was held Wednesday at a church in his beloved Taos, N.M., where he lived for years. Although a … Continue reading Notes from the road
Wagon Wheel Motel reopens to travelers
The Wagon Wheel Motel in Cuba, Mo., will partially reopen to travelers this weekend, then will have a full opening the following weekend, according to its owner. This comes after months of renovations on the historic Route 66 property. Owner Connie Echols, who bought the motel in fall 2009, said three rooms will be available … Continue reading Wagon Wheel Motel reopens to travelers
Programming note
I just got back home from traveling during the Memorial Day weekend, with very little Internet access the entire time. So I'll be playing catch-up on the news along Route 66 in the next day or so. Nothing really big or urgent had occurred, but I think you'll find some of the items I'll be … Continue reading Programming note