Generally, I appreciate all of the Route 66-related articles that Helium.com has posted in recent weeks. However, there is one exception: the "Places to avoid while traveling on Route 66" by Eva Perry, which is loaded with inaccuracies or ill-conceived warnings. I'll summarize the problems that Perry sees on the Mother Road: A vaguely mentioned … Continue reading An article to avoid
Joplin museum may be moved into depot
The Joplin Museum Complex in Joplin, Mo., may be moved into the historic Union Depot under a downtown development plan outlined by the city manager, according to the Joplin Globe. According to the newspaper, museum officials are set to discuss the proposal involving the nearly 100-year-old structure on Tuesday. They said they would remain publicly … Continue reading Joplin museum may be moved into depot
An unlikely spot for a canyon
Last week, we made a side trip from Route 66 in Texas to Palo Duro Canyon, which is about 30 miles south of Amarillo. It's definitely worth checking out. The canyon lies in an unlikely spot. Like much of the Texas Panhandle, the nearby terrain is as flat as a tabletop. But, suddenly, when less … Continue reading An unlikely spot for a canyon
Sequel to CNG tour is planned
Mark McConville and Keith Barfield, the duo from Alabama who just finished a tour of Route 66 in a 1966 Pontiac GTO powered by compressed natural gas, is planning to do it again next year, reports the Birmingham News. This time, McConville and Barfield are hoping others who support their efforts to lessen America's dependence on … Continue reading Sequel to CNG tour is planned
Illinois Route 66 ambassador chosen
Freelance photographer Matthew Comer, 28, of Manchester, England, was picked as the United Kingdom's first Illinois Route 66 Ambassador from more than 100 candidates, according to a story today in This Is Lancashire. Following the nationwide search, Matthew has won the ultimate trip of a lifetime to Illinois where he will travel the iconic Route … Continue reading Illinois Route 66 ambassador chosen
What happened to the Texola monument?
A few days ago, I received an e-mail from Corkey Mayberry of Park Hills, Mo., asking me to solve a mystery. In September 1955, he and his wife were on a Route 66 trip. The couple stopped to have their picture taken at a sizable stone monument in Texola, Okla., marking the spot of the … Continue reading What happened to the Texola monument?
Take the byway that’s the best
Here's a nicely compact video about the Route 66 National Scenic Byway in New Mexico:
For sale, piece by piece
This video clip from the 2006 documentary "Route 66 by Bicycle: Pedaling the Mother Road" tells about a fascinating section of abandoned Route 66 near Arcadia, Okla., that's been put up for sale -- in 1-foot sections for $66 apiece. Better yet, the cyclists actually got to travel down the old road a bit. The … Continue reading For sale, piece by piece
Victorville museum volunteer marks milestone
The California Route 66 Museum in Victorville in a few months will mark its 15th anniversary, and longtime museum volunteer and officer Charlotte “Chick” Kirk recently celebrated her 80th birthday, reported the Victorville Daily Press. The story behind Kirk's involvement in the museum: The museum opened on Nov. 11, 1995. On that very day, Kirk … Continue reading Victorville museum volunteer marks milestone
New plant sign touts Webb City’s Route 66 heritage
Cardinal Scale Manufacturing Co. in Webb City, Mo., is marking its 60th anniversary and just opened a new building in town, according to the Joplin Globe. That's certainly noteworthy, but the real point of interest for Route 66 enthusiasts lurks in the plans for the land near the Cardinal Scale plant: Mayor John Biggs said … Continue reading New plant sign touts Webb City’s Route 66 heritage