The new owner of the Wagon Wheel Motel in Cuba, Mo., has set up a Facebook page for that historic Route 66 motel. From a news release from Viva Cuba: According to the new owner Connie Echols, “The Facebook page offers a little history, some construction updates, and information about what the gift shop has … Continue reading Wagon Wheel Motel is now on Facebook
Illinois Route 66 Association announces its Hall of Fame inductees
The Illinois Route 66 Association announced its Class of 2010 for its Route 66 Hall of Fame. Here is the complete list, courtesy of the association: 817 Hillsboro (known as Halley's) in Edwardsville The building at 817 Hillsboro in Edwardsville was built in 1914 and started as a cash & carry mom-and-pop market called Barns … Continue reading Illinois Route 66 Association announces its Hall of Fame inductees
The Mother Road yo-yo
The Chico Yo-Yo Company, a firm dedicated to "precision-machined yo-yos," has just introduced its latest model, called the Route 66. This is the feel of the classic American car – a car with power, weight, and style. The Route 66 is our testament to this feel. A yo-yo that you will enjoy for hours on … Continue reading The Mother Road yo-yo
Notes from the road
A public hearing has been scheduled regarding the future of the Bird Creek Bridge on Oklahoma 66 near Catoosa. The westbound Bird Creek Bridge, which dates to 1936, is part of the so-called Twin Bridges part of Route 66 there. The meeting by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation is set for 6 p.m. April 20 … Continue reading Notes from the road
‘A John Hughes movie’ on Route 66
Brad Hansen, a 26-year-old Iowa native, has just finished his first feature-length film, "Driver's Ed Mutiny," that takes place on Route 66. Hansen told the Muscatine (Iowa) Journal that he sought to make a "Breakfast Club" movie on wheels. "I set out to make a modern-day John Hughes movie," Hansen said. "I was sad to … Continue reading ‘A John Hughes movie’ on Route 66
Remaking the Nelson Tavern
Willem Bor of the Netherlands won't be in Lebanon, Mo., until June to dedicate his painstakingly detailed diorama of the old Nelson Tavern in the Lebanon/Laclede County Route 66 Society's museum. However, Bor made a video that shows how the Nelson Tavern diorama was done. Bor's Web site about his upcoming Route 66 trip is … Continue reading Remaking the Nelson Tavern
Roadkill Cafe sponsors motorcycle racers
The Roadkill Cafe, a restaurant in Seligman, Ariz., that's popular with Route 66 travelers, is sponsoring Road Kill Racers, a sidecar motorcycle racing team, according to a news release at Roadracingworld.com. This sponsorship deal is an effort to promote the tourist industry in which racing is very much part of the travels required by all … Continue reading Roadkill Cafe sponsors motorcycle racers
Time-lapse journey
Sandi Wheaton, the Canadian woman who traveled Route 66 after losing her job in the Detroit auto industry, has posted a few short clips from her time-lapse photography project of the Mother Road. The first is the start of Route 66 in Chicago: The next is driving into a rain storm in New Mexico: Last … Continue reading Time-lapse journey
Cruising with Link Wray
Here's a slide show of motel-sign images, accompanied by Link Wray's version of "Begin the Beguine." Not all of the signs are on Route 66, but the signs are cool anyway.
Referendum for Joplin museum expansion fails
A one-sixth sales-tax referendum that would have financed the conversion of Memorial Hall into expanded digs for the Joplin Museum Complex failed by a 4-to-1 margin, according to unofficial results tabulated Tuesday night by the Joplin Globe. According to the Globe shortly after 10 p.m. Tuesday, the referendum gained just 928 "yes" votes against 3,882 "no" votes. … Continue reading Referendum for Joplin museum expansion fails