The Arlington Heights (Ill.) Daily Herald caught up with 71-year-old Emory Duick and his quest to walk all of Route 66. According to the newspaper, Duick had made his way to the Albuquerque area two days ago. He has less than 1,000 miles to go to Santa Monica, and covers about 10 miles a day. … Continue reading Route 66 walker update
Vega Motel goes on auction block
The historic Vega Motel on Route 66 in Vega, Texas, is going to be the subject of a sealed-bid auction because of delinquent taxes. Here's the notice about the auction: Oldham County Appraisal District is taking sealed bids on the Vega Motel, Lots Numbered Six (6), Seven (7), Eight (8), Nine (9) and Ten (10), … Continue reading Vega Motel goes on auction block
Edwardsville to bring back Route 66 festival
After a one-year hiatus, the Route 66 Festival in Edwardsville, Ill., will return in 2010, reports the Edwardsville Intelligencer. Edwardsville and nearby Glen Carbon decided this year to combine forces, along with coinciding an event with Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville's Homecoming, for a Fall Fest in early October. However, the story makes it clear that poor … Continue reading Edwardsville to bring back Route 66 festival
Vintage gas station is the real thing
This isn't on Route 66, but it's so cool and unique that it's noteworthy. The town of La Grande, Ore., contains a 1959 Texaco gas station that actually works for its intended purpose. There are plenty of well-preserved vintage gas stations around the country, but this is the only one that I'm aware of that … Continue reading Vintage gas station is the real thing
A closer look at El Rancho Grande
Greater Tulsa Reporter Newspapers has published a well-done article about El Rancho Grande, the oldest surviving restaurant on 11th Street (aka Route 66) in Tulsa. The news hook is the restaurant's recently restored and unique neon sign. But the story also contains a nice overview about the development of Tex-Mex cuisine in Tulsa (and the … Continue reading A closer look at El Rancho Grande
Oklahoma, Arizona Route 66 awarded new road designations
Oklahoma Route 66 was designated a National Scenic Byway, and Arizona's Route 66 was given All-American Road status in an announcement by the U.S. Department of Transportation chief Ray LaHood on Friday. LaHood said: “By enriching the National Scenic Byways program with their own unique historical or aesthetic quality, these new additions help our national … Continue reading Oklahoma, Arizona Route 66 awarded new road designations
More “Cars” toys released
The Disney/Pixar animated movie "Cars" was released over three years ago, and people still are collecting the toys and other memorabilia that the film spawned. "Cars" wasn't Pixar's biggest hit, but memorabilia has generated hundreds of millions of dollars in sales. Longtime Texas Route 66 fan Becky Ransom, who's a collector of "Cars" stuff herself, … Continue reading More “Cars” toys released
Hello from Belgium
This is a version of "Route 66" sung by Elliott Murphy. But the guy who steals the show is blues harmonica player Ben Lambrechts.
Refurbishing old vehicles
The Tulsa World had a couple of articles last week about old vehicles being restored to as good as new in Oklahoma. The first was about the Maggie M, an electric trolley that served the Route 66 town of Sapulpa from 1919 to 1933. After it was taken out of service, the trolley sat decaying … Continue reading Refurbishing old vehicles
Dedication of Red Fork Centennial Oil Derrick
I went Friday afternoon to the official dedication of the Red Fork Centennial Oil Derrick, which is an exact-size replica of an important early derrick that stood during the oil-boom days of southwest Tulsa. The 154-foot-tall derrick has been finished for several months. It's part of a Route 66 Station park that's still under development. … Continue reading Dedication of Red Fork Centennial Oil Derrick