Urban Tulsa, an alternative weekly newspaper, published an interesting article about the longstanding rivalry between the Route 66 communities of Tulsa and Oklahoma City. Among the people interviewed was Michael Wallis, author of "Route 66: The Mother Road" and a longtime Tulsa resident. The story is long, but worth your time.
Freeway project may improve Route 66 access
Improvements to Interstate 215 in San Bernardino, Calif., may ease travelers' access to Mount Vernon Avenue, an old alignment of Route 66, reports the San Bernardino County Sun. The improvements include several new exit ramps off the freeway by 2013 for Second, Third and Fifth streets as well as Base Line. Currently, drivers sometimes have … Continue reading Freeway project may improve Route 66 access
Governor opposes Mojave monument plan
A proposal to create a Mother Road National Monument across California's Mojave Desert has encountered opposition from Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's office, reported the Inland Press-Enterprise. The article says the governor opposes the project because it would halt solar-energy projects there. However, it's reported that Sen. Diane Feinstein is working on a scaled-down compromise. At issue … Continue reading Governor opposes Mojave monument plan
Critter along the road
We spotted this tarantula crossing gravel-road Route 66 between Glenrio and San Jon, N.M., a few days ago. With its legs spread out, it was bigger than your fist. It was about an hour before sundown, so it probably was early in its hunting session. Mike Callens at TeePee Curios in nearby Tucumcari said that … Continue reading Critter along the road
Route 66 Alliance lays out its goals
This was mostly reported a few days ago at the Route 66 Festival in Flagstaff, Ariz., but I'm printing this news release that came today verbatim, with minor editing: Route 66 Alliance Tulsa, Oklahoma We are pleased to officially announce the Route 66 Alliance has been established as a 501(c)3 corporation. Our nonprofit status is … Continue reading Route 66 Alliance lays out its goals
More POPS psychedelia
Here's another video of the landmark 66-foot-tall pop bottle at POPS in Arcadia, Okla. The music soundtrack certainly helps convey a groovy sensibility. I have little doubt that scientists a million years from now will think the bottle had some sort of religious significance, instead of it being a roadside gimmick.
Historic Mayo Hotel reopens in Tulsa
The iconic Mayo Hotel in downtown Tulsa, which had been shuttered for almost 30 years, held a limited "soft" opening Monday, reported the Tulsa World. The Mayo, at 115 W. Fifth St., is about two blocks from the downtown Route 66 alignment of Seventh Street. The Mayo dates to the 1920s, is listed on the … Continue reading Historic Mayo Hotel reopens in Tulsa
New videos from the Mother Road
DiscoverOklahoma, which is part of the Oklahoma Department of Tourism, today posted two videos about Route 66. One is about Afton Station in Afton; the other is about the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton.
Route 66 display being installed in Carthage
A Route 66 historical display that mimics the original Boots Drive-In restaurant in Carthage, Mo., is being installed now at the iconic Jasper County Courthouse in Carthage, reports the Joplin Globe. At 18 feet wide and 13 feet tall, the display is a representation of the front of the former drive-in that will hold artifacts … Continue reading Route 66 display being installed in Carthage
Partridge Creek alignment may be developed
Arizona Route 66 aficionado Jeff Jensen noticed that a semi-obscure alignment of old Route 66 east of the Crookton Road exit of Interstate 40, west of Ash Fork, suddenly had recently sprouted a bunch of "for sale" signs. This is what is called the Partridge Creek section of Route 66. Swa Frantzen's Historic66.com site provides … Continue reading Partridge Creek alignment may be developed