The 114-year-old Santa Fe Depot in Santa Fe, New Mexico, recently reopened to the public after going through two years and $1.6 million in renovations. The depot is just a couple of blocks west of the 1926-1937 alignment of Route 66 in Santa Fe. And because many Route 66 fans also are railroad buffs, many … Continue reading Historic Santa Fe Depot reopens after extensive renovations
Springfield’s Abou Ben Adhem Shrine Mosque marking its 100th anniversary this month
The fabled Abou Ben Adhem Shrine Mosque along Route 66 in Springfield, Missouri, is holding a 100th birthday celebration party on Oct. 21. According to an excellent article in the Springfield News-Leader (including cool photos of the shrine's construction), the shrine's recorder says it's the only building along Route 66 in Springfield being used for … Continue reading Springfield’s Abou Ben Adhem Shrine Mosque marking its 100th anniversary this month
Longtime owner of The Comet II Restaurant and Drive-In in Santa Rosa dies
Johnny Martinez Jr., the longtime owner and chef of the landmark Comet II Restaurant and Drive-In in Santa Rosa, New Mexico, died Friday. He was 88. One local expressed his condolences: The town's former newspaper publisher weighed in: According to his obituary: At an early age Johnny became interested in cooking and made it a … Continue reading Longtime owner of The Comet II Restaurant and Drive-In in Santa Rosa dies
Old Joliet Prison designated to National Register of Historic Places
The Old Joliet Prison, aka Joliet Correctional Center or Illinois State Penitentiary, in Joliet, Illinois, recently was designated to the National Register of Historic Places. The designation was effective Sept. 25, according to an email Friday from the National Park Service that administers the program. Two years ago, the City of Joliet received a $35,000 grant from … Continue reading Old Joliet Prison designated to National Register of Historic Places
Near-total solar eclipse will occur in much of New Mexico on Oct. 14
A lot of New Mexico and a sizable chunk of its Route 66 will experience a near-total solar eclipse on the morning of Oct. 14. The eclipse on that day is described as an annular eclipse -- when the moon passes between the sun but is at or near its farthest point from Earth. As … Continue reading Near-total solar eclipse will occur in much of New Mexico on Oct. 14
Mr. Powdrell’s Barbecue closing its Albuquerque Central Avenue location after 50+ years
Mr. Powdrell's Barbecue House is closing its Central Avenue location in Albuquerque at the end of this month after more than 50 years at that Route 66 location. Albuquerque Business First (subscription required) reported the restaurant at 11301 Central Ave. NE will close on Sept. 30. Mr. Powdrell's second location at 5209 4th St. NW … Continue reading Mr. Powdrell’s Barbecue closing its Albuquerque Central Avenue location after 50+ years
Joliet history museum to open Slovenian grocery store museum on Sunday
The Joliet Area Historical Museum on Sunday will open the circa-1920s Planinsek Grocery and Meat Market in Joliet, Illinois, as a house museum. The market at 1314 Elizabeth St. (map here) will have free admission that day. After that, the Planinsek Grocery will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday until … Continue reading Joliet history museum to open Slovenian grocery store museum on Sunday
University of Tulsa to host photographer Edward Keating’s “Lost Dream of Route 66” exhibit
The University of Tulsa next month is hosting Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Edward Keating's "Main Street: The Lost Dream of Route 66" exhibit that was published as a book a few years ago. The exhibit by the Oklahoma Center for the Humanities at 101 E. Archer St. will run from Oct. 6 through Nov. 18. Here's … Continue reading University of Tulsa to host photographer Edward Keating’s “Lost Dream of Route 66” exhibit
Kingman Route 66 Fest next month is adding a Cadillac Ranch Experience
Want to spraypaint one of the cars at the Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas, but can't get there? The third annual Kingman Route 66 Fest in Kingman, Arizona, on Oct. 13-14 offers a facsimile of that. The festival is offering a Cadillac Ranch Experience. The news release explains: Brand new to the Fest this year! … Continue reading Kingman Route 66 Fest next month is adding a Cadillac Ranch Experience
Tesla’s 24-hour diner and drive-in theater opening in West Hollywood later this year
Tesla is close to opening a 24-hour diner, drive-in theater and supercharger station along Route 66 in West Hollywood, California, reported Forbes magazine. In a recent tweet, Tesla founder Elon Musk stated: "Our Tesla futuristic diner (Grease meets The Jetsons with Supercharging) in LA should be ready later this year." Forbes dug up more details: … Continue reading Tesla’s 24-hour diner and drive-in theater opening in West Hollywood later this year