Gus Lizalde, proprietor of the Chambless66 blog dedicated to the Mojave Desert ghost town of Chambless, Calif., says he's "getting close" to beginning reconstruction of Chambless. To assist this project, he's seeking vintage photos of Chambless and the surrounding area, including Cadiz Summit and the Road Runner Cafe. You can e-mail images to design1one(at)aol(dot)com. "We … Continue reading Vintage photos of Chambless, surrounding area wanted
Scotty’s Route 66 soon will change owners
A purchase offer for Scotty's Route 66 Bar and Grill in Hamel, Ill., has been agreed to in principle, and the closing on the deal will occur May 21, says current co-owner Jim Allen. Allen says he hasn't yet met the new owners, who hail from the nearby Edwardsville-Granite City area. He and his wife … Continue reading Scotty’s Route 66 soon will change owners
Illinois reopens 11 historic sites
The state of Illinois has reopened 11 historic sites, including the Dana-Thomas House in Springfield, that were closed in December as a cost-cutting move by now-deposed governor Rod Blagojevich, reported the Chicago Tribune. Gov. Pat Quinn ordered the reopening of the sites on April 15. He said Blagojevich's move was a "huge blunder" that cost … Continue reading Illinois reopens 11 historic sites
Artist to publish drawings, recipes from Route 66
Artist David Alan Badger of Havana, Ill., plans to publish seven books of his drawings, history and recipes from scenic byways in Illinois, including Route 66, reported the Peoria Journal Star. Badger, who has been drawing for more than 20 years, said the books will help bring attention and tourism to the towns along the … Continue reading Artist to publish drawings, recipes from Route 66
Route 66 shield reinstalled on Cyrus Avery walkway
As expected, Claude Neon on Thursday reinstalled the Route 66 shield on the walkway at the Cyrus Avery Route 66 Memorial Plaza in Tulsa, reported KOTV. The LED shield was vandalized last year. Claude Neon installed a protective screen, designed by Steve Vogt, to dissuade future mischief. It would have been easy to come up … Continue reading Route 66 shield reinstalled on Cyrus Avery walkway
“Glenrio”
Here's a new video of Melissa McClelland performing "Glenrio," from her new album "Victoria Day." The song was inspired by a brief visit to Glenrio, the ghost town on Route 66 along the Texas-New Mexico border. The studio version of the song also is being streamed on her Web site. (Via Vue Weekly)
Rock Cafe update
While doing some other Route 66-related work in the Stroud, Okla., area on Tuesday, I decided to drop in on the Rock Cafe in town and see how the rebuilding was going since the restaurant was gutted by a fire nearly a year ago. As you can see, the roof is nearly complete: One of … Continue reading Rock Cafe update
Blink and you’ll miss it
A quick-eyed reader reports that the Fox network animated comedy "American Dad" very briefly contained a Route 66 shield during its latest Sunday night episode. I watched it online, and sure enough, there it is, right about the 17-minute mark, during a car-chase scene. Here's a screen capture of the scene that contains the shield, … Continue reading Blink and you’ll miss it
Dedication ceremony set for Meadow Gold sign
The City of Tulsa has set a date of May 22 for a public dedication ceremony for the restoration and rebuilding of the historic Meadow Gold sign, now located at Quaker Avenue and 11th Street (aka Route 66). The dedication will begin at 11 a.m. that day. Dennis Whitaker, with the city's Planning Department, said … Continue reading Dedication ceremony set for Meadow Gold sign
Kingman declares May as Route 66 Month
John Salem, the mayor of Kingman, Ariz., declared May as Route 66 Month for the city during a recent proclamation, reported the fledgling Kingman Route 66 Association. Nice. Politicians typically declare a day or week to commemorate a certain person or thing. But dedicating a month is more substantial. May is traditionally the month for … Continue reading Kingman declares May as Route 66 Month