The Omnibus Public Lands Bill, which contains a measure to reauthorize the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program for another 10 years, will be voted on by the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday or Wednesday, according to KC Earth Notes, a blog affiliated with the Kansas City Star. The bill was easily approved by the … Continue reading Lands bill will be voted on this week
Follies performer makes record book
Dorothy Dale Kloss, 85, a performer with the Fabulous Palm Springs Follies during its season-long musical salute to Route 66 in "Get Your Kicks," was recently confirmed by the 2009 Guinness Book of World Records as the "world's oldest still-performing showgirl." According to the Follies: She has been tap dancing on the Follies' stage for … Continue reading Follies performer makes record book
Motel history
David Wilkening at Hotel Interactive has a pretty good article about historic motels along Route 66. Not only does Wilkening talk to longtime roadies Johnnie Meier and Jim Conkle, but he speaks with the owners of the Motel Safari in Tucumcari, N.M.; the Rodeway Inn in Williams, Ariz., Wild West Junction of Williams; and the … Continue reading Motel history
Nothing minor about it
Llewellyn Toulmin has a story in The Sentinal Newspapers about a trip on Route 66, with most of the material taking place in Illinois and Missouri. Then there's this passage: The history of Route 66 is fascinating but complicated. It was not envisioned as a major road at first, as witnessed by its number. In … Continue reading Nothing minor about it
Joliet business adds kitsch to Route 66
Noting the Route 66 attractions on the Broadway alignment of Joliet, Ill., Dick's Towing decided to get into the act, according to the Herald News. He pulled two vintage vehicles from storage and had them hoisted to the top of a block building he owns on the southeastern edge of his property on the 900 … Continue reading Joliet business adds kitsch to Route 66
A chat with Michael Zadoorian
Because of Michael Zadoorian, historic Route 66 may have not one, but two opportunities for high-profile publicity. Zadoorian's novel "The Leisure Seeker" was published last week. The story of an ailing elderly couple from Detroit driving down Route 66 for a final vacation together (review here) is entertaining and poignant enough that one could easily … Continue reading A chat with Michael Zadoorian
Help protect the Pony Bridge
A few weeks ago, I read that the state of Oklahoma was putting together a list of bridges slated for repairs or replacement in the next decade or so. I'm for safe bridges as much as the next person. But I was concerned that the Pony Bridge, the amazing 38-truss span built in 1933 on … Continue reading Help protect the Pony Bridge
Three more Route 66 restaurants featured on Food Network
The Salsa Brava restaurant on Route 66 in Flagstaff, Ariz., was featured on the Food Network's popular "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives" program on Monday night, reported the Arizona Daily Sun. According to the Food Network Web site, the segment, "Return to Route 66," is an eastward tour of Route 66, with stops at Salsa Brava, … Continue reading Three more Route 66 restaurants featured on Food Network
Route 66, by way of New Orleans
This jam session during a version of Bobby Troup's "Route 66" is smoking hot. You've got Doc Alters on harmonica, Renee Manning on vocals, Earl McIntyre on trombone, Steve Simon on clarinet, and a few members of the Fabulous Thunderbirds as the rhythm section. It's definitely got a Crescent City feel.
Historic real estate site launched
For those seeking or wanting to sell historic property along Route 66, a new site launched last week that may provide a good resourse for such things. HistoricForSale.com, a subsidiary of PreservationDirectory.com, launched on Wednesday. It's an online directory of vintage homes and historic commercial property for sale, and real-estate agents who specialize in such … Continue reading Historic real estate site launched