Douglas Knight, a photographer based in Amarillo, Texas, has alerted me to his new Route 66 Rest Stop site. It's a place for him to display his photographs from Route 66 and to sell them. He's also selling keychains, magnets, bookmarks and other merchandise. His stuff also is being sold at the National Route 66 … Continue reading An online rest stop
Suicide Bridge
The LAist has a story about the Colorado Street Bridge in Pasadena, Calif., which once carried Route 66 on the way to Los Angeles. Here's a startling fact about the 1913 bridge that gives it its nickname: Six years after the construction the first suicide took place, and it is now estimated that more than … Continue reading Suicide Bridge
Hello from Japan
I don't know who this pianist is, other than he's from Japan. But this arrangement of "Route 66" is superb.
New song takes place on Route 66 in Texas
The Gourds, a folk-rock band out of Texas, has a song, "All the Way to Jericho," on its new album, "Haymaker!" that takes place on Route 66 in the Lone Star State. The Jericho in the song, according to a review in Pitchfork Media, refers to the notorious Jericho Gap of old Route 66 in … Continue reading New song takes place on Route 66 in Texas
Changes in Route 66 Preservation Program
Changes are afoot in the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program. Longtime program manager Michael Romero Taylor has moved on to a new post at the National Parks Service's National Trails office. His cohort for the entire tenure of the program, Kaisa Barthuli, will become the acting program manager until it sunsets late this year -- … Continue reading Changes in Route 66 Preservation Program
If you want tourism dollars, be tourism-friendly
This excerpt in an article in the Bloomington (Ill.) Pantagraph caught my attention: Between June 2006 and June 2007, the tourism industry funneled about $29.5 million through neighboring Logan County. During that same time, DeWitt County counted about $9.1 million. “I understand that Logan County is twice the size of DeWitt County in terms of … Continue reading If you want tourism dollars, be tourism-friendly
A look at the Arcadia Route 66 exhibit
The Pasadena (Calif.) Star-News went over to the Ruth and Charles Gilb Arcadia Historical Museum in Arcadia, Calif., and checked out the Route 66 exhibition there. And it sounds like the folks who put it together did a good job: On display in the museum's right-hand corridor are photos, maps and artifacts that trace the … Continue reading A look at the Arcadia Route 66 exhibit
Senate passes bill containing Route 66 program
The U.S. Senate approved the massive public lands bill by a 73-21 margin Thursday afternoon, reported the Clovis (N.M.) News-Journal. The measure contains 160 bills, including a reauthorization of the well-regarded Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program for another 10 years. The Route 66 program provides cost-share grants and other assistances to historic businesses and property … Continue reading Senate passes bill containing Route 66 program
Movie star becomes spokeswoman for World Monuments Fund
Actress Jeanne Tripplehorn has decided to be a spokeswoman for the World Monuments Fund, reports United Press International today. The WMF is an independent group dedicated to preserving the world's historic treasures. Route 66 was placed on the group's Watch List in 2008. Tripplehorn's involvement is good enough news. But there's this: "I am especially … Continue reading Movie star becomes spokeswoman for World Monuments Fund
“Life Ain’t Always Beautiful”
Check out the neon sign during this video by Gary Allan. It's from the Holiday Motel on the Strip in Las Vegas -- one of the last survivors of vintage motels there. The song itself has a interesting history. Allan recorded it shortly after his wife committed suicide. Several of the songs from the excellent … Continue reading “Life Ain’t Always Beautiful”