Route 66 News doesn't give a lot of ink to chain restaurants, when plenty of great mom-and-pop eateries on the Mother Road are available. However, we're giving credit where credit is due. Culver's, a Wisconsin-based chain famous for its "butterburgers" and frozen custard, is building its first restaurant in Webb City, Mo. And here's Culver's … Continue reading Culver’s is building a Route 66-themed restaurant
Co-founder of Boots Motel dies
Ilda Boots, co-founder of the Boots Motel on historic Route 66 in Carthage, Mo., died Friday at age 102 at a nursing home in Glenpool, Okla., reports the Carthage Press. The Bootses also founded the Boots Drive-In restaurant across the road, which is defunct. According to the newspaper, after talking to Ilda's son Bob: She … Continue reading Co-founder of Boots Motel dies
Update on Bristow Motor Co. fire
A month ago, a fire that started in the repair-shop area of Bolin Ford in Bristow, Okla., was believed to have destroyed the historic Bristow Motor Co. building that was part of the complex. For reasons that are too boring to recount here, I wasn't able to check the scene until Sunday. What I saw … Continue reading Update on Bristow Motor Co. fire
Wind power near Route 66
Construction of a wind turbine on a "gob nob" mining-waste hill near Farmersville, Ill., has been finished and will begin producing power this week, reports the Springfield Journal-Register. Art’s Motel & Restaurant owner Barry Lambachia, who also can see the gob knob from his office, said he his hopeful the novelty of a wind turbine … Continue reading Wind power near Route 66
Route 66 draws in foreign travelers
An article in the Daily Oklahoman reiterates what we've been saying for months -- that Route 66 won't be as adversely affected by the weak U.S. economy as other tourism segments because of a boom in foreign visitors. "This year the overseas tourists are taking advantage of a weak U.S. dollar,” said Amanda Davis, Miami … Continue reading Route 66 draws in foreign travelers
Atlanta’s Palms Grill should reopen by spring
The long-closed Palms Grill in downtown Atlanta, Ill., has been meticulously renovated its Route 66 glory days and should reopen by spring, reports the Peoria Journal-Star. The storefront restaurant has been restored according to a depiction in a photograph taken during the era when Johnson worked there as part of a new museum project of … Continue reading Atlanta’s Palms Grill should reopen by spring
A crash-landing near Route 66
The Hillsboro (Ill.) Journal-News has the remarkable story of two Air Force bombers that crash-landed in a field near Route 66 near Litchfield, Ill., on Feb. 15, 1945. The story was related by Terry Birkenkamp and Marge (Birkenkamp) Allen, who saw it all as children at the time. The bombers were supposed to be delivered … Continue reading A crash-landing near Route 66
Getting there
Construction on the new home of the historic Meadow Gold sign on Route 66 in Tulsa is progressing nicely. According to a release from the city, the support pavilion and metal truss system are scheduled to be completed by the end of the month. Re-erection of the Meadow Gold sign's restored neon letters will begin … Continue reading Getting there
New Mexico float in Rose Parade wins award
The state of New Mexico's float -- featuring Wile E. Coyote chasing after Road Runner on old Route 66 -- won the Bob Hope Humor Award at the 2009 Rose Parade on Thursday in Pasadena, Calif. You can see the artist's rendering of the float by Fiesta Parade Floats of Pasadena, which was contracted by … Continue reading New Mexico float in Rose Parade wins award
Swing set
I guess this proves that anything can be named after Route 66 these days. From the Amarillo Globe-News: About two dozen protesters organized by Repent Amarillo spent New Year's Eve carrying signs, singing and praying outside a business in downtown Amarillo that they claim is a swinger's club. A party organizer with the Route 66 … Continue reading Swing set