I got this e-mail today from David Knudson, executive director of the National Historic Route 66 Federation, about the bill that contains proposal to renew the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program: Well, Senator Coburn is filibustering the bill. It takes a week to break a filibuster and the Senate won't waste the time this year. … Continue reading Senator blocking bill for Route 66 program
That’s a big tree
The town of Williams, Ariz., now has a 48-foot-tall Christmas tree that will sit at the intersection of Route 66 and Second Street, according to KNXV-TV in Phoenix. The tree was harvested from the nearby forest. There will be a lighting ceremony at 6 p.m. Nov. 28 to kick off the holiday season. The Arizona … Continue reading That’s a big tree
Site updates
I've made significant updates on portions of the Web site, especially the Calendar of Events. I think most of the Route 66-related festivals in 2009 are now listed, but a few towns haven't scheduled them yet. If I'm missing one, drop me a line and I'll try to add it. Also, I've added links to … Continue reading Site updates
Theater lauded as tourism draw
The Coleman Theatre Beautiful in Miami, Okla., was named the top tourism attraction in northeastern Oklahoma by the Grand Lake Association, reports the Joplin Globe. Smith said the Coleman, which opened in 1929 as a vaudeville palace and movie theater, continues to draw increased tourism each year. Its proximity along Route 66 attracts many visitors. … Continue reading Theater lauded as tourism draw
Braidwood depot will be moved
The 126-year-old railroad depot on Route 66 and Illinois 113 in Braidwood, Ill., has been donated to the city by its owners. A nearby nuclear plant also gave $30,000 to the city to help defray the costs of moving the depot to Center and Main streets, reports the Joliet Herald-News. While the depot anchors the … Continue reading Braidwood depot will be moved
Scenes from the Route 66 Marathon
I took a few photos early in the Route 66 Marathon on Sunday from the Cyrus Avery Route 66 Memorial Bridge in Tulsa, including one shot from the overpass itself that overlooks the Mother Road. The top finisher of the 26.2 miles was Jerry Faulkner of Tulsa in a record time of 2 hours, 27 … Continue reading Scenes from the Route 66 Marathon
Holiday event returns to Route 66 landmark
The Rialto Square Theatre, a historic landmark on Route 66 in Joliet, Ill., is hosting the city's ComEd Festival of Trees for the first time in over a decade, reports the Geneva (Ill.) Sun. The event is from Nov. 24-30. The annual fundraiser typically generates $200,000 for Cornerstone Services, which assists people with disabilities. Proceeds … Continue reading Holiday event returns to Route 66 landmark
“Chevy on a stick” faces iffy future
A 1955 Chevrolet Bel-Aire has sat on a pole at 2412 Clear Lake Ave. in Springfield, Ill., for 17 years. Locals call it the "Chevy on a stick," and Route 66ers are fond of seeing that landmark during excursions through town. Now that the car dealership that it presided over has moved, the "Chevy on … Continue reading “Chevy on a stick” faces iffy future
Route 66 Marathon is Sunday
The annual Route 66 Marathon in Tulsa begins Sunday morning. The Tulsa World has a story about a runner from Missouri, Rick Roeber, who's going to do all 26.2 miles barefoot. I was wondering whether Roeber has run into (no pun intended) Barefoot Ted, who ran in the Mother Road 100 two years ago. They … Continue reading Route 66 Marathon is Sunday
Two great old bridges
Here's a video of not one, but two great old bridges on Route 66 in Oklahoma. One is the famed Pony Bridge over the Canadian River near Hydro. The other is the Lake Overholser Bridge near Oklahoma City. The music is great, too. UPDATE: The video's poster tells me the music is by the Pied … Continue reading Two great old bridges