Paul Newman, R.I.P

Here's a startling fact about actor Paul Newman, who died Friday of cancer at the age of 83. "Cars," the hit Disney-Pixar animated film in 2006 that helped spur new interest in Route 66, wound up being Newman's last acting film role. Not long after that film's release (plus a "Cars" short titled "Mater and … Continue reading Paul Newman, R.I.P

That tears it

We've heard for many months about Route 66 travelers being treated rudely by the proprietors of Indian Harvest Trading Post, near Sullivan, Mo. We did a story about this. Theft had been a problem, so it was understandable why the owners felt the need to vigilant. Nevertheless, we implored the owners to be more hospitable. … Continue reading That tears it

Art exhibit pays tribute to the road trip

The San Jose Museum of Art in San Jose, Calif., is hosting a major exhibit this fall called "Road Trip," a sometimes-whimsical exploration of that uniquely American experience. The museum's associate curator, Kristen Evangelista, put it together. According to this report from the San Jose Mercury News: The artists Evangelista chose for "Roadtrip" not only … Continue reading Art exhibit pays tribute to the road trip

“How Fast Them Trucks Can Go”

This was a hit for Claude Gray in 1967, peaking at No. 12 on the country charts. This truck-driving song contains a specific reference to Route 66.

Longtime roadie has a petroliana collection

Johnnie Meier, a longtime champion of Route 66 and other historic roads, has created a roadside tribute to old-time gas stations in Embudo, N.M., on Highway 68 north of Santa Fe. From the Albuquerque Journal (via the Las Cruces Sun-News): ... [T]hree 1940s-era gas pumps stand as sentinels at a filling station.On the porch is … Continue reading Longtime roadie has a petroliana collection

Another sign gone

I heard Wednesday morning that the old neon sign for the Gateway Motor Inn, aka the Gateway Motor Hotel, along Oklahoma 66 halfway between Tulsa and Sapulpa, Okla., was down. I checked it out. There is was -- flat on the parking lot, surrounded by road cones and shards of broken neon tubing. It was … Continue reading Another sign gone

Kudos to Edmond

The Oklahoma City suburb of Edmond has been criticized fairly regularly here for embracing its Route 66 heritage far too late, after nearly all of its historic treasures are gone. However, give Edmond credit where credit's due. According to the Daily Oklahoman, the Route 66 Classics in the Park Car Show and Craft Fair this … Continue reading Kudos to Edmond

A gay old time in Gay Parita

KY3-TV in Springfield, Mo., did a feature about Gary Turner and his re-creation of the Gay Parita gas station on Route 66 in nearby Paris Springs. Those who've visited Turner and his station will find many of the details familiar. But a couple of interesting details stand out: In the past year and a half, … Continue reading A gay old time in Gay Parita