The city of Tucumcari made a strong bid but failed last month to gain a license for a casino and horse-racing track. But apparently the effort has created some positive side effects. Local officials who made a bid for the "racino" license met with Gov. Bill Richardson, and he pledged to bring future economic development … Continue reading Governor pledges more projects for Tucumcari
Hello from China
Here's a jazz group doing a localized version of "Route 66" in Beijing. Purists may object to changing the lyrics, but when in Rome ... The singer is wrong about who wrote the song, though. It was by Bobby Troup, not Hoagy Carmichael. Troup would have probably been thrilled to have been included in such … Continue reading Hello from China
Animal Paradise’s future plans
Animal Paradise, a drive-through exotic animal park off Route 66 near Strafford, Mo., was taken over by a corporation earlier this year. KSPR-TV in Springfield, Mo., talked to the park's operators about future plans: “Black bears will be the next thing to come in,” said owner Jim Meikle. Exotic Animal Paradise is also planning to … Continue reading Animal Paradise’s future plans
Marshfield wins spot on revitalization initiative
The Route 66 town of Marshfield was one of 10 communites that was selected to the Downtown Revitalization and Economic Assistance for Missouri initiative, or DREAM, reported the Marshfield Mail. ... Gov. Matt Blunt states the purpose of the DREAM Initiative is to give small and mid-sized communities additional tools for economic development. [...] The … Continue reading Marshfield wins spot on revitalization initiative
Tulsa Monument Co. named to National Register
The Tulsa Monument Co. building, located at 1735 E. 11th St. (Route 66) in Tulsa, was named to the National Register of Historic Places effective Sept. 4, according to an e-mail received today from the National Park Service. According to the Tulsa Preservation Commission, the Art Deco building was built in 1936 by Harry H. … Continue reading Tulsa Monument Co. named to National Register
Free fun
With rising inflation and the economy in shaky condition, the organizers of the Route 66 Rendezvous in San Bernardino, Calif., this weekend gave the Press-Enterprise one excellent hook to draw tourists -- everything is free. "Since the event is free to the public, and with the tightened economy, and the history of this being such … Continue reading Free fun
Route 66 Corridor Program bill advances out of committee
Good news today straight out of the office of Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M.: DOMENICI: ROUTE 66 REAUTHORIZATION BILL GETS COMMITTEE STAMP OF APPROVAL WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Pete Domenici today said he is pleased that the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee — of which he is ranking member — has approved a measure he … Continue reading Route 66 Corridor Program bill advances out of committee
Notes from the road
The Gallup (N.M.) Independent has an article about Route 66 sights in town before members of the Society for Commercial Archeology come check them out today. The article laments about how little is left of Route 66 sites in Gallup. But you can say that about a lot of towns -- many Route 66 businesses … Continue reading Notes from the road
T for tenacious
The Western Horseman has an interesting article about the century-old T4 Cattle Co., based in the Route 66 town of Motoya, N.M. It's a fascinating story about how the ranch, now a whopping 180,000 acres, survived family tragedies, tough economic times, prairie fires and calamatous weather over the decades. It also provides a look into … Continue reading T for tenacious
Williams moves to close ‘The Gap’
It's hard to believe it's already been more than three years since a downtown fire destroyed a long abandoned century-old building and damaged the adjacent Canyon Club and Red Garter Bed & Bakery in Williams, Ariz. It's harder to believe the land where the building burned has been unused since -- especially when Williams' main … Continue reading Williams moves to close ‘The Gap’