If you have a few minutes, read this long feature in the Washington Missourian about L.B. Eckelkamp Jr., the longtime owner of the Diamond Inn Motel in Villa Ridge, Missouri. The Diamond Inn, which turned 50 years old not long ago, probably will be torn down by the time you read this. Ultimately, the motel, … Continue reading Newspaper talks to longtime owner of the doomed Diamond Inn Motel in Villa Ridge
History Museum on the Square to hold an exhibit about gas stations along Route 66
The History Museum on the Square in downtown Springfield, Missouri, soon will launch a three-month exhibit about gas stations along Route 66. "Service with a Smile" will run at the museum from Aug. 9 to Nov. 5. It's the second of five annual exhibits featuring Route 66's history, running up to the highway's centennial in … Continue reading History Museum on the Square to hold an exhibit about gas stations along Route 66
Owner of Tally’s Good Food Cafe in Tulsa arrested on felony theft charges
The owner of the landmark Tally's Good Food Cafe along Route 66 in Tulsa was arrested on multiple counts of felony larceny after being accused of shoplifting a total of 31 times. KRMG Radio in Tulsa reported that Talal "Tally" Jamil Alame was arrested at his restaurant on Friday. He was freed on bond hours … Continue reading Owner of Tally’s Good Food Cafe in Tulsa arrested on felony theft charges
918 Coffee in Tulsa closes due to owners’ retirement
918 Coffee, known for repurposing a vintage gas station along Route 66 in Tulsa, closed in late June after a decade because the owners were retiring. Morad El-Raheb and his wife Annie, who opened the coffeehouse at 2446 E. 11th St. (aka Route 66) in 2013, made the announcement on Facebook its last day would … Continue reading 918 Coffee in Tulsa closes due to owners’ retirement
Oklahoma church pays tribute this month to Disney-Pixar film “Cars”
A church in a Tulsa suburb recently changed its lobby into a tribute to the Route 66-inspired Disney-Pixar animated film "Cars" from 2006. But you better hurry to see it -- it will be up only a couple of more weeks. Life.Church in south Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, annually changes its lobby to an "At the … Continue reading Oklahoma church pays tribute this month to Disney-Pixar film “Cars”
Small building in parking lot remains a vestige of a tourist camp in Springfield, Missouri
Tucked away in a city parking lot in Springfield, Missouri, is a small stone building that serves as the last vestige of a tourist camp that served travelers for years before Route 66 was federally certified. The building once was a bathroom for the long-gone Long Memorial Park, though it's slated to be used as … Continue reading Small building in parking lot remains a vestige of a tourist camp in Springfield, Missouri
Fire damages two guest rooms at Fender’s River Road Resort in Needles
A recent fire damaged two guest rooms at the Fender's River Road Resort in Needles, California, though the Route 66 landmark still is operating. Pat Bremer of the Road Trip Memories page on Facebook posted a photo of the damage during the July 4 holiday: A clerk who answered the phone at Fender's said the … Continue reading Fire damages two guest rooms at Fender’s River Road Resort in Needles
Kickoff party and lighting ceremony set for July 26 for Route 66 Experience in Springfield
A lighting ceremony on July 26 for the Route 66 Experience neon park at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield will include a pre-party at Route 66 Motorheads Bar & Grill on the city's south side. The Route 66 Experience at the fairgrounds will feature re-creations or restorations of the neon signs for the Bel-Air … Continue reading Kickoff party and lighting ceremony set for July 26 for Route 66 Experience in Springfield
Little America Hotel in Flagstaff marks its 50th anniversary
The popular and highly praised Little America Hotel in Flagstaff, Arizona, recently marked its 50th year in business. As the Arizona Daily Sun in Flagstaff tells it, the hotel is the second such hotel and resort built by the Holding Family in the Little America network that originated in 1952. There now are eight such … Continue reading Little America Hotel in Flagstaff marks its 50th anniversary
Griff’s Hamburgers abruptly closes down its Albuquerque Route 66 location
Griff's Hamburgers, a small regional chain that dates back more than 60 years, announced it was shutting down its Albuquerque restaurant along Route 66 after the end of the business day on July 6. This is what the company posted on its website for the Albuquerque location at 8516 Central Ave. (aka Route 66): “After … Continue reading Griff’s Hamburgers abruptly closes down its Albuquerque Route 66 location