The Route 66 town of Strafford, Mo., has a possible new enticement for roadies to visit -- a new branch of the Springfield-Greene County Library system opened Saturday. From the Springfield News-Leader: The 2,500-square-foot, Route 66-themed facility features several murals and decorations that pay homage to Strafford's location along the historic driving route. Aside from … Continue reading Route 66-themed library opens
The Mill soon will regain its blades
A bunch of Illinois Route 66 volunteers recently gathered at John and Lenore Weiss' house in Wilmington to construct new windmill blades for The Mill, a landmark in Lincoln since 1929. It wasn't long ago that the shuttered Route 66 restaurant appeared to have a date with the wrecking ball. Now it's being renovated for … Continue reading The Mill soon will regain its blades
Panel to review Tucumcari racetrack petition Wednesday
Soon, we will know the date of whether Tucumcari, N.M., will receive a state license for a horse-racing track and casino, which would be on Route 66. According to the Quay County Sun, the New Mexico Racing Commission will announce Wednesday the date in which it will select the winner of the "racino" license. When … Continue reading Panel to review Tucumcari racetrack petition Wednesday
Indorock kicks
The is an Indorock group called Black Dynasty, a "supergroup" consisting of members of the Black Dynamites, the Javalins, and Rene & His Alligators. It is performing Bobby Troup's "Route 66." Indorock is a mix of Indonesian and Western music. It came blasting out of the 1950s when a bunch of Indonesia natives resettled in … Continue reading Indorock kicks
Cyrus Avery Plaza dedicated
I went on a hot Thursday morning to the dedication ceremony for the Cyrus Avery Route 66 Centennial Plaza and Memorial Bridge in Tulsa. Except for the "East Meets West" statue that will be coming later this year, the plaza complex has been finished for several weeks. You can read more about the actual ceremony … Continue reading Cyrus Avery Plaza dedicated
Feat of clay
Here's a video about Bradley's Pottery on old Route 66 in Chandler, Okla. The clip was produced by the state's tourism department.
Olde Keg retools in an effort to survive
The Olde Keg in Joliet, Ill., has been a fixture on old Route 66 even before the highway existed -- since 1897, in fact. So it alarmed longtime customers when a "closed" sign appeared on the restaurant/bar on Tuesday. But it's just temporary, reports the Joliet Herald-News. On Tuesday, the Keg temporarily closed for dinner … Continue reading Olde Keg retools in an effort to survive
Sad farewell
We just got word this evening that Fran Eickhoff, former owner of the late, great Route 66 Lounge in Cuba, Mo. -- sometimes referred to as "the Cheers of the Mother Road" -- passed away this afternoon. Fran was a charter member of Friends of the Mother Road and a longtime supporter of the Missouri … Continue reading Sad farewell
Old trucks inspire art
Artist Neil Hannum isn't inspired by waterfalls or sunsets. Instead, he likes old pickup trucks, especially ones with a bit of rust or a busted headlight. He shoots a photograph of the vehicle, paints a watercolor of it, and mounts it on a road sign or scraps of metal he picks up along the roadside. … Continue reading Old trucks inspire art
Devil’s Elbow Bridge wins cost-share grant
This is probably letting the cat out of the bag, but this excerpt in the Wayneville (Mo.) Daily Guide reports that Pulaski County has earned an $8,000 cost-share grant from the National Park Service's Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program to repair the Devil's Elbow Bridge: County Clerk Diana Linnenbringer presented copies of documents required for … Continue reading Devil’s Elbow Bridge wins cost-share grant