Here's a first for the historic Odell Station (above) on old Route 66 in Odell, Ill. -- a couple is using it as a place to get married. According to the news release: Jennifer O’Dowd and Thomas Kowaczek, from Schaumberg, Illinois, became enchanted in 2007 by the mystique of the Mother Road when they began … Continue reading Wedding scheduled at Odell Station
Rock Cafe fire undetermined
The cause of the blaze that gutted the historic Rock Cafe in Stroud, Okla., will probably remain forever a mystery, reports the Shawnee (Okla.) News-Star. The state fire marshal’s office investigated the cause of the fire. JoAnn Sellars, operations chief, said Wednesday that investigation is now complete. She said case agents were not able to … Continue reading Rock Cafe fire undetermined
Palm Springs Follies picks Route 66 as theme
The Fabulous Palm Springs Follies, a Broadway-style music and dance revue in Palm Springs, Calif., has chosen Route 66 as its theme for its upcoming 2008-09 season. From the news release: Beginning October 28, 2008, and playing through May 17, 2009, the Fabulous Palm Springs Follies will “travel” Route 66 via music, dance and comedy … Continue reading Palm Springs Follies picks Route 66 as theme
High gas prices aren’t hurting tourism
Here's something to chew on from the Wayneville (Mo.) Daily Guide: High gas prices don’t seem to be hurting Pulaski County tourism, according to Tourism Bureau Executive Director Andy Thiem, and may even help local venues as vacationers choose to stay closer to home. Speaking at Thursday evening’s meeting of the Pulaski County Tourism Board, … Continue reading High gas prices aren’t hurting tourism
Horse-racing track in Moriarty approved
The New Mexico Racing Commission today approved the move of the Downs at Albuquerque from the New Mexico state fairgrounds to the Route 66 town of Moriarty, N.M., about 40 miles east, reports KRQE-TV. Planned is a 500-acre, $65 million facility at Highway 41 and Interstate 40. That is very close to Highway 333, aka … Continue reading Horse-racing track in Moriarty approved
Book review: “Route 66 in St. Louis”
In addition to guidebooks devoted to all 2,400 miles of Route 66, a bunch of volumes have been published that are more narrowly focused by geography. Individual books have been devoted to the Mother Road in Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona and California, in addition to the cities of Los Angeles and Chicago. However, … Continue reading Book review: “Route 66 in St. Louis”
A glimpse of a 1948 road trip
Here's an explanation for this amazing YouTube video: In 1948, the Osborn family loaded up their vehicle and headed for West Virginia. Their starting point was Redlands, CA. The film was shot in 1948 with an 8mm movie camera. Back in those days, Route 66 was one of the major west-east routes, thus the theme … Continue reading A glimpse of a 1948 road trip
Barstow museum to mark eighth anniversary
The Barstow Route 66 Mother Road Museum in Barstow, Calif., will mark its eighth anniversary with a special event on Saturday, June 14, reports the Desert Dispatch. There will be a car and motorcycle show from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. that day. A registration form for those wanting to participate is here. One of … Continue reading Barstow museum to mark eighth anniversary
Memorial Day tribute
Here are the soldiers from Route 66 towns who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan. ILLINOIS Chicago Staff Sgt. Oscar D. Vargas-Medina, died May 1, 2004 1st Sgt. Edward Smith, died April 5, 2003 Sgt. Ivory L. Phipps, died March 17, 2004 Pfc. Torry D. Harris, died July 13, 2004 Sgt. Sirlou C. Cuaresma, died … Continue reading Memorial Day tribute
POPS doubles Arcadia’s sales-tax revenue
I can't say that I'm surprised by this story from the Edmond (Okla.) Sun: The most recent Oklahoma Tax Commission figures indicates that Arcadia’s sales tax revenue has doubled since POPS opened there last August. [...] August to January sales tax revenue is $123,365 compared to $59,137 for those months of the previous calendar year. … Continue reading POPS doubles Arcadia’s sales-tax revenue