A news release suggests strong business growth seen in recent months in downtown Sapulpa, Oklahoma, might be tied to the enormous publicity and foot traffic from the inaugural Route 66 Christmas Chute during the holiday season. In case you missed it, the Route 66 Christmas Chute in downtown consisted of 35,000 feet of lights, 1,100 … Continue reading Sapulpa sees strong business growth after the inaugural Route 66 Christmas Chute
Threatt Filling Station gets some TLC from preservationists and volunteers
The long-closed Threatt Filling Station near Luther, Oklahoma, is receiving some much-needed work from preservationists and volunteers who want to see the Route 66 landmark standing for decades to come. According to KFOR-TV in nearby Oklahoma City: Now, crews from the Oklahoma Historical Society, National Trust for Historic Preservation and Guthrie Job Corps are working to preserve it. Students gain … Continue reading Threatt Filling Station gets some TLC from preservationists and volunteers
Food not being served at Bagdad Cafe as the owner approaches her 83rd birthday
The California Historic Route 66 Association reports the Bagdad Cafe in Newberry Springs, California, currently is not serving food but is open for visits by tourists and is selling T-shirts, Route 66 souvenirs, soda, beer and coffee. The association and her son also plan something special for owner Andrea Pruett on her 83rd birthday on … Continue reading Food not being served at Bagdad Cafe as the owner approaches her 83rd birthday
Supermodel Cindy Crawford stars in a photo shoot at Roy’s in Amboy
The Roy's Motel and Cafe complex in Amboy, California, has seen a lot of fashion photo shoots over the decades. But last week saw a particularly notable one by Cindy Crawford, one of the most popular supermodels in history. According to SI Lifestyle and other media outlets, the 57-year-old Crawford was participating in a project … Continue reading Supermodel Cindy Crawford stars in a photo shoot at Roy’s in Amboy
Route 66 Spirit of America Museum opens in Stroud
The Route 66 Spirit of America Museum opened Saturday in downtown Stroud, Oklahoma, and it's a different cat from other Route 66 museums. It pays tribute to the people who make an impact "to the larger scheme of things," its founder says. Route 66 author and artist Jerry McClanahan, who lives in nearby Chandler, visited … Continue reading Route 66 Spirit of America Museum opens in Stroud
Four of the 16 “Most Iconic Old-Fashioned Diners in America” are found on Route 66
Recently, Eat This, Not That! compiled a list of the "16 Most Iconic Old-Fashioned Diners in America." In what shouldn't be a surprise, four of them are on old Route 66. Without further ado, here are the website's four diners with extensive ties to the Mother Road: Lou Mitchell's, Chicago Clanton's Cafe, Vinita, Oklahoma Mr. … Continue reading Four of the 16 “Most Iconic Old-Fashioned Diners in America” are found on Route 66
West End Service Station in Edwardsville reopens as a museum and interpretive center
The West End Service Station in Edwardsville, Illinois, reopened Friday as a Route 66-themed museum and interpretive center. The former gas station at 620 West St. (aka Route 66) hosted a ceremonial ribbon cutting that day. It received a $460,000 state grant a year ago to rehabilitate the site. It will be open for visitors … Continue reading West End Service Station in Edwardsville reopens as a museum and interpretive center
Diamond Inn Motel near Villa Ridge to be torn down in the coming weeks
The long-closed Diamond Inn Motel along old Route 66 in Villa Ridge, Missouri, will be razed in the next couple of months -- meeting the same fate as the nearby Gardenway Motel. The Washington Missourian had the story: Both properties, which are owned by members of the Eckelkamp family, are slated for redevelopment. “It’s hard … Continue reading Diamond Inn Motel near Villa Ridge to be torn down in the coming weeks
Benjamin Moore Paints give materials donation to Road Runner’s Retreat project
Benjamin Moore & Co. recently donated a bunch of paint to the owner of the Road Runner's Retreat property so it could be used on its neon sign during the next workday on Oct. 21. Ryan Anderson, who runs the Facebook page for the defunct Route 66 restaurant near Chambless, California, said the donation came … Continue reading Benjamin Moore Paints give materials donation to Road Runner’s Retreat project
Updated sixth edition of “Route 66 Adventure Handbook” coming later this summer
Author Drew Knowles and Santa Monica Press will publish an updated sixth edition of the "Route 66 Adventure Handbook" (Amazon link) next month. It will be the first update on the popular book in six years. Amazon states the book will be out on Aug. 22. Santa Monica Press states it will be out in … Continue reading Updated sixth edition of “Route 66 Adventure Handbook” coming later this summer