The folks who are trying to renovate the previously long-neglected Triangle Motel on Route 66 in Amarillo, Texas, have launched a new fundraiser. You can adopt a brick on the motel complex's south wall on Triangle Drive, which is an older alignment of Route 66, for $15 apiece. Certificates will be mailed to adoptees. Proceeds … Continue reading Adopt a brick, help the Triangle Motel
“Cars Land” will be part of Disney park
Walt Disney Co. announced Wednesday it is planning a major revamp of Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., including a "Cars Land" inspired by last summer's "Cars" movie. Here are the details about Cars Land: The expansion will culminate with an entirely new, 12-acre addition: Cars Land, immersing guests into a world inspired by the hit Disney/Pixar … Continue reading “Cars Land” will be part of Disney park
Wishing Well Motel’s razing is imminent
Lately, I'd been getting e-mails from Illinois Route 66ers, telling me there was grave activity occurring at the historic Wishing Well Motel on Route 66 in the Chicago suburb of Countryside, Ill. One observer said the motel's electrical meters and water main had been removed. Others had reported that fencing had been erected around the … Continue reading Wishing Well Motel’s razing is imminent
UPDATED: Silver Moon Lodge closed
I found this LiveJournal item, via Duke City Fix, that passes on distressing news about an Albuquerque motel on Central Avenue (aka Route 66): The Central Park Deli and Silver Moon Lodge, (aka "Grand Western Motor Inn") Built in 1953 is closing Oct 15 2007. This 1950's era motel and restaurant is a prime example … Continue reading UPDATED: Silver Moon Lodge closed
A high-speed drive on Oatman Road
Relax, it's not a real-time video. YouTube poster SpeedyYellow has uploaded footage of a drive on Oatman Road, aka Route 66, just west of Kingman, Ariz., to the small town of Oatman in the Black Mountains. The footage runs at double speed "so you don't have to sit here all day," the poster writes. The … Continue reading A high-speed drive on Oatman Road
Officials eye reuse of abandoned gas stations
The Joplin (Mo.) Globe reports that federal EPA and state officials are looking at ways to reuse abandoned gas stations along Route 66 into productive businesses. The discussion took place in Galena, Kan. Doyle said a survey found 45 abandoned gas stations along Route 66 from St. Louis, Mo., to Baxter Springs. He said there … Continue reading Officials eye reuse of abandoned gas stations
Let’s go to the fashion show
I never thought Route 66 News would have something about new fashion, but here it is. Richie Rich and Traver Rains of Heatherette put together a show called "Route 66: California or Bust" during L.A. Fashion Week. Here's how Associated Press entertainment writer Sandy Cohen described the collection: ... a whimsical collection of bedazzled Speedo-style … Continue reading Let’s go to the fashion show
Portion of Route 66 alignment in St. Louis closed
Those traveling on a prominent Route 66 alignment in St. Louis may have to make a detour in the next few months, or even years. City officials have closed a one block of Tucker Boulevard north of downtown because of fears that a portion of the road might sag because of deterioration of a tunnel, … Continue reading Portion of Route 66 alignment in St. Louis closed
Where the corn dog was born
CNN.com posted a story about the origins of certain food items. For the corn dog, it listed the Cozy Dog Drive-In in Springfield, Ill.: In 1946, Ed Waldmire, Jr., revolutionized the stick-meat world when he debuted the Cozy Dog -- the first corn dog on a stick. At first, he wanted to call his creation … Continue reading Where the corn dog was born
A chat with George Maharis
Early in a phone interview with "Route 66" television series co-star George Maharis, I acknowledged to him that I had never seen episodes of the early 1960s drama until I received an advance copy of the upcoming re-release on DVD. Maharis made a startling admission: Neither had he. "It was the first time I'd seen … Continue reading A chat with George Maharis