Melba Rigg retires from Cars on the Route

Melba Rigg, one of the original four women of the 4 Women on the Route station in Galena, Kansas, before its name changed to Cars on the Route, announced her retirement over the weekend. Rigg wrote on a Facebook post: https://www.facebook.com/melba.rigg/posts/944043785674648 This video by KC Keefer on his Genuine Route 66 Life video series interviewed Rigg couple … Continue reading Melba Rigg retires from Cars on the Route

Larry the Cable Guy meets Tow Tater

Comedian Larry the Cable Guy voiced the hillbilly tow-truck character of Tow Mater in the 2006 Disney-Pixar animated film "Cars" and the sequel "Cars 2." The first film's portrayal of the fictional Route 66 town of Radiator Springs brought the Mother Road's story to a new generation of travelers. The inspiration to Tow Mater was … Continue reading Larry the Cable Guy meets Tow Tater

Prosecutor requests indictment be dropped against Galena officials

A special prosecutor in Cherokee County, Kansas, has filed a motion to drop criminal charges against several Galena officials, including the mayor, over a land purchase, according to a report late Thursday by KSN / KODE-TV. According to the report, the prosecutor filed the motion after it was determined the city officials didn't violate the … Continue reading Prosecutor requests indictment be dropped against Galena officials

Cars on the Route owner, Galena mayor embroiled in indictments

The mayor of Galena, Kansas, and six current or former city councilors recently were notified they've been indicted on a felony charge of misuse of public funds in a case that involves one of the town's most prominent Route 66 property owners, according to stories in the Joplin Globe and Cherokee County News-Advocate. Among those … Continue reading Cars on the Route owner, Galena mayor embroiled in indictments

Unusual ice cream shop opens in Galena next weekend

A new ice cream shop soon will open on Route 66 in downtown Galena, Kansas. But it's not just any ice cream shop. The proprietors of Eye Scream Labs at 606 S. Main St. use liquid nitrogen -- which cools liquids at colder than 300 below zero -- to make their sweet treats right on … Continue reading Unusual ice cream shop opens in Galena next weekend

Miniature created of 4 Women on the Route station

Willem Bor strikes again. The craftsman from the Netherlands, who has made miniature models of numerous Route 66 landmarks, created a new one of 4 Women on the Route 66 in Galena, Kansas, which now is known as Cars on the Route. According to the Joplin Globe, the miniature was hand-delivered by fellow countryman and … Continue reading Miniature created of 4 Women on the Route station

Cow Bop gets its kicks

The western swing and jazz collective Cow Bop recently completed another edition of its Route 66 music tour, this one called the Linear Music Festival. You can follow what they did here with blog posts, audio and a lot of other goodies. But here's a performance of Bobby Troup's "Route 66" at Cars on the … Continue reading Cow Bop gets its kicks

Front Street Garage in Galena will be renovated

The long-closed Front Street Garage in Galena, Kansas, has a new roadie owner, and his long-term plans are renovating it into a Ford Model A museum, according to KODE-TV. The garage, also known as the Bradshaw Garage, is directly across the street, aka Route 66, from Cars on the Route -- known as the home … Continue reading Front Street Garage in Galena will be renovated

A chat with Melba Rigg

Melba Rigg, one of the original proprietors of 4 Women on the Route, now Cars on the Route, in Galena, Kansas, explains the region's Route 66 tie-ins to the Disney-Pixar "Cars" movie and makes some other observations. This video is part of KC Keefer's Genuine Route 66 Life video series. https://youtu.be/keOmEUPWo4E Rigg didn't always talk … Continue reading A chat with Melba Rigg

A new hill rises north of Galena

The bad news is Galena, Kansas, is home to a new hazardous waste dump north of town just off old Route 66. The good news is the hill of contaminated soil is covered with native grass, and people who have seen the finished product say it's not as ugly or as obtrusive as feared. Renee … Continue reading A new hill rises north of Galena