The Oklahoma Educational Television Authority, which contains a network of PBS stations across the state, recently aired a 28-minute "Gallery America" segment about Route 66 artist and researcher Jerry McClanahan and effervescent Arcadia Round Barn volunteer "Mr. Sam" Gillaspy. The program is well-produced. Check it out below: McClanahan's art gallery just off Route 66 in … Continue reading Program features Route 66 artist Jerry McClanahan, Round Barn volunteer Mr. Sam
Tag: Jerry McClanahan
County may rehabilitate an original stretch of Route 66 west of El Reno
Canadian County, Oklahoma, is looking at updates for a 12-mile stretch of original Route 66 west of El Reno, prompting concerns from historic preservationists. ROUTE Magazine flagged a story from the El Reno Tribune about the possible project from Fort Reno to the Cherokee Trading Post. The newspaper talked to county commissioner Jack Stewart: According … Continue reading County may rehabilitate an original stretch of Route 66 west of El Reno
How about Harley and Annabelle Russell for the Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame?
The Oklahoma Route 66 Association a few days ago sent out an email asking for nominations -- one living and one deceased -- for the upcoming Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame inductions, held every two years. The Hall of Fame ceremony will be June 20 at the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton. Here … Continue reading How about Harley and Annabelle Russell for the Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame?
Oklahoma City station features Route 66 researcher and artist Jerry McClanahan
KFOR-TV in Oklahoma City recently ventured to Chandler, Oklahoma, to do a 2 1/2-minute feature about Route 66 artist and researcher Jerry McClanahan at his shop there. The best part from the video's transcript: Just outside sits an idling 1954 Chevy station wagon, not so different from the cars his father used to drive on … Continue reading Oklahoma City station features Route 66 researcher and artist Jerry McClanahan
Lake Overholser Bridge in OKC closed to traffic after problem found
The Lake Overholser Bridge in Oklahoma City recently was closed to vehicular traffic after an inspector found a problem in the historic Route 66 span. Longtime Route 66 advocate Kathy Anderson posted this message on Facebook from Melvena Heisch, a recently retired Oklahoma State Historic Preservation Officer: All, just heard back from the City Planning … Continue reading Lake Overholser Bridge in OKC closed to traffic after problem found
Federation discontinues “Route 66 Dining and Lodging Guide”
The National Historic Route 66 Federation a few months ago quietly discontinued publication of its "Route 66 Dining and Lodging Guide" book after almost 20 years. Federation Chairman David Knudson announced the decision in a brief post on the semi-private Route 66 yahoogroup last week. The 17th and last edition of the spiral-bound "Route 66 … Continue reading Federation discontinues “Route 66 Dining and Lodging Guide”
Is the Big Texan Steak Ranch on Route 66?
The answer: Yes. It sits on an obscure and short-lived alignment of Route 66 from the 1920s. More on this later. While recently reporting the Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo, Texas, likely will begin building a bigger complex soon, I wrote this bit: Although the Big Texan no longer sits on Route 66, it began on Amarillo Boulevard … Continue reading Is the Big Texan Steak Ranch on Route 66?
GlassBoy Studios opens in Arcadia
Joel Rayburn's GlassBoy Studios neon-lighting company -- also home to Tourist Trap Tees --opened for business last week in downtown Arcadia, Oklahoma, next to Route 66 and the town's famous Round Barn. The above photo is shows the business and the custom-painted Route 66 van driven by GlassBoy Studios' first customer, Greg Gaszak. The business is housed in the nearly-century-old Brooks … Continue reading GlassBoy Studios opens in Arcadia
What is the length of Route 66?
The length of the original U.S. 66 is commonly cited as 2,448 miles (although Wikipedia lists it as 2,451 miles). Stefan Joppich's research indicates through bypasses and improvements, the length of Route 66 dropped in miles to 2,278 by 1947 -- much of it through the bypass of Santa Fe, which lopped off almost 120. How long … Continue reading What is the length of Route 66?
12 useful tips for traveling Route 66
By Emily Priddy During the recent Miles of Possibility conference in Edwardsville, Illinois, guidebook authors Jim Ross and Jerry McClanahan offered advice for travelers planning a trip on the road. Here are some of the suggestions they offered during the hourlong session: Do your homework ahead of time, and go beyond guidebooks — learn the … Continue reading 12 useful tips for traveling Route 66