Officials for the City of Chicago on Wednesday marked Navy Pier as the unofficial eastern start point of Route 66 during its centennial, including a new sign at the pier. The sign is outside Harry Caray's Tavern at the pier, the design which was chosen by the Route 66 Commission and the city, reported the … Continue reading New sign at Navy Pier in Chicago marks unofficial eastern terminus of Route 66
Tag: Santa Monica
Chicago announces new symbolic starting point for Route 66 at Navy Pier
In celebration of Route 66's centennial, the City of Chicago will formally recognize Navy Pier as the symbolic starting point of the highway. The dedication ceremony celebrating the new starting point of Route 66 and its role in American history, culture and adventure will take place on March 25, according to a news release. The … Continue reading Chicago announces new symbolic starting point for Route 66 at Navy Pier
Holiday leftovers
Here are a few items that have crossed the Route 66 News desk in recent weeks: --- The board of directors of the Route 66 Mother Road Festival distributed $10,000 to five local charities in the Springfield, Illinois, area. For the first time in the event’s history, funds generated by the festival were distributed to … Continue reading Holiday leftovers
California Roadhouse to replace Rusty’s Surf Ranch on Santa Monica Pier
California Roadhouse soon will replace the recently closed Rusty's Surf Ranch restaurant and music venue on the Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica, California. The Santa Monica Daily Press reported: The venture is the brainchild of Sean Ahaus, a Santa Monica native and current co-owner of VITO, a neighborhood restaurant at 2807 Ocean Park Blvd. … Continue reading California Roadhouse to replace Rusty’s Surf Ranch on Santa Monica Pier
Santa Monica Tourism launches songwriting contest about city’s link to Route 66
Songwriters who love the Mother Road, here's your chance. And there's money involved. Santa Monica Travel & Tourism has invited music artists to create an original song that celebrates the city's connection to Route 66 as part of the highway's centennial next year. The top prize is $10,000. The Route 66 Song Contest is open … Continue reading Santa Monica Tourism launches songwriting contest about city’s link to Route 66
Robert Redford helped save Santa Monica Pier from demolition during the 1970s
In the wake of actor and director Robert Redford's death this week at age 89, a story emerged about how he helped save the decaying Santa Monica Pier from being torn down in the early 1970s. It's hard to believe now, but the pier was so dilapidated, the Santa Monica City Council voted to demolish … Continue reading Robert Redford helped save Santa Monica Pier from demolition during the 1970s
Five cities chosen as Official Satellite Cities for Route 66 Centennial Kick-Off
Five communities were designated as Official Satellite Cities for the Route 66 Centennial Kick-Off on April 30, 2026. The five Official Satellite Cities are Joliet, Illinois; St. Louis; Amarillo, Texas; Albuquerque; and Santa Monica, California. Those cities will join the live, online media event combined with Route 66 Centennial Kick-Off celebrations in Springfield, Missouri, which … Continue reading Five cities chosen as Official Satellite Cities for Route 66 Centennial Kick-Off
National Trust announces a total of 25 Route 66 Legacy Business Grant awards
The National Trust for Historic Preservation on Wednesday announced the latest selections for its Route 66 Legacy Business Grant Program, part of its Preserve Route 66 initiative. Twenty-five grants were awarded in all eight states that Route 66 goes through for a total of $227,323. Here is the list of awarded projects and dollar amounts: … Continue reading National Trust announces a total of 25 Route 66 Legacy Business Grant awards
The Drive Home VII will travel all of Route 66 in January
A cross-country trip sponsored by America's Automotive Trust, Detroit Auto Show and National Route 66 Centennial Commission apparently will be the first significant event of the highway's centennial in 2026. The three entities recently announced "The Drive Home VII: Route 66 – A Century of Adventure," which they dubbed as "a once-in-a-lifetime cross-country drive celebrating … Continue reading The Drive Home VII will travel all of Route 66 in January
IHOP will try to break pancakes world record on Santa Monica Pier on Saturday
IHOP at the Santa Monica Pier will seek to break a Guinness World Record by serving 20,000 pancakes in an eight-hour period on Saturday to commemorate National Pancake Day, which actually is on March 4. The event, dubbed "20K for Pancake Day," aims to serve up all those pancakes from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. … Continue reading IHOP will try to break pancakes world record on Santa Monica Pier on Saturday