Construction on a 6.65-mile Dirt 66 bicycle, trail running and walking trail will begin Monday at Fellows Lake just north of Springfield, Missouri. It's the first phase in a 33-mile, $1.8 million trail expansion in the area, reported the Springfield News-Leader. The "Dirt 66" mountain bike/walking trail project is being funded by Springfield-based TrailSpring, Inc., … Continue reading Dirt 66 cycling, pedestrian trail to be built north of Springfield, Missouri
Tag: Springfield MO
FBI investigates deaths of South African men found dead during Route 66 trip
The FBI is investigating the deaths of two former South African mining executives found lifeless in a hotel in Springfield, Missouri, during a Route 66 trip in 2015. Initial reports indicated Gerrit Strydom, 45, and James Bethel, 44, died of cerebral malaria before their bodies were found in separate rooms at La Quinta Inn, according … Continue reading FBI investigates deaths of South African men found dead during Route 66 trip
2014 Ozark Mountain Daredevils show to stream on Birthplace of Route 66 site
A now-legendary concert by the Ozark Mountain Daredevils during the 2014 Birthplace of Route 66 Festival in Springfield, Missouri, will be rebroadcast Sept. 4 on the festival's website. That sold-out show, which the band gave the city permission to livestream that night from inside the historic Gillioz Theatre to a screen at Park Central Square, … Continue reading 2014 Ozark Mountain Daredevils show to stream on Birthplace of Route 66 site
The inventor of Springfield cashew chicken dish dies at age 99
David Leong, who put Springfield, Missouri, on the culinary map by inventing Springfield-style cashew chicken that many other Chinese restaurants adopted, has died. He was less than a month short of his 100th birthday. Leong lived quite a life. He fled China in 1938 when Japan attacked his hometown. He immigrated to New Orleans, joined … Continue reading The inventor of Springfield cashew chicken dish dies at age 99
Lurvey Courts cabins in Springfield being torn down
The long-closed Lurvey Courts cabins that stood along Route 66 in Springfield, Missouri, finally were being torn down Monday by the city after appeals to the owner to preserve them bore no fruit. Here is some video from the Ozarks First television station in Springfield: The station said the cabins at 2939 E. Kearney St. … Continue reading Lurvey Courts cabins in Springfield being torn down
Birthplace of Route 66 Festival canceled because of coronavirus
The Birthplace of Route 66 Festival in Springfield, Missouri, one of the biggest events on the Mother Road, announced Monday it would cancel the Aug. 14-15 event because of concerns about coronavirus. The festival's steering committee voted unanimously to cancel. The Ozarks Independent reported: “Last year’s attendance was 65,000 over two days and we were … Continue reading Birthplace of Route 66 Festival canceled because of coronavirus
Statue of Liberty replicas contain their own historical cachet
A story in the Tulsa World over the weekend sent me down a rabbit hole to find more about small-but-nicely-crafted replicas of the Statue of Liberty that were installed in 200 towns across America seven decades ago. The Tulsa newspaper noted the 8 1/2-foot-tall Statue of Liberty at 17th Street and South Harvard Avenue in … Continue reading Statue of Liberty replicas contain their own historical cachet
Steak ‘n Shakes in Springfield, Missouri, survive the latest corporate purge
The Steak 'n Shake restaurants in Springfield, Missouri -- including a very historic one on Route 66 -- seem to be surviving the latest round of closures by the corporation this week. The Springfield News-Leader reports Biglari Holdings Inc. announced it would close 57 Steak 'n Shakes after it lost more than $138 million in … Continue reading Steak ‘n Shakes in Springfield, Missouri, survive the latest corporate purge
The story behind the buzzard on Route 66 in Springfield, Missouri
The Springfield News-Leader newspaper in Missouri has a regular feature that serves as an Answer Man column, where Steve Pokin tries to dig into and solve local mysteries -- some serious and some not-so-serious. Pokin was on vacation, so staff writer Wyatt Wheeler took over during the interim. Wheeler received this question in his email: … Continue reading The story behind the buzzard on Route 66 in Springfield, Missouri
Route 66 Road Ahead to hold annual meeting March 27-28 in Springfield, Missouri
The Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership will hold its annual board meeting on March 27-28 at Hotel Vandivort at 305 E. Walnut St. in downtown Springfield, Missouri. According to a news release this week from the partnership: Friday sessions will focus on reports from the various Working Groups, Advisory Groups and Task Forces. On Saturday … Continue reading Route 66 Road Ahead to hold annual meeting March 27-28 in Springfield, Missouri