Warehouse fire destroys inventory by several Route 66 authors

Fire destroyed a St. Louis warehouse used by Reedy Press, along with all the stored books by several Route 66 authors, according to several media reports. Smoke from the five-alarm fire that began Wednesday morning was seen for miles, reported the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. At one point, part of the building collapsed onto a firetruck, and … Continue reading Warehouse fire destroys inventory by several Route 66 authors

UPDATED: Eat-Rite Diner closes; it may open

The historic Eat-Rite Diner in St. Louis closed Tuesday for at least two weeks because of mechanical issues, and its aging owner said the shutdown may be even longer than that. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch, which landed the scoop, talked to the restaurant's owner, L.B. Powers, who said the shutdown is because of an exhaust-fan … Continue reading UPDATED: Eat-Rite Diner closes; it may open

Group donates neon signs to Route 66 Neon Park

The Friends of the Mother Road nonprofit group this week donated neon signs from the Stanley Cour-Tel and Lin-Air Motel on Route 66 in St. Louis to the future Route 66 Neon Park in St. Robert, Missouri. According to a news release from Beth Wiles of Pulaski County Route 66 Preservation: Both properties were razed … Continue reading Group donates neon signs to Route 66 Neon Park

Axl Rose wears Coral Court Motel shirt during St. Louis show

Among the many fascinating things that occurred during the Guns N' Roses concert Thursday in St. Louis was frontman Axl Rose wearing a Coral Court Motel T-shirt. For those unfamiliar, the Coral Court Motel was one of the most distinctive Art Deco motels along Route 66. It stood on the southwest side of St. Louis … Continue reading Axl Rose wears Coral Court Motel shirt during St. Louis show

Staffers’ favorite parts of the Route 66 exhibit at the Missouri History Museum

The Missouri History Museum in St. Louis recently launched a video series about the current "Route 66: Main Street Through St. Louis" exhibit. Staffers with the museum are asked about their favorite parts of the show. Here are their answers: https://youtu.be/luXK_W5gIOo https://youtu.be/ZvTMTKVPOi8 https://youtu.be/PYNuRNa1za8 And here is a 30-second trailer about the exhibit itself. https://youtu.be/CgY0tM7gxBo The Route … Continue reading Staffers’ favorite parts of the Route 66 exhibit at the Missouri History Museum

Chuck Berry, R.I.P.

Word came over Saturday afternoon that Chuck Berry, the Father of Rock 'n' Roll, died at his home near Wentzville, Missouri, west of St. Louis, at age 90. Local authorities didn't give a cause of death, but Chuck's son said his father had ailed from pneumonia in recent weeks. Berry was best-known writing and performing … Continue reading Chuck Berry, R.I.P.

Son of tony restaurant owner charged in shooting at Eat-Rite Diner

The son of one of the most acclaimed restaurants in St. Louis -- even the country -- was charged with shooting a man during a dispute in the parking lot of one of the city's most blue-collar restaurants, the Eat-Rite Diner. James Bommarito, 51, is accused of shooting and lightly wounding Anthony Bertoglio, 30, in the … Continue reading Son of tony restaurant owner charged in shooting at Eat-Rite Diner

Midwest Terminal Building in St. Louis added to National Register

The Midwest Terminal Building in St. Louis, better known as the Globe-Democrat Building or the Globe Building, was added to the National Register of Historic Places, according to an email Friday from the National Park Service. The National Register listing was effective Jan. 23, according to the email. The building sits at 700-720 N. Tucker Blvd. … Continue reading Midwest Terminal Building in St. Louis added to National Register

Missouri History Museum sees highest attendance since 1930s

  The Missouri History Museum in St. Louis finished 2016 with its highest attendance in about 80 years, and a Route 66 exhibit is being partially credited for that. KSDK-TV in St. Louis reports the museum logged more than 500,000 visitors in the just-finished year. The station reported: "Most museums rely on one big exhibit, … Continue reading Missouri History Museum sees highest attendance since 1930s

Facade of Donut Drive-In in St. Louis gets face-lift

Just before Christmas, the original facade for the Donut Drive-In along Route 66 in St. Louis was restored for the first time in decades with the help of a federal grant. The building at 6525 Chippewa St. (aka Route 66) now sports backlit Plexiglas panels on three sides with lettering from the same style as … Continue reading Facade of Donut Drive-In in St. Louis gets face-lift