The Fire Rock Casino, on Route 66 east of Gallup, N.M., and owned by the Navajo Nation, opened to the public on Wednesday, reports the Gallup Independent. Shortly before the 4 p.m. grand opening, a crowd of thousands was lined up, three and four deep, all the way around one side of the 65,000-square-foot building. … Continue reading Newest casino on Route 66 opens
Month: November 2008
Historical icon returning to Miami
There was a time that an Ozark Trail obelisk once graced the Route 66 town of Miami, Okla. It's been gone for many years. But, according to the Miami News-Record, it will return: On Monday, councilmembers accepted the recommendation that a 21-foot obelisk be placed on the corner of Central Avenue and Main Street - … Continue reading Historical icon returning to Miami
Oklahoma City to host international Harley rally
Harley-Davidson will hold its annual H.O.G. (Harley Owners Group) international rally in Oklahoma City on June 26-27, according to Motorcycle-USA.com. The rally will be in Oklahoma State Fair Park. A total of 15,000 to 20,000 Harley riders are expected to attend. Activities at CLUB H.O.G. OKC will include musical entertainment on two stages, stunt and … Continue reading Oklahoma City to host international Harley rally
Another stocking-stuffer
In case you didn't get to the National Preservation Conference in Tulsa last month, you now can buy over the Internet the Route 66 T-shirts recently created by the folks at Vintage Roadside, which specializes in putting retro graphics from defunct roadside businesses onto apparel. Here's the story about this T-shirt: Route 66, also known … Continue reading Another stocking-stuffer
Senator blocking bill for Route 66 program
I got this e-mail today from David Knudson, executive director of the National Historic Route 66 Federation, about the bill that contains proposal to renew the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program: Well, Senator Coburn is filibustering the bill. It takes a week to break a filibuster and the Senate won't waste the time this year. … Continue reading Senator blocking bill for Route 66 program
That’s a big tree
The town of Williams, Ariz., now has a 48-foot-tall Christmas tree that will sit at the intersection of Route 66 and Second Street, according to KNXV-TV in Phoenix. The tree was harvested from the nearby forest. There will be a lighting ceremony at 6 p.m. Nov. 28 to kick off the holiday season. The Arizona … Continue reading That’s a big tree
Site updates
I've made significant updates on portions of the Web site, especially the Calendar of Events. I think most of the Route 66-related festivals in 2009 are now listed, but a few towns haven't scheduled them yet. If I'm missing one, drop me a line and I'll try to add it. Also, I've added links to … Continue reading Site updates
Theater lauded as tourism draw
The Coleman Theatre Beautiful in Miami, Okla., was named the top tourism attraction in northeastern Oklahoma by the Grand Lake Association, reports the Joplin Globe. Smith said the Coleman, which opened in 1929 as a vaudeville palace and movie theater, continues to draw increased tourism each year. Its proximity along Route 66 attracts many visitors. … Continue reading Theater lauded as tourism draw
Braidwood depot will be moved
The 126-year-old railroad depot on Route 66 and Illinois 113 in Braidwood, Ill., has been donated to the city by its owners. A nearby nuclear plant also gave $30,000 to the city to help defray the costs of moving the depot to Center and Main streets, reports the Joliet Herald-News. While the depot anchors the … Continue reading Braidwood depot will be moved
Scenes from the Route 66 Marathon
I took a few photos early in the Route 66 Marathon on Sunday from the Cyrus Avery Route 66 Memorial Bridge in Tulsa, including one shot from the overpass itself that overlooks the Mother Road. The top finisher of the 26.2 miles was Jerry Faulkner of Tulsa in a record time of 2 hours, 27 … Continue reading Scenes from the Route 66 Marathon