Route 66 in miniature

Willem Bor of the Netherlands is a big Route 66 fan, and has decided to make models of landmarks along the Mother Road. The models are in 1/25 scale. Here's one of Lucille's near Hydro, Okla.: Here's one of the 66 Super Service Station near Alanreed, Texas: These amazingly intricate and accurate models are not … Continue reading Route 66 in miniature

Hosea and the harlot

Here's the latest entry of "Route 66: A Road Trip through the Bible." It's the book of Hosea, and it features a character named Gomer -- and not Gomer Pyle.

Book about U.S. 89 published

We at Route 66 News concentrate on news concerning the Mother Road, but occasionally pay attention to developments about other historic two-lane highways. So it is with interest that we take note of a new photo-and-essay book by Ann Torrence titled "U.S. Highway 89: The Scenic Route to Seven Western National Parks" (Sagebrush Press, 160 … Continue reading Book about U.S. 89 published

Grants property nominated as historic site

Charlie's Radiator Service, a business that was established in the 1940s on Route 66 in Grants, N.M., was nominated as a state historic site, reported the Cibola County Beacon. The designation would make it eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. On the west end of Grants, Charles Diaz opened Charley's Automotive Service in … Continue reading Grants property nominated as historic site

Hello from Switzerland

It's just a couple of guys with guitars, playing Bobby Troup's "Route 66." But it's a good performance.

Notes from the road

If you're traveling the Mother Road this week, you may have to make other plans for the midsection. As this map from the National Weather Service shows, the Route 66 corridor is under a winter storm warning all the way from about Springfield, Mo., to Gallup, N.M. -- much of it freezing rain. Authorities closed … Continue reading Notes from the road

Rally ’round the bridge

Here's a St. Louis Post-Dispatch article today about efforts by the Route 66 Association of Missouri and other preservation groups to prevent the razing of the historic Route 66 Bridge at Route 66 State Park near Eureka. [...] Joe Sonderman of Hazelwood, a local traffic reporter and author of three books on Route 66, said … Continue reading Rally ’round the bridge

Opposition to museum tax proposal goes to Facebook

Less than a week ago, the city council of Joplin, Mo., voted to put a tax referendum on the April ballot to fund a move and expansion of the Joplin Museum Complex to Memorial Hall. Already, the opposition to the one-sixth-cent sales tax has organized on the Internet, with a "Save Memorial Hall" group on … Continue reading Opposition to museum tax proposal goes to Facebook

Motel living

Here's a nice video of the sights and sounds of two Route 66 icons -- the Wigwam Motel of Holbrook, Ariz., and the Blue Swallow Motel of Tucumcari, N.M.

Benld church will be converted to monastery

A 103-year-old Russian Orthodox Church on Route 66 in Benld, Ill., will be converted into a monastery -- instead of being razed -- because of declining attendance, reported the Springfield State Journal-Register. Mindful of Holy Dormition’s rich history, but acknowledging a declining membership and church rules that say an unused building must be torn down, … Continue reading Benld church will be converted to monastery