A nonprofit group has formed to raise money to eventually restore the lighting on the huge "Yukon's Best Flour" sign on top of the Yukon Grain & Mill Co. building near Route 66 in Yukon, Okla., reports KOTV. Grady Cross, owner of Grady's Route 66 Pub, helped form a nonprofit that seeks to raise funds … Continue reading Nonprofit formed to relight Yukon sign
Month: June 2012
Book review: “Life on Route 66”
The wife-and-husband team of Claudia and Alan Heller bring enthusiasm and knowledge to their new book "Life on Route 66: Personal Accounts along the Mother Road to California" (History Press, 158 pages, paperback, e-book available). But it's the people who experienced Route 66 during its heyday -- and their stories -- who make "Life on … Continue reading Book review: “Life on Route 66”
66 Motel sign in Needles relit
The historic neon sign of the 66 Motel in Needles, Calif., was relit Saturday night by Ed Klein of Route 66 World. The City of Needles also will fix a problem with a transformer and bulbs in the "66" part of the sign. In an email, Klein said: We are still suffering from grounding issues, … Continue reading 66 Motel sign in Needles relit
Elkhart strives to keep its “quaint” look
The State Journal-Register in Springfield, Ill., published a story today about how a volunteer project in the small town of Elkhart, Ill., keeps the town looking more attractive to Route 66 tourists -- many of which are from foreign countries. Elkhart started its 2012 Clean & Green initiative in January to keep the town clean, safe and green. … Continue reading Elkhart strives to keep its “quaint” look
Aussies will get a dose of “Billy Connolly’s Route 66”
After encountering much success in England, the television series "Billy Connolly's Route 66" will air starting tonight on the Seven Network in Australia. This video was posted on The Age, an Australian publication. It includes some footage from the program: Connolly, a well-known Scottish comedian and actor, and his film crew traveled Route 66 for … Continue reading Aussies will get a dose of “Billy Connolly’s Route 66”
A virtual tour of Route 66 from Victorville to Barstow
This so-called virtual tour of Route 66 from Victorville to Barstow, Calif., was surprisingly informative. It's produced by Backroadswest.com. The first portion goes from Victorville to Helendale: https://youtu.be/g2A77snkD6E The second part goes from Helendale to Barstow: https://youtu.be/jJNUbqWr6WE Backroadswest also put up a Route 66 page about this section.
Route 66 neon sign program approved by Tulsa council
The Tulsa City Council on Thursday approved a $703 million budget that included Councilor Blake Ewing's plan for a $50,000 cost-share fund that would restore neon signs or upgrade them to neon along the Route 66 corridor, reported the Tulsa World. An earlier World story explained Ewing's proposal: Ewing wants to see the city dollar amount … Continue reading Route 66 neon sign program approved by Tulsa council
No gas needed
Back in 2010, FedEx demonstrated its new all-electric vehicles by taking a cruise down Route 66. Here is a short video about that journey: FedEx - Route 66 from Roger Atkins on Vimeo.
Whittier Square area in Tulsa named to National Register
Whittier Square Historic District, which includes an older alignment of Route 66 in Tulsa, was named to the National Register of Historic Places effective June 15, according to an email today from the National Park Service. The roughly four-block-square area is bounded by Lewis Avenue to the east, First Avenue to the south, Zunis Avenue … Continue reading Whittier Square area in Tulsa named to National Register
Pontiac and Route 66 booster Betty Estes dies
Betty Estes, the first tourism director for Pontiac, Ill., and a longtime booster of her town and Route 66, died Wednesday at age 81, reported the Bloomington Pantagraph and Pontiac Daily Leader. She served as Pontiac's treasurer, then its tourism director from 1999 to 2005. Among her key accomplishments were developing the Illinois Route 66 Red … Continue reading Pontiac and Route 66 booster Betty Estes dies