Route 66 bolsters Illinois recovery in tourism

The state of Illinois announced that tourism returned to pre-recession levels in 2011, with Route 66 helping drive that recovery, reported the Chicago Tribune. The state reported hosting more than 93.3 million visitors, up 10.2 percent from 2010 and surpassing the previous record of 91 million in 2006. The increase outpaced a national average gain … Continue reading Route 66 bolsters Illinois recovery in tourism

Private prison operator is likely source of Santa Rosa’s tax rebate

Documents obtained by the Guadalupe County Communicator indicate a private prison operator is the likely source of the gross receipts tax rebate that has put the City of Santa Rosa, N.M., in a fiscal crisis. The GEO Group is the only local employer given a tax refund this year that's big enough to cover what … Continue reading Private prison operator is likely source of Santa Rosa’s tax rebate

Several Missouri Route 66 oral histories placed online

Missouri State University has placed online several interview transcripts and photos from the Route 66 Oral History Project, conducted by members of the Route 66 Association of Missouri. Conducted in 2005-06, the interview subjects were: Robert Boots, whose parents owned the Boots Motel and Boots Drive-In in Carthage, Mo. Julia Chaney, wife of Red Chaney, … Continue reading Several Missouri Route 66 oral histories placed online

Event will honor Ernie Edwards and his Pig Hip

A free cookout and other activities are set for Ernie and Fran Edwards Route 66 International Appreciation Day from 1 to 4 p.m. Aug. 5 at the Pig Hip restaurant site in Broadwell, Ill., according to a news release from Logan County Tourism. At 2 p.m., the Illinois Route 66 Preservation Committee will dedicate the … Continue reading Event will honor Ernie Edwards and his Pig Hip

Tales from the Dust Bowl

This Land Press, based in Tulsa, recently put together this audio story about the Dust Bowl of the 1930s, combining clips from the Oklahoma Oral History Research Program and narration by musician and historian Tom Naples. What's eerie about this program is that Oklahoma -- and much of the U.S. -- also is going through a … Continue reading Tales from the Dust Bowl

A different kind of time-lapse trip

Shaun Callahan recently took a trip from Baltimore to Santa Monica, Calif., much of it on Route 66. This clip shows the trip in a time-lapse mode, but with a twist -- he periodically superimposes images of landmarks from the Mother Road. Route 66 in 6 Minutes and 66 Seconds from Shaun Callahan on Vimeo.

De Anza project suddenly looks more doubtful

A developer who is seeking to revitalize the long-closed De Anza Motor Lodge in Albuquerque has delayed his scheduled groundbreaking until at least August until a financing snag can be worked out, reported the New Mexico Business Weekly. Developer Rob Dickson says the chances of a groundbreaking next month are 50/50. The newspaper said: The … Continue reading De Anza project suddenly looks more doubtful

Section of Route 66 west of Oatman closed

A section of Route 66 between Golden Shores, Ariz., and Oatman, Ariz., remains closed after weekend storms washed debris onto the roadway and damaged it, reported the Mohave Daily News. Monte Wilson, onstruction/design manager for the Mohave County Engineering Department, says it's uncertain when the road will reopen. The road is closed from Boundary Cone … Continue reading Section of Route 66 west of Oatman closed

A visit to Molly’s Landing

A good story filed by KWTV-TV in Oklahoma City tells about Molly's Landing, off Route 66 in Catoosa, Okla. Click this link for the video. I'm sure, however, that a few restaurants along Route 66 in Texas would dispute the "best steak on Route 66" boast. One thing the TV station overlooked was Molly's Landing … Continue reading A visit to Molly’s Landing

Zoning approved to convert Joliet church to senior housing, Route 66 center

The City Council of Joliet, Ill., approved zoning changes Monday that would allow a developer to convert a long-closed church into senior housing and a Route 66 visitors center, reported the Chicago Tribune. St. Mary’s Carmelite Church, built in 1882, had been closed for 20 years in downtown Joliet. The developer, Celadon Holdings of Chicago, … Continue reading Zoning approved to convert Joliet church to senior housing, Route 66 center