The number of volunteers that help run the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton has plunged from 30 to just three after the COVID-19 pandemic. So the museum's director is putting out a plea for more volunteers. Pat Smith, the museum's director, revealed that startling loss in volunteer help in a recent story in the … Continue reading Number of volunteers at Oklahoma Route 66 Museum plunges after COVID-19 pandemic
Category: People
Ted Drewes Frozen Custard owner distressed by lack of progress for safety measures
The owner of the iconic Ted Drewes Frozen Custard stand in St. Louis said he's bothered terribly about the lack of promised safety improvements after two pedestrians died in front of the Route 66 landmark more than a year ago. More from a detailed story from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: There are no bollards reinforcing … Continue reading Ted Drewes Frozen Custard owner distressed by lack of progress for safety measures
Carol Duncan, longtime booster for Route 66 in western Oklahoma, dies at 80
Carol Duncan, a booster of Route 66 in western Oklahoma and a volunteer or officer for the Oklahoma Route 66 Association for over 30 years, died on Dec. 18 at a hospital in Oklahoma City. She was 80. She was cremated and buried next to her parents in Lawnview Cemetery in Cordell, Oklahoma. The association … Continue reading Carol Duncan, longtime booster for Route 66 in western Oklahoma, dies at 80
The two tragedies that beset the Blue Hole in Santa Rosa
Most Route 66 fans know of the fabled Blue Hole in Santa Rosa, New Mexico, as a popular tourist site, especially for a dip on hot summer days, and a spot for scuba-dive training. What many don't know, however, is the twin tragedies that occurred within the deep underwater caverns at the site -- one … Continue reading The two tragedies that beset the Blue Hole in Santa Rosa
Frank and Lynne’s video Christmas card for 2023
In what's become a tradition at Route 66 News, here is the annual video Christmas greeting from Frank and Lynne Kocevar, the former owners of Historic Seligman Sundries in Seligman, Arizona. This year's video shows various Christmas scenes throughout the Southwest, mostly in Texas and Arizona. https://vimeo.com/892555045 Looking over our archives, this is the Kocevars' … Continue reading Frank and Lynne’s video Christmas card for 2023
Claudia Heller, longtime columnist and Route 66 historian, dies at 79
Claudia Heller, a longtime columnist for several newspapers in Southern California and an enthusiastic Route 66 researcher, died at 79. The San Gabriel Valley Tribune reported she died on Dec. 11 after a lengthy illness. She and her husband of 60 years, Alan, were just a few days from each celebrating their 80th birthdays. Claudia … Continue reading Claudia Heller, longtime columnist and Route 66 historian, dies at 79
Three named to Laclede County Route 66 Wall of Fame’s latest class
Three individuals will be inducted into the Laclede County Route 66 Wall of Fame during a ceremony next month. The Lebanon-Laclede County Route 66 Society announced the third set of inductees last week. The ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. on Jan. 27 at the Cowan Civic Center in Lebanon, Missouri, during the society's … Continue reading Three named to Laclede County Route 66 Wall of Fame’s latest class
Route 66 Podcast is offering scholarships for students from kindergarten through college
Anthony Arno of the Route 66 Podcast recently announced he is offering Route 66 scholarships ranging from $25 to $1,000 for students from kindergarten age through college. Here's what Arno stated in an email: Students simply need to show the spirit of Route 66 in their very own creative and expressive way. Past recipients can be … Continue reading Route 66 Podcast is offering scholarships for students from kindergarten through college
Joliet Area Historical Museum interested in buying closed Launching Pad Drive-In restaurant
The Joliet Area Historical Museum is considering the acquisition of the closed Launching Pad Drive-In restaurant -- best known for its unique, 28-foot-tall Gemini Giant fiberglass statue -- in nearby Wilmington, Illinois. The Herald-News published the story Saturday less than a week after the Launching Pad was listed for $1.4 million on the Crexi commercial … Continue reading Joliet Area Historical Museum interested in buying closed Launching Pad Drive-In restaurant
A chance meeting with Roger Miller’s brother in Erick
Otis Gibbs, who regularly posts interviews with music artists on his YouTube channel, recently was traveling on Route 66 and by happenstance bumped into Roger Miller's brother in front of the Roger Miller mural in his adopted hometown of Erick, Oklahoma. You'll find the quirky sense of humor Roger had was passed along to his … Continue reading A chance meeting with Roger Miller’s brother in Erick