Illinois announces seven grants for projects along Route 66

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity this week announced seven awards, totaling $3.3 million, through the Route 66 Grant Program. This funding is intended to boost local tourism and attract visitors to Route 66, leading up to the 100th anniversary of the highway in 2026, according to a … Continue reading Illinois announces seven grants for projects along Route 66

Four of the 16 “Most Iconic Old-Fashioned Diners in America” are found on Route 66

Recently, Eat This, Not That! compiled a list of the "16 Most Iconic Old-Fashioned Diners in America." In what shouldn't be a surprise, four of them are on old Route 66. Without further ado, here are the website's four diners with extensive ties to the Mother Road: Lou Mitchell's, Chicago Clanton's Cafe, Vinita, Oklahoma Mr. … Continue reading Four of the 16 “Most Iconic Old-Fashioned Diners in America” are found on Route 66

Illinois awards $6.6M in Route 66 and tourism marketing grants

The governor of Illinois and the state's Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced last week it would give 58 awards totaling $6.6 million through the Route 66 and Tourism Marketing Grant Programs to boost Route 66 tourism. The Route 66 grant program is awarding $3.7 million to seven recipients for the development of tourism, … Continue reading Illinois awards $6.6M in Route 66 and tourism marketing grants

Edmond, North Lawndale consider changes to their sections of Route 66

Edmond, Oklahoma, and the Chicago community of North Lawndale are considering significant changes to their stretches of Route 66. The Oklahoman recently reported that Edmond is taking a hard look at Broadway south of downtown, which served as Route 66 from 1926 to 1954. Between Second and the south edge of town, the road is … Continue reading Edmond, North Lawndale consider changes to their sections of Route 66

Restaurant in the former Grand Canyon Cafe in Flagstaff named a Beard Award finalist

Proper Meats + Provisions, a restaurant that took over the former historic Grand Canyon Cafe in downtown Flagstaff, Arizona, recently became a semifinalist for the prestigious James Beard Award for culinary excellence. Proper Meats, which also doubles as a butcher shop, was a semifinalist in the Outstanding Restaurant category of the annual Beard Awards. The … Continue reading Restaurant in the former Grand Canyon Cafe in Flagstaff named a Beard Award finalist

“The Great Muslim American Road Trip” coming to PBS this summer

"The Great Muslim American Road Trip," a documentary series about a Muslim couple traveling Route 66, will air on PBS-TV later this summer. The three-part series will be offered on PBS stations, PBS.org and the PBS app, reported Realscreen.com. The series follows rapper Mona Haydar and her husband Sebastian Robins as they explore the U.S. … Continue reading “The Great Muslim American Road Trip” coming to PBS this summer

David Clark, a foremost expert on Route 66 in the Chicago area, dies

David Clark, for decades the premier expert on Route 66 in Chicagoland known as the Windy City Road Warrior, died Tuesday, according to his stepson. Clark was scheduled Thursday night to lead a Zoom videoconference, "Myths on 66: Misinformation on the Mother Road." On Friday afternoon, Charles Aldarondo stated in a Facebook post that Clark, … Continue reading David Clark, a foremost expert on Route 66 in the Chicago area, dies

David Clark provides overview of Great Chicago Fire during its 150th anniversary

David G. Clark, known to Route 66 enthusiasts as the Windy City Road Warrior, recently produced a one-hour video about the Great Chicago Fire in 1871, right about the time of its 150th anniversary. The fire predates Route 66 by more than 50 years, but the fire was one of the most consequential events of … Continue reading David Clark provides overview of Great Chicago Fire during its 150th anniversary

Ed Debevic’s diner reopens at a new location in Chicago

Ed Debevic's restaurant, famous for its 1950s decor and theatrically surly waitstaff, has reopened in the Streeterville area of Chicago after its previous River North location was closed and demolished about six years ago. The old Ed Debevic's was north of Route 66 but provided such a unique experience that many Route 66 travelers included … Continue reading Ed Debevic’s diner reopens at a new location in Chicago

Chicago Cubs documentary explains how Wrigley Field was renovated

This well-produced video released last month by the Chicago Cubs baseball team, "Saving Wrigley Field," goes into considerable detail about how the century-old ballpark underwent a badly needed renovation a few years ago. If you have about an hour to kill, I commend it to your attention: https://youtu.be/xd9VrvheS-s Though the Wrigley Field project was large-scale, … Continue reading Chicago Cubs documentary explains how Wrigley Field was renovated