John Steinbeck's novel "The Grapes of Wrath" is marking its 75th anniversary next year. To mark the occasion, three artists associated with the National Steinbeck Center in Salinas, Calif., are traveling on the real-life Route 66, starting today in Oklahoma, to trace the Joad family's trek in the book. According to the Monterey County Herald: … Continue reading Artists retrace Joads’ trip on Route 66 in “Grapes of Wrath”
Category: Books
Michael Wallis confirms there will be a “Cars 3”
Michael Wallis, author of "Route 66: The Mother Road," recently traveled to Alton, Ill., for a reunion of Western Military Academy alums. You'll hear him during this 25-minute interview on WGBZ radio in Alton about the military school, plus Route 66 and his role in the movie "Cars." But about the 22-minute mark, you'll hear … Continue reading Michael Wallis confirms there will be a “Cars 3”
The story of Tulsa’s El Rancho Grande restaurant
Mark Brown at This Land Press wrote a long piece about the history and amazing consistency of Tulsa's first Mexican restaurant, El Rancho Grande, which still serves customers on 11th Street (aka Route 66) more than 60 years after it opened. The whole thing is worth reading, but here are a few nuggets from it: … Continue reading The story of Tulsa’s El Rancho Grande restaurant
Footage from the Bunion Derby
Here's rare footage of runners participating in C.C. Pyle's International Transcontinental Foot Race, aka the Bunion Derby, in 1928. Two-thirds of the Los Angeles-to-New York race took place on a fledgling Route 66. The footage is an excerpt from the Solomon Sir Jones Collection at Yale University. Jones was an African-American preacher who took his … Continue reading Footage from the Bunion Derby
Major Route 66 exhibit coming to Autry Center in a year
I just got this news release today. Some of you folks already know about it. But for those who don't ... We are one year away from the opening of a major exhibition on the history of the Mother Road. "Route 66: The Road and the Romance" will open on June 7, 2014, at the … Continue reading Major Route 66 exhibit coming to Autry Center in a year
On the trail of Ed Ruscha
Students from the University of Oklahoma traveled Route 66 to find the remnants of gas stations portrayed in photographer Ed Ruscha's influential 1963 art book, "Twentysix Gasoline Stations," according to the Kingman (Ariz.) Daily Miner. The effort is part of Road to Ruscha, a two-week course that offers three college credits and a road trip … Continue reading On the trail of Ed Ruscha
Publisher will take mobile bookstore down Route 66
A major book publisher, Penguin Group USA, will drive a mobile bookstore on Route 66 from Oklahoma to California this fall, according to a news release today. The mobile bookstore -- basically a tricked-out moving truck -- will make several appearances at book events this year. This is the one most relevant to the Mother … Continue reading Publisher will take mobile bookstore down Route 66
Library planned in abandoned Route 66 gas station in Mojave Desert
An artist and an author plan to establish a Philosopher's Library inside an abandoned gas station along Route 66 east of Amboy, Calif. The Philosopher's Library website contained these details: In our age of increasing distractions, the need for perspective and reflection is essential. Candy Chang and James A. Reeves will transform an abandoned gas station on Route 66 … Continue reading Library planned in abandoned Route 66 gas station in Mojave Desert
Jay Leno interviews Route 66 authors
I bet this was quite a thrill. Buddies Sal Santoro and Bob Walton were recently interviewed on "Jay Leno's Garage" by the host about their Route 66 book. "Route 66 -- The People, The Places, The Dream" can be ordered here. You can read my review of the book here.
California Route 66 advocate Vivian Davies dies
Vivian Davies, a founder of the California Historic Route 66 Association and an author of a vital Route 66 guidebook to California, died on April 5 at age 95 in Sedona, Ariz., reported her daughter. Davies "didn't want anything extra done about her" her daughter said in an email, so there was no funeral service. … Continue reading California Route 66 advocate Vivian Davies dies