Ghost town -- a once-flourishing town wholly or nearly deserted usually as a result of the exhaustion of some natural resource. -- Merriam-Webster dictionary The term "ghost town" conjures images of abandoned, dusty, and tumbleweed-strewn buildings in a once-bustling Wild West town founded in the 1800s. However, in the case of historic U.S. 66, ghost towns are … Continue reading Book review: “Ghost Towns of Route 66”
Category: Books
Pearls of news items
Today, I was asked to attend the Route 66 Archives and Research Collaboration at Oklahoma State University-Tulsa. The event was organized by the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program. I made my pitch for the ample online news archives of Route 66 News. But, as is typical of such gatherings, I heard a few pearls of … Continue reading Pearls of news items
From the trail of “End of the Trail”
Dan Rice of 66 to Cali on the Santa Monica Pier is traveling down Route 66 to the Midwest to promote his new book, "End of the Trail." Here's his interview yesterday with host Pat Campbell on KFAQ-AM in Tulsa. Rice mostly talks about his recovery from traumatic brain injury, but he also talks about … Continue reading From the trail of “End of the Trail”
66-to-Cali owner going on a book publicity tour
Dan Rice, owner of the 66-to-Cali souvenir booth on the Santa Monica Pier, will start a book-publicity tour next week for his new biography, "End of the Trail." "End of the Trail" (The Way Things Are Publications, 242 pages, $24.95 retail) tells of Rice's eight-year ordeal to recover from traumatic brain injury incurred during an … Continue reading 66-to-Cali owner going on a book publicity tour
La Posada chef receives prestigious nomination
John Sharpe, chef of the Turquoise Room restaurant in the historic La Posada hotel in Winslow, Ariz., received a nomination as one of the country's best chefs by the James Beard Foundation, according to the Arizona Republic. Sharpe is one of the 20 semifinalists -- including those in Aspen, Santa Fe, and Las Vegas -- … Continue reading La Posada chef receives prestigious nomination
Harvey House in Barstow marks 100 years
The landmark Harvey House in Barstow, Calif., is marking its centennial, and a celebration is planned in the coming weeks, according to the Desert Dispatch newspaper. [T]he Chamber is planning a community-wide carnival style celebration of the Harvey House’s 100th anniversary in the spring, although details have yet to be worked out. The current Harvey … Continue reading Harvey House in Barstow marks 100 years
Event revives the Bunion Derby
One of the fabled moments of Route 66 history was 1928's Transcontinental Foot Race, better known as the Bunion Derby. Going more than 3,200 miles from Los Angeles to New York City, it gave early publicity to the fledgling U.S. Highway 66 and provided fame and $25,000 in prize money to Oklahoma native Andy Payne, … Continue reading Event revives the Bunion Derby
Book about “Route 66” TV show has been revamped
James Rosin, who published a book about the "Route 66" television drama a few years ago, in mid-January published an extensively revised and augmented edition. "Route 66: The Television Series" (286 pages, softcover, Autumn Road, $21.95) contains about 100 more pages than its 2007 predecessor. (A review of the first book can be read here.) … Continue reading Book about “Route 66” TV show has been revamped
Newest edition of Dining and Lodging Guide is out
In the mail Monday, we received a copy of the 15th edition of the "Route 66 Dining & Lodging Guide," published by the National Historic Route 66 Federation. According to federation Executive Director David Knudson, the newest edition contains 48 additional pages (for a total of 166), is printed on better-quality paper, and boasts 200 … Continue reading Newest edition of Dining and Lodging Guide is out
Longtime Route 66 researchers endorse GPS product
Longtime Route 66 researchers Jim Ross and Jerry McClanahan have endorsed the "Route 66 Attractions" global-positioning system download that became available in December for Nuvi, Zumu, Oregon, Dakota, or StreetPilot GPS units by Garmin. This is a nice coup for the GPS program. Ross and McClanahan developed the popular "Here It Is!" map series for Route … Continue reading Longtime Route 66 researchers endorse GPS product