This book isn't your typical nostalgic road trip down Route 66. Instead, Jim Hinckley's "Murder and Mayhem on the Main Street of America" (paperback, 256 pages, Rio Nuevo Publishers, photographs) exists as a travelogue of the horrific wrecks, disasters, gangsters, race riots and mad-dog killers along even bucolic towns on Route 66. Subtitled "Tales from … Continue reading Book review: “Murder and Mayhem on the Main Street of America”
Category: Books
OKPOP museum breaks ground in Tulsa
Local and state officials participated Wednesday in the ceremonial groundbreaking for the Oklahoma Museum of Popular Culture, or OKPOP, in downtown Tulsa. The museum, which anticipates an opening in late 2021, will be filled with memorabilia and information about musicians, film stars, authors and artists with Oklahoma ties. It will be across the street from … Continue reading OKPOP museum breaks ground in Tulsa
OKPOP museum will break ground soon in downtown Tulsa
The Oklahoma Museum of Popular Culture, aka OKPOP, will break ground this month across the street from the historic Cain’s Ballroom in downtown Tulsa, officials announced last week. The groundbreaking ceremony is set for 10 a.m. Oct. 23, and the governor and other officials will attend, reported the Tulsa World newspaper. Construction on the OKPOP … Continue reading OKPOP museum will break ground soon in downtown Tulsa
Book review: “Drive-Ins of Route 66: Yesterday and Today”
It's hard to believe now, but more than 100 drive-in theaters once existed on or near Route 66. The number now is seven. That factoid and many more are found in Michael Kilgore's well-researched and brisk-reading "Drive-Ins of Route 66: Yesterday and Today" (Neon Jukebox, 176 pages, illustrated, e-book available). Kilgore is the big kahuna … Continue reading Book review: “Drive-Ins of Route 66: Yesterday and Today”
Book review: “The American Dream?: A Journey on Route 66”
Shin Yin Khor's graphic memoir "The American Dream?: A Journey on Route 66" turns out to be an unusual travelogue. Not only is it created by a comic artist, but it comes from the perspective of a young American from the so-called Left Coast who was born in another country. Subtitled "Discovering Dinosaur Statues, Muffler … Continue reading Book review: “The American Dream?: A Journey on Route 66”
Influential photographer Robert Frank dies at 94
Robert Frank, whose gritty photography along the roadways, streets and landscapes of America influenced generations of photographers, died at age 94 this week, according to several media outlets. Frank remained best-known for his 1958 book, "The Americans," that contained one image along Route 66 in Arizona. Frank made a big impact on other photographers who … Continue reading Influential photographer Robert Frank dies at 94
The Outsiders House Museum opens in Tulsa
A key actor in the film, the novel's author and the savior of the home cut the ribbon last week to symbolize the opening of The Outsiders House Museum in Tulsa. "The Outsiders" author S.E. Hinton; C. Thomas Howell, who portrayed Ponyboy Curtis in the 1983 film adaptation; and rapper Danny O'Connor, who renovated the … Continue reading The Outsiders House Museum opens in Tulsa
Chicago Route 66 expert writing his memoirs in serialized form
David G. Clark, known as the Windy City Road Warrior for his extensive knowledge of Route 66 in Chicago, is offering people a chance to read his in-progress memoirs in emailed, serialized form. Clark said he'll be sending out sections of the book by email every two or three weeks. The first installment was sent … Continue reading Chicago Route 66 expert writing his memoirs in serialized form
“Murder and Mayhem on the Main Street of America” will be published next month
Jim Hinckley's latest book, "Murder and Mayhem on the Main Street of America," will be published by Arizona-based Rio Nuevo Publishers, and Amazon already is taking preorders. Subtitled "Tales from Bloody 66," Hinckley took a hard look at the darker history of the Mother Road. Here's the blurb from the publisher: Families on vacation. Serial … Continue reading “Murder and Mayhem on the Main Street of America” will be published next month
How about a Horseshoe Trail in Illinois?
A person who wrote a letter to the editor to the weekly Illinois Times newspaper, based in Springfield, came up with an intriguing idea -- promoting restaurants that serve horseshoe sandwiches in the Land of Lincoln. A horseshoe sandwich in Springfield, Illinois. In case you haven't heard of a horseshoe, it consists of thick-sliced toasted … Continue reading How about a Horseshoe Trail in Illinois?