A weeks-long project to repair the 120-year-old Round Barn in Arcadia, Oklahoma, was finished on Feb. 9. The general contractor, Holman Construction, said the repairs would add another 30 years of life to the Route 66 landmark. The cost was a little more than $110,000, with $30,000 coming from a grant from the Route 66 … Continue reading Repairs to Arcadia’s Round Barn were completed this month
Category: History
Pig hip sandwiches predated Ernie Edwards’ restaurant in Broadwell along Route 66
A few online sources claim Ernie Edwards (sometimes listed as "Earnie") of the Pig Hip Restaurant along Route 66 in Broadwell, Illinois, was the inventor of his famous pig hip sandwiches. However, recent research effectively refutes that claim. First, a little background. Edwards ran what was the Pig Hip Restaurant in Broadwell from 1937 until … Continue reading Pig hip sandwiches predated Ernie Edwards’ restaurant in Broadwell along Route 66
White Fence Farm Restaurant in Romeoville begins 70th year in business
The landmark Original White Fence Farm Restaurant along Route 66 in Romeoville, Illinois, earlier this month began its 70th year in business under the Hastert family, though its roots go back about a century. The original restaurant at 1376 Joliet Road (aka Route 66) and its three other locations in the Chicagoland area closed for … Continue reading White Fence Farm Restaurant in Romeoville begins 70th year in business
Then-and-now slideshow of Albuquerque added to Central Avenue buses
Riders on Albuquerque Rapid Transit buses have a chance to glimpse at the city's past with a slideshow of Central Avenue (aka Route 66) and other landmarks from many decades ago to the current day. According to the Albuquerque Journal, the slides show Central Avenue when it was just a dirt road, then in the … Continue reading Then-and-now slideshow of Albuquerque added to Central Avenue buses
Great Rivers & Routes video features Doc’s Just off 66 in Girard
The Great Rivers & Routes tourism bureau recently began a "Main Street of America" video series. The first video, which dropped in the last few days, features Doc's Just Off 66 soda fountain and restaurant in downtown Girard, Illinois. The video's hosts, Kevin and Emily, are understandably agog at the historic memorabilia on display at … Continue reading Great Rivers & Routes video features Doc’s Just off 66 in Girard
Oklahoma Route 66 Association puts 30 years of newsletters in online archive
The Oklahoma Route 66 Association recently announced it had placed about 30 years of its quarterly newsletters on an online archive, including its very first issue in 1990. Association President Rhys Martin stated the archive provides "a window into the past to show how far we’ve come.” The newsletters chart the ups and downs over … Continue reading Oklahoma Route 66 Association puts 30 years of newsletters in online archive
Cool Springs Camp is marking the 20th year of its resurrection
Cool Springs Camp between Kingman and Oatman, Arizona, this year is marking the 20th anniversary of its improbable resurrection and reopening. "Improbable" is warranted because the old Route 66 gas station was abandoned for years, then literally blown up in a scene in the 1991 Jean Claude Van Damme movie "Universal Soldier." Here's the scene … Continue reading Cool Springs Camp is marking the 20th year of its resurrection
Fort Reno officers’ quarters gets $50,000 grant to replace windows
The nearly 90-year-old officers' quarters building at the Fort Reno Visitor’s Center and Museum near El Reno, Oklahoma, recently received a $50,000 grant to replace its old windows. The Yukon Progress, based in nearby Yukon, Oklahoma, reported the officers' quarters at the fort initially was built in 1876, and then rebuilt in 1936. The grant … Continue reading Fort Reno officers’ quarters gets $50,000 grant to replace windows
This is the 100th anniversary when a Pasadena diner reputedly introduced the cheeseburger
This month marks the 100th anniversary when a restaurant along future Route 66 in Pasadena, California, reputedly introduced the cheeseburger. The Rite Spot restaurant in the 1500 block of West Colorado Boulevard offered an "Original Hamburger with Cheese" for 15 cents in January 1924, according to the Pasadena Convention and Visitors Bureau. As the tale … Continue reading This is the 100th anniversary when a Pasadena diner reputedly introduced the cheeseburger
Santa Monica Pier was nearly lost by a storm 41 years ago
The iconic Santa Monica Pier -- the traditional western endpoint for many Route 66 travelers -- nearly was destroyed by a severe storm and some bad decisions by a contractor 41 years ago. That factoid was revealed during a Santa Monica Daily News story about walking tours offered at the 115-year-old pier: Back in the … Continue reading Santa Monica Pier was nearly lost by a storm 41 years ago