Four restaurants with strong Route 66 ties each received $40,000 Backing Historic Small Restaurants grants from the National Trust for Historic Preservation and American Express. The 25 restaurants receiving the 2023 round of grants were announced Friday by the National Trust. Here are the four along Route 66: Delgadillo's Snow Cap, Seligman, Arizona Mitla Café, … Continue reading Four Route 66 restaurants win $40,000 grants from National Trust fund
Category: History
Association seeks to complete restoration of McLean Phillips 66 station by October
The Texas Old Route 66 Association on Friday finished the re-roofing of the 1928 Phillips 66 station in McLean, Texas, and hopes to complete the final two stages of restoration by the association's motor tour in October. Gary Daggett, president of the association, said in a telephone interview the partial restoration of the station's pumps … Continue reading Association seeks to complete restoration of McLean Phillips 66 station by October
Unique volunteer and visitation opportunity is being offered at Threatt Filling Station
The historic Threatt Filling Station near Luther, Oklahoma, is offering a unique opportunity to visit the Route 66 landmark before it opens to the public, plus learning preservation methods. The Oklahoma Route 66 Association and the National Trust for Historic Preservation's HOPE Crew are sponsoring the event at the station at 21940 Oklahoma 66 (map … Continue reading Unique volunteer and visitation opportunity is being offered at Threatt Filling Station
Nat King Cole among new inductees at Illinois Rock and Roll Museum on Route 66
The Joliet-based Illinois Rock and Roll Museum on Route 66 recently announced its third class of inductees, and one of them made a key impact on Route 66 itself. That would be Nat King Cole, who was born in Alabama but spent his formative years in Chicago. He popularized "(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66" … Continue reading Nat King Cole among new inductees at Illinois Rock and Roll Museum on Route 66
Couple who walked across America in 2006 writes a book about their experiences
Very longtime readers of Route 66 News may remember Rick and Jane McKinney, an evangelical couple who walked across the United States -- including much of Route 66 -- in 2006 in an effort to share their Christian faith. Seventeen years later, the McKinneys published a book "And ... So We Walked" (Amazon link) about … Continue reading Couple who walked across America in 2006 writes a book about their experiences
New Mexico PBS stations air a documentary about La Fonda Hotel in Santa Fe
New Mexico PBS stations a few days ago broadcast a new 21-minute documentary about La Fonda on the Plaza, the storied and highly influential hotel in the middle of downtown Santa Fe. You can watch the film below. It's also available for viewing on the PBS app. According to a recent article in the Albuquerque … Continue reading New Mexico PBS stations air a documentary about La Fonda Hotel in Santa Fe
Gardenway Motel in Villa Ridge is torn down
The historic but closed Gardenway Motel in Villa Ridge, Missouri, was torn down last week, culminating a long decline for the Route 66 property. A number of Route 66 travelers and locals posted photographs and a video of the buildings being razed. A photographer posted this requiem of the motel: The Gardenway's demise had been … Continue reading Gardenway Motel in Villa Ridge is torn down
Route 66 Matchbook Cover Database grows in size
Nearly 18 months ago, Phil Gordon contacted me about his Route 66 Matchbook Cover Database and was asking for more submissions to it. At the time, the website contained 600 images of matchbooks from various businesses, past and present, along the Mother Road. Gordon recently informed me the database has swelled to more than 2,500 … Continue reading Route 66 Matchbook Cover Database grows in size
Local historian talks about Mrs. Orcutt and her home and driveway near Newberry Springs
Andy Jones interviewed local historian Paul Deel about his experiences with Bonnie Margaret Orcutt of Newberry Springs, California, as they explored the remains of her long-abandoned home. Jones said he was prompted to interview Deel after viewing a Sidetrack Adventures video, posted on this website, about Orcutt's infamous 4-mile-long driveway. Here's Jones' interview, which contains … Continue reading Local historian talks about Mrs. Orcutt and her home and driveway near Newberry Springs
Taft Stadium in Oklahoma City has hosted a lot more than just prep football
The nearly 90-year-old Taft Stadium in Oklahoma City remains a big focal point for high school football in that region. The red-stone facade of Taft Stadium, aka Energy FC Field, sits at 2501 N. May Ave. (aka Route 66) and was a Works Progress Administration project during the Great Depression era. It plays host to … Continue reading Taft Stadium in Oklahoma City has hosted a lot more than just prep football