Rich Henry, owner of the landmark Henry's Rabbit Ranch in Staunton, Illinois, died suddenly Friday, according to locals and Route 66 enthusiasts who knew him well. An exact age for Henry wasn't available, though he listed on his Facebook page he graduated from high school in 1965. That would put his age in his mid-70s. … Continue reading Rich Henry, longtime owner of Henry’s Rabbit Ranch in Staunton, dies
Category: History
New video details the changes on Route 66 between 2007 and 2024
Route 66 enthusiast Mike Curtis, aka 2 Lane Traveler on YouTube, recently created a 20-minute video detailing the changes on the Mother Road from 2007 to 2024. The video thumbnail comes with a provocative question: "Thriving or dying?" (Spoiler alert: Definitely not dying; Curtis asserts the old road is simply changing.) https://youtu.be/qpNoshXr-bY?si=_dsqhgfTLccLQgKs The video is … Continue reading New video details the changes on Route 66 between 2007 and 2024
Four eateries on or near Route 66 win $50,000 Backing Historic Small Restaurants grants
Four eateries along or near Route 66 will receive $50,000 Backing Historic Small Restaurants grants from the National Trust for Historic Preservation and American Express. The primarily Route 66-based recipients, announced Monday, are: La Cita Restaurant, Tucumcari, New Mexico Doc's Just Off 66, Girard, Illinois La Paloma Mexican Restaurant, La Verne, California A lesser-known fourth … Continue reading Four eateries on or near Route 66 win $50,000 Backing Historic Small Restaurants grants
Jerry McClanahan, the late Bunny Neff inducted into Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame
Longtime Route 66 artist and researcher Jerry McClanahan of Chandler, Oklahoma, was inducted Saturday into the Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame at the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton. The other inductee was the late Jeannette “Bunny” Neff of Sayre, Oklahoma, who advocated for Route 66 in the western part of the state for … Continue reading Jerry McClanahan, the late Bunny Neff inducted into Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame
Totem Pole Trading Post in Rolla set to close in September
The historic Totem Pole Trading Post along Route 66 on the west side of Rolla, Missouri, will close in September after the retirement of longtime operator Tim Jones and his wife Alice. The State Historical Society of Missouri recently posted this reel of Jones on Facebook: The society stated: Tim's father bought the shop from … Continue reading Totem Pole Trading Post in Rolla set to close in September
“Impossible Interviews” video series interviews Route 66 itself
Longtime readers probably know of Roberto Rossi, a Route 66 enthusiast in Italy who published "Route 66: An American Myth" (review here) in 2017. Rossi now has started an "Impossible Interviews" series where he interviews Route 66 itself. https://youtu.be/5whmWFwcsVc?si=sR3LwK4Nn8Kb-nIg The ol' highway obviously can't talk, nor is it a sentient being. (Its voice, by the way, … Continue reading “Impossible Interviews” video series interviews Route 66 itself
New neon sign erected along Route 66 at Teofilo’s Restaurante in Los Lunas
The landmark Teofilo's Restaurante in Los Lunas, New Mexico, recently added a neon sign that pays tribute to its Route 66 location and heritage. According to the Valencia County News-Bulletin, restaurant owner Johnnah Torres wanted something more eye-catching and durable than the previous wooden sign. When thinking about what to do, Torres said it dawned … Continue reading New neon sign erected along Route 66 at Teofilo’s Restaurante in Los Lunas
Compromise leaves 1 mile of endangered Ribbon Road in Oklahoma untouched
A compromise between state and local officials will preserve one mile of the fabled Ribbon Road of original Route 66 in northeast Oklahoma after the county voted recently to grind up the asphalt on the three-mile stretch. KSNF-TV in nearby Joplin, Missouri, reported that Miami Mayor Bless Parker, state Rep. Steve Bashore, Lt. Gov. and … Continue reading Compromise leaves 1 mile of endangered Ribbon Road in Oklahoma untouched
A look at the Rock Cafe in Stroud 20 years ago
Dawn Welch, owner of the historic Rock Cafe in Stroud, Oklahoma, flagged this video from 2004 created by Jack Frank. Welch said it was just six years into her ownership. My mother has passed and this may be the only video recorded of her helping at the cafe. She literally taught me how to cook … Continue reading A look at the Rock Cafe in Stroud 20 years ago
Ariston Cafe in Litchfield marks 100 years of operation
The landmark Ariston Cafe in Litchfield, Illinois, is celebrating a century in business, though it wasn't always on its present location on Route 66. The Litchfield Chamber of Commerce is hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony today to mark the occasion. Former owners Nick and Demi Adam, who ran the restaurant for 52 years. are planning to … Continue reading Ariston Cafe in Litchfield marks 100 years of operation