A few days ago, Albuquerque television station KRQE produced a story about Little Beaver Town, a long-gone western-themed amusement park on the city's east edge on Route 66 that went bust after just three seasons during the 1960s. Roland Penttila, who has done a lot of research on Little Beaver Town, figures prominently in this … Continue reading More about the short-lived Little Beaver Town near Albuquerque
Category: Movies
Louie the Lumberjack statue in Flagstaff beheaded
The Louie the Lumberjack statue inside Northern Arizona University's Walkup Skydome in Flagstaff was beheaded -- probably as a prank -- after it was taken down in September during stadium renovations. NAZ Today, which is run by the university's students, has the story: https://youtu.be/LROIs4wFqls The university's newspaper, Jack Central, said the headless statue was reported … Continue reading Louie the Lumberjack statue in Flagstaff beheaded
“Almost Ghosts” Route 66 documentary premieres Wednesday in Spain
"Almost Ghosts," a documentary filmed by Ana Ramon Rubio in March along Route 66, will premiere at the Seminci Film Festival in Spain on Wednesday. Among those featured in the film are Harley Russell of the Sandhills Curiosity Shoppe in Erick, Oklahoma. Lowell Davis, an artist who re-created his hometown near Carthage, Missouri; and Angel Delgadillo, … Continue reading “Almost Ghosts” Route 66 documentary premieres Wednesday in Spain
“Outskirts: Route 66” film shows a group’s trip on Route 66 by bicycle
Brennen Matthews of ROUTE Magazine flagged this film, released on YouTube in July, on Facebook a few days ago. The full-length documentary is titled "Outskirts: Route 66," about a group of avid cyclists who try to tackle the full 2,400 miles of the Mother Road. Here's the movie: https://youtu.be/Dh25fH5diwQ The description of the film from … Continue reading “Outskirts: Route 66” film shows a group’s trip on Route 66 by bicycle
Fundraisers for old Joliet prison net nearly $150,000 so far
Tours and a major fundraiser -- all at the old Joliet Correctional Center -- have generated more than $142,000 so far, with a disc-golf benefit next month slated to generate at least anther $5,000 for the old prison. The big event was the Great Joliet Prison Break-in event last month at the century-old facility, which … Continue reading Fundraisers for old Joliet prison net nearly $150,000 so far
Director, star of “Bagdad Cafe” talk about film 30 years later
"Bagdad Cafe" director Percy Adlon and its star, CCH Pounder, talked to The Guardian newspaper in London about their cult film 30 years after it was released. The eccentric German film was shot at a Route 66 restaurant, Sidewinder Cafe, near Newberry Springs, California. The Sidewinder wisely changed its name to Bagdad Cafe after the … Continue reading Director, star of “Bagdad Cafe” talk about film 30 years later
Director from Spain films new documentary about Route 66’s living icons
A director from Spain praised for her work in short films and digital media has shot a full-length documentary about the living icons of Route 66 and hopes to see the movie in theaters by 2019. Ana Ramon Rubio directed "Almost Ghosts," which is designed to "remember those who were forgotten when the U.S. Government finished … Continue reading Director from Spain films new documentary about Route 66’s living icons
University buys Granny’s Closet property in Flagstaff
Granny's Closet, formerly known as the Lumberjack Cafe, in Flagstaff, Arizona, probably won't reopen as a restaurant. But the future of the property remains unclear after Northern Arizona University officials approved buying it. According a report this week by the Arizona Daily Sun, Northern Arizona Real Estate Holdings, which works for the NAU Foundation, bought the … Continue reading University buys Granny’s Closet property in Flagstaff
Artist’s rendering unveiled for OKPOP museum in Tulsa
The Oklahoma Historical Society earlier this week unveiled an artist's rendering for the upcoming Oklahoma Museum of Pop Culture, aka OKPOP, in Tulsa, slated for a groundbreaking this fall. According to a news release: Nabholz Construction will construct OKPOP at 422 North Main Street in Tulsa, across the street from the Cain’s Ballroom, home of … Continue reading Artist’s rendering unveiled for OKPOP museum in Tulsa
Rockin’ Route 66 replaces Rockabilly on the Route festival in Tucumcari
A new organization announced a Rockin' Route 66 rockabilly-themed festival in June 2019 in Tucumcari, New Mexico -- two years after the town's Rockabilly on the Route event went on hiatus. Representatives from Garage 71 and Grease Inc. made the announcement in late June about the new festival, but news of it surfaced on Facebook this … Continue reading Rockin’ Route 66 replaces Rockabilly on the Route festival in Tucumcari