Cinnamon Catlin-Legutko, director of the Illinois State Museum in Springfield, died Saturday less than a month after her appointment to the Route 66 Centennial Commission. Her death was reported by the Springfield State Journal-Register after the Illinois Association of Museums announced it Sunday. She was 50. No cause of death was reported by either the … Continue reading Illinois State Museum director dies shortly after appointment to Route 66 Centennial Commission
Category: People
Afton Station is for sale for the second time in less than four years
Afton Station in Afton, Oklahoma, has been put on the market for a second time since 2019, when it was auctioned after the owners' deaths. The former D-X gas station on Route 66 in the village's downtown is being listed by Solid Rock Realtors for $200,000. Here's a description of the property: OWN A PIECE … Continue reading Afton Station is for sale for the second time in less than four years
A closer look at Jim Ross’ and Shellee Graham’s neon garden near Arcadia
An Oklahoma City television station recently produced a feature about the neon-sign paradise that is Jim Ross and Shellee Graham's backyard near Arcadia, Oklahoma. The segment is part of KFOR-TV's ongoing "Is This a Great State or What?!" series. https://youtu.be/XAASN-4ZsPI Ross and Graham host a Neonfest in their backyard each October if you want to … Continue reading A closer look at Jim Ross’ and Shellee Graham’s neon garden near Arcadia
Arizona Route 66 Association announces four more grants
The Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona recently announced its latest round of grant awards, including to two historic motels. Roger Naylor provided some of the details in the association's quarterly newsletter in January: -- $11,500 to the Route 66 Motel in Kingman to restore its neon sign, including its wiring. The Valmonte family has … Continue reading Arizona Route 66 Association announces four more grants
City of Clinton approves authority’s purchase of Trade Winds Inn and its future demolition
The City of Clinton, Oklahoma, recently approved the Clinton Economic Development Authority's purchase and future razing of the now-closed Trade Winds Inn motel, known for preserving a room where Elvis Presley stayed four times on cross-country trips. According to the Clinton Daily News (subscription required): “The Tradewinds has closed and we are in the process … Continue reading City of Clinton approves authority’s purchase of Trade Winds Inn and its future demolition
Owners of Shout & Sack convenience store in Vinita to retire at the end of the month
Chris and Jody Carter, owners of their Shout & Sack convenience store along Route 66 in Vinita, Oklahoma, since 1978, said they're going to retire at the end of January. Chris Carter, 72, told the Cherokee Phoenix they recently sold the property at 305 S. Wilson St. (aka Route 66) “We’ve seen a lot of … Continue reading Owners of Shout & Sack convenience store in Vinita to retire at the end of the month
New documentary tells about an early champion of Muffler Men
Joel Baker, a Muffler Man enthusiast and preservationist, recently completed a 30-minute documentary film about the late Glenn Good, a Texan who spent decades repairing or salvaging the fiberglass giants back in the days when they weren't popular. One of Good's projects still stands at the Cadillac Ranch RV Park on Amarillo's west side, right … Continue reading New documentary tells about an early champion of Muffler Men
President Biden to appoint 12 people to Route 66 Centennial Commission
President Joe Biden announced his intent today to appoint 12 people to the Route 66 Centennial Commission. The list contains several people that many in the Route 66 community would know well. Here they are, with short descriptions of each individual, though more extensive biographies can be found in the White House announcement: Caroline Beteta, … Continue reading President Biden to appoint 12 people to Route 66 Centennial Commission
Trade Winds Inn in Clinton, best known for its Elvis Room, may be demolished
The Trade Winds Inn motel in Clinton, Oklahoma -- best known for its Elvis Room where Elvis Presley stayed during his cross-country road trips -- may be demolished with the possibility the local school district might use the property. The Clinton Daily News (subscription required) reported last week the Clinton Economic Development Authority will discuss … Continue reading Trade Winds Inn in Clinton, best known for its Elvis Room, may be demolished
Frank and Lynne Kocevar’s 2022 video Christmas card
In what has become a tradition on Route 66 News, we are posting the annual video Christmas card that Frank and Lynne Kocevar shot in Arizona. The Kocevars once owned the Historic Seligman Sundries in Seligman. The latest contains footage from the recent Christmas tree lighting ceremony in downtown Williams, right along the Route 66 … Continue reading Frank and Lynne Kocevar’s 2022 video Christmas card