Tom Willis, owner of the landmark 66 Diner in Albuquerque and charter member of the New Mexico Route 66 Association, died Wednesday. He was 71. Sue Montgomery, vice president of the association, stated by email that "from my understanding" Willis died of COVID-19 and "had some underlying conditions that didn't help." Willis would be the … Continue reading Tom Willis, owner of 66 Diner in Albuquerque, dies at 71
Category: People
Few in Doolittle remember once-famous namesake who visited 75 years ago
Seventy-five years ago this month, Army Lt. Gen. Jimmy Doolittle visited the little Route 66 town in central Missouri that was named after him just two years before. Thousands attended the event. Today, a St. Louis Post-Dispatch reporter went to Doolittle (population 648) but found few people who knew about the origin of the town's … Continue reading Few in Doolittle remember once-famous namesake who visited 75 years ago
Woman-focused chapter of Antique Motorcycle Club of America plans Route 66 cruise in June
A new, women-focused Riveter Chapter of the Antique Motorcycle Club of America has scheduled a two-week cruise on the length of Route 66 in June 2022, called Chix on 66. Karan Andrea, president of the Riveter Chapter, has been a member of the AMCA. "I got the idea to ride Route 66 on one of … Continue reading Woman-focused chapter of Antique Motorcycle Club of America plans Route 66 cruise in June
Smithsonian Magazine publishes a profile on a noted sake brewer in Holbrook
We commend to your attention a feature in Smithsonian Magazine about Atsuo Sakurai, who's been brewing award-winning sake -- a rice wine -- in the unlikely town of Holbrook, Arizona, along Route 66. We've posted stories about Sakurai and his Arizona Sake Co. before, but this one goes more in-depth. A few tidbits: For the … Continue reading Smithsonian Magazine publishes a profile on a noted sake brewer in Holbrook
Edward Keating, Pulitzer-winning and photographer of Route 66, dies
Edward Keating, a winner of the Pulitzer Prize in photography who spent years documenting Route 66, died Sunday. He was 65. His wife, Carrie, broke the news about Keating's passing Monday on Facebook. She did not disclose his cause of death. His brother-in-law said Keating's wife and two daughters were by his side when he … Continue reading Edward Keating, Pulitzer-winning and photographer of Route 66, dies
Susan Croce Kelly to be inducted into Missouri Writers Hall of Fame
Susan Croce Kelly, an author of two notable books about Route 66, will be inducted Sept. 30 into the Missouri Writers Hall of Fame during a special online edition of the organization’s annual Quill Gala. The award will be presented during a virtual ceremony that will feature a live roundtable discussion with Kelly. Kelly is … Continue reading Susan Croce Kelly to be inducted into Missouri Writers Hall of Fame
Uranus Missouri lights up its new, Route 66-themed neon wall
The principals of Uranus Missouri near St. Robert, Missouri, presided over a lighting ceremony Saturday night at the complex's new, Route 66-themed neon wall. Here's a photo of the animated neon on a 20-by-55-foot wall that features a rocket ship, Cadillac Ranch, Blue Swallow Motel, Wigwam Motel, Roy's of Amboy, Blue Whale of Catoosa, Ted … Continue reading Uranus Missouri lights up its new, Route 66-themed neon wall
Volunteers complete final stage of work on Painted Desert Trading Post building
Volunteers, including members of the Route 66 Co-op, this week finished the final stage of preserving the long-closed Painted Desert Trading Post in eastern Arizona. This week primarily concentrated on small repairs, installing interpretative panels inside the trading post that explains its history, and re-creating the lettering on the outside to resemble what it looked … Continue reading Volunteers complete final stage of work on Painted Desert Trading Post building
U.S. will lift travel ban for vaccinated international travelers by November
The United States government on Monday announced it would lift the COVID-related travel ban for 33 countries, including the United Kingdom and European Union, by early November if those travelers are fully vaccinated against the disease. It would be the first time in more than 18 months that European travelers could travel to the U.S. … Continue reading U.S. will lift travel ban for vaccinated international travelers by November
Owner of Missouri Hick Bar-B-Que dies of COVID-19 complications
Dennis Meiser, the longtime owner of the landmark Missouri Hick Bar-B-Que restaurant along Route 66 in Cuba, Missouri, died Friday after being hospitalized for several weeks due to coronavirus complications. He was 65. Mizell Funeral Home in Cuba is handling the arrangements. The visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral … Continue reading Owner of Missouri Hick Bar-B-Que dies of COVID-19 complications