After seemingly much indifference to the Mother Road for years, the city of Joliet, Ill., is embracing Route 66 tourism in a big way when it launches its Joliet Kicks on Route 66 campaign on June 2. According to the Herald-News: The Joliet Area Historical Museum will have a bunch of interactive displays, including watching … Continue reading Joliet to launch Route 66 campaign
Category: Theaters
Don’t forget the peanut-butter truffles
USA Today's travel staff asked experts from all 50 states what would be a romantic experience in their respective states on Valentine's Day. Here's the entry from Oklahoma: A cruise down Route 66 in the Tulsa area offers a chance for car-noodling spiced with a little kitsch. In the evenings, listen to the ghosts whisper … Continue reading Don’t forget the peanut-butter truffles
Winslow, such a fine sight to see
The New York Times has an excellent article about the rebirth of the Route 66 town of Winslow, Ariz. When my wife and I first visited the town in 2001, it seemed a bit down on its luck. But the story indicates that things are looking up after a long decline. Empty storefronts still dot … Continue reading Winslow, such a fine sight to see
Glenrio, Odeon added to National Register
According to an e-mail from the director of the National Park Service, Glenrio's historic district -- which comprises most of the Route 66 community straddling the border between Texas and New Mexico -- was added to the National Register of Historic Places on Jan. 17. Glenrio's location in two states (and two counties) at … Continue reading Glenrio, Odeon added to National Register
Grant will finish Coleman Theatre restoration
Those who've traveled the Mother Road know that the restoration of the historic Coleman Theatre Beautiful in Miami, Okla., has been ongoing for years. That restoration is one big step closer to being complete because of a $250,000 grant, theater director Barbara Smith told the Joplin (Mo.) Globe. "The grant will complete the balcony project, … Continue reading Grant will finish Coleman Theatre restoration
66 Drive-In included in theater travel guide
The 66 Drive-In on old Route 66 in Carthage, Mo., is one of more than 60 historic theaters listed in the book, "Cinemental Journeys," by Mike and Vicki Walker. The book is a travel guide to classic movie theaters in Missouri, Kansas, Iowa and Nebraska. The photo of the 66 Drive-In seen above is from … Continue reading 66 Drive-In included in theater travel guide
An unusual confluence
Johnny Mango at the Duke City Fix collective blog reports that Albuquerque's historic Lobo Theater at 3007 Central Ave. NE, aka Route 66, is hosting a 7 p.m. Saturday screening of "Iraq for Sale," a documentary about the corporate profiteering of the Iraq War and its effect on the people who are involved in it. … Continue reading An unusual confluence
Historic theater to get repairs if bond is approved
The historic Hiland Theater, built in 1951 along historic Route 66 in Albuquerque, is considered a local landmark, but it needs some repairs. To do those renovations, the county-owned building, a $1.1 million bond question needs to be passed by voters on Election Day, reports the Albuquerque Tribune. This theater is Route 66," Archuleta said. … Continue reading Historic theater to get repairs if bond is approved
Gillioz Theatre will reopen Tuesday
It's taken 16 years, but historic Gillioz Theatre along an alignment of old Route 66 in Springfield, Mo., is set to have its grand re-opening Tuesday to kick of more than two weeks' worth of events. Excellent coverage of the Gillioz's refurbishment and impending reopening can be read with the Springfield News-Leader's coverage here and … Continue reading Gillioz Theatre will reopen Tuesday
A look back at the Gillioz Theatre’s history
A professor and his students at Missouri State University performed months of research into the historic Gillioz Theatre in Springfield, Mo. The Springfield News-Leader reports that the result of that research is a 96-page book, "The Gillioz 'Theatre Beautiful': Celebrating Springfield's Theatre History, 1926-2006." The book won't be available until next month, but details on … Continue reading A look back at the Gillioz Theatre’s history