The city of Springfield, Missouri, is on track to break its record of hotel stays in 2022 -- a mark set a year ago. The Springfield News-Leader reported the numbers via Tracy Kimberlin, leader of the city's Convention and Visitors Bureau: In 2021, Springfield set a record with 1,439,619 occupied hotel rooms. And the city … Continue reading Springfield, Missouri, poised to break record for hotel stays in 2022
Category: Towns
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
Memorial dedicated to Joplin tornado victims of 2011
A 17-foot-tall sculpture was dedicated Wednesday to the people who died in the 2011 tornado that ravaged Joplin, Missouri. The Joplin Memorial Run sculpture bears the names of the 161 dead from the EF5 twister. It is located at the Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex at Joplin Avenue and Seventh Street (aka Route … Continue reading Memorial dedicated to Joplin tornado victims of 2011
Old Route 66 now is open between Barstow and Ludlow
A section of old Route 66 between Barstow, California, and Amboy, California, that was closed for several years due to bridge washouts is open again. The Facebook accounts of the California Historic Route 66 Association and Roy's Motel & Cafe this week both reported the road being reopened by San Bernardino County, which holds jurisdiction. … Continue reading Old Route 66 now is open between Barstow and Ludlow
Scenes of Christmas decor along Route 66
A number of Route 66 landmarks recently have been decorated for the Christmas holiday. First, the Blue Whale in Catoosa, Oklahoma, held its annual "lights on" ceremony on Sunday night. As these photos from Oklahoma Route 66 Association President Rhys Martin shows, not only was the whale lighted, but so was the nearby ark. In … Continue reading Scenes of Christmas decor along Route 66
Joliet clarifies what it will do with nearly a half-million dollars for Route 66
A report in an area newspaper recently clarified how Joliet, Illinois, will use nearly $500,000 to beef up its Route 66 attractions for the highway's centennial in 2026. According to the Herald-News (paywall), the city council loaned $484,500 to the Heritage Corridor Convention and Visitors Bureau so it could get started quickly on Route 66 … Continue reading Joliet clarifies what it will do with nearly a half-million dollars for Route 66
City of Chenoa considers redevelopment of an abandoned section of Route 66
The City of Chenoa, Illinois, is considering a redevelopment of a long-abandoned section of Route 66 near the railroad tracks on the city's south side. Most veteran travelers of Route 66 have driven on the four-lane section of Route 66 that curved around the western edge of the town. It was Route 66 from 1946 … Continue reading City of Chenoa considers redevelopment of an abandoned section of Route 66
Albuquerque dedicates new bronze statues dedicated to “Breaking Bad” lead actors
Statues of the main characters of Walter White and Jesse Pinkman from the "Breaking Bad" drug kingpin drama were dedicated Friday at the Albuquerque Convention Center, with co-stars Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul present at the unveiling. Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller and "Breaking Bad" creator and director Vince Gilligan also attended the ceremony to dedicate … Continue reading Albuquerque dedicates new bronze statues dedicated to “Breaking Bad” lead actors
New murals help brighten Route 66 corridors in Collinsville, Edwardsville, Yukon
New murals that recently were painted in Collinsville and Edwardsville, Illinois, and Yukon, Oklahoma, are brightening the drive on Route 66 in those towns. The one that was finished this week in Edwardsville is part of the Route 66 Mural Art Trail, where 12 murals are planned along Route 66 in Illinois. The Edwardsville mural … Continue reading New murals help brighten Route 66 corridors in Collinsville, Edwardsville, Yukon
Will new exits off the Turner Turnpike improve the fortunes of Route 66 towns in Oklahoma?
The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority's Access Oklahoma initiative plans to add 14 new exits from its toll-road system, including several near Route 66 towns between Oklahoma City and Tulsa. The Oklahoman examined that stretch of Route 66, especially the small town of Davenport, which hopes the new access from Interstate 44 will bring them new businesses … Continue reading Will new exits off the Turner Turnpike improve the fortunes of Route 66 towns in Oklahoma?