Route 66 travelers who want to take a short side trip to Las Vegas, New Mexico, from the Santa Fe Loop had better change plans for at least a few days. A wildfire of nearly 140,000 acres around Las Vegas has prompted evacuations on the west side of the city and briefly jeopardized its water-treatment … Continue reading Travelers should avoid Las Vegas, N.M., for now due to wildfires
Category: Towns
Book review: ‘Tucumcari Tonite!’
There's a moment early in David Stratton's new book, "Tucumcari Tonight" (Amazon link), that signals this isn't going to be a dull history tome. In the introduction, the author, who was 95 years old when the University of New Mexico Press published the book earlier this month, recalls his personal memories of the first owners … Continue reading Book review: ‘Tucumcari Tonite!’
Sapulpa plans a pedestrian-friendly Alley District off Route 66, a Rock Creek Park
The city of Sapulpa, Oklahoma, is planning a downtown Alley District designed for pedestrians off Route 66 and also a Route 66 Rock Creek Park near the historic bridge. According to an earlier story by the Sapulpa Times, a downtown alley between Dewey, Lee and Hobson streets would be converted into a new pedestrian and … Continue reading Sapulpa plans a pedestrian-friendly Alley District off Route 66, a Rock Creek Park
Birthplace of Route 66 Festival expanding to three days in its return from COVID-19
The Birthplace of Route 66 Festival in Springfield, Missouri, is expanding from two to three days this summer after returning for the first time since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year's festival -- the 10th -- is slated for Aug. 11-13. According to OzarksFirst.com, organizers hope to draw 70,000 to 75,000 people to … Continue reading Birthplace of Route 66 Festival expanding to three days in its return from COVID-19
Coffee shop, gift shop and possible motel planned at Longhorn Cafe and Motel in Glenrio
The Route 66 ghost town of Glenrio at the Texas-New Mexico border suddenly is showing life again for the first time in more than 40 years. Glenrio Properties bought land on both sides of the border in the town and plan to build a coffee shop, gift shop, RV park and possibly a motel using … Continue reading Coffee shop, gift shop and possible motel planned at Longhorn Cafe and Motel in Glenrio
1939 newspaper article shows one big reason Tucumcari became a neon-sign haven
Tucumcari, New Mexico, never was a huge town. Its population never surpassed 9,000, according to the U.S. Census records. Regardless, Tucumcari during its heyday was home to dozens of neon signs, especially along its Route 66 corridor. Even now, about 25 neon signs still exist along the historic highway, in various states of repair. Several … Continue reading 1939 newspaper article shows one big reason Tucumcari became a neon-sign haven
Carlinville beefs up facade grant program partly due to coming Route 66 centennial
The City of Carlinville, Illinois, is doubling the amount of money available in its facade grant program because it wants its historic downtown to look good during Route 66's centennial in 2026. The Journal-Courier reports the city usually sets aside $10,000 for the program, but it is doubling it for the 2022-2023 fiscal year by … Continue reading Carlinville beefs up facade grant program partly due to coming Route 66 centennial
Book review: “Here We Are … on Route 66”
Prolific author Jim Hinckey's new book "Here We Are ... on Route 66" (Amazon link) contains plenty of color photos of easily recognizable landmarks along the Mother Road. Don't let the familiarity fool you. This volume is more of a deep dive into the obscure past of selected towns along the Mother Road. Noting that … Continue reading Book review: “Here We Are … on Route 66”
Charlie Nixon, a native of Glenrio who was interviewed in documentary, dies at 89
Charlie Nixon, a native of Glenrio at the Texas-New Mexico border who was interviewed in a documentary about the Route 66 ghost town, died on New Year's Eve in nearby Vega, Texas. He was 89. If you have a few minutes, read the colorful obituary on Nixon's life. It's apparent he enjoyed his time on … Continue reading Charlie Nixon, a native of Glenrio who was interviewed in documentary, dies at 89
Route 66 town of Edwardsville in mourning after tornado kills 6
The Route 66 town of Edwardsville, Illinois, and the surrounding area continue to be in shock and sorrow after a powerful tornado Friday caused the collapse of an Amazon distribution center, killing at least six workers. According to reporting by the Edwardsville Intelligencer and St. Louis Post-Dispatch newspapers, the roof and 11-inch-thick concrete walls collapsed … Continue reading Route 66 town of Edwardsville in mourning after tornado kills 6