Floodwaters have inundated the old Route 66 village of Devils Elbow, Missouri, for a second time this decade. Jax Welborn, a Route 66 advocate who lives nearby, posted these shocking photos of floodwaters from the swollen Big Piney River soaking numerous structures there, including the closed Elbow Inn and the historic bridge. The flooding has … Continue reading Floodwaters inundate Route 66 village of Devils Elbow
Category: Weather
Preservation team repairs Wash Lady, Loretta’s Burrito Hut neon signs in Tucumcari
Larry Plath and Johnnie Meier of the New Mexico Route 66 Preservation Team recently repaired neon tubing for the so-called "Wash Lady" at Boulevard Cleaners and Loretta's Burrito Hut, both along Route 66 in Tucumcari, New Mexico. The duo also began repairing the tubing on the Odeon Theatre in Tucumcari, which isn't on Route 66 … Continue reading Preservation team repairs Wash Lady, Loretta’s Burrito Hut neon signs in Tucumcari
Barstow Route 66 Mother Road Museum closed permanently due to flood damage
The Bartsow Route 66 Mother Road Museum, located in a Harvey House on the north side of Barstow, California, will remain closed "indefinitely" after flooding from monsoon rains damaged part of the facility. The museum stated on its webpage that the city is repairing the damage and that no funds are needed. Deb Hodkin, longtime … Continue reading Barstow Route 66 Mother Road Museum closed permanently due to flood damage
Severe storm damages Illinois Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Museum on Route 66 in Joliet
A severe storm Sunday morning damaged the Illinois Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Museum on Route 66 in downtown Joliet, Illinois, including ripping off part of the upper facade. Ron Romero, chairman and creator of the museum, said a check on interior security cameras indicates the artifacts are safe. The giant neon guitar on … Continue reading Severe storm damages Illinois Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Museum on Route 66 in Joliet
Progressively warmer winters affect harvest at Funks Grove Maple Sirup
CBS News in Chicago recently did a story about Funks Grove Maple Sirup in Shirley, Illinois, and how repeatedly warmer winters are shortening the sap flow of the family farm's maple trees. The gist is that climate change definitely is affecting Funks Grove's annual harvest. https://youtu.be/N6OKuhKXwZA?si=mBzoSoN9uBL6hNwy Funks Grove tends to sell out of its maple … Continue reading Progressively warmer winters affect harvest at Funks Grove Maple Sirup
Severe storm lops off head of Muffler Man at Uranus Missouri complex
A severe storm a few days ago ripped off the head of the Muffler Man at the Uranus Missouri complex near St. Robert, Missouri. The head will be remade and reattached. The American Giants page on Facebook initially reported the damage that occurred Monday night. It reported Mark Cline will make a new head. Laura … Continue reading Severe storm lops off head of Muffler Man at Uranus Missouri complex
What in the world is going on with the New Mexico Route 66 Association?
The question in that headline isn't easy to answer right now. Nor is it easy to answer these related questions: Who is in charge of the association? Why are there two Facebook pages for the association? What's happening with the big project in Tucumcari regarding the association and the Fast TV Network? What's happening with … Continue reading What in the world is going on with the New Mexico Route 66 Association?
Santa Monica Pier was nearly lost by a storm 41 years ago
The iconic Santa Monica Pier -- the traditional western endpoint for many Route 66 travelers -- nearly was destroyed by a severe storm and some bad decisions by a contractor 41 years ago. That factoid was revealed during a Santa Monica Daily News story about walking tours offered at the 115-year-old pier: Back in the … Continue reading Santa Monica Pier was nearly lost by a storm 41 years ago
Near-total solar eclipse will occur in much of New Mexico on Oct. 14
A lot of New Mexico and a sizable chunk of its Route 66 will experience a near-total solar eclipse on the morning of Oct. 14. The eclipse on that day is described as an annular eclipse -- when the moon passes between the sun but is at or near its farthest point from Earth. As … Continue reading Near-total solar eclipse will occur in much of New Mexico on Oct. 14
Death Valley National Park may remain closed for months due to tropical storm damage
Death Valley National Park in California and Nevada may stay closed for months because of extensive damage inflicted by Tropical Storm Hilary last month. The Los Angeles Times reports that flash flooding from the storm damaged many roads in the park, including Route 190. Route 127, which links with Interstate 15 northeast of Barstow, also … Continue reading Death Valley National Park may remain closed for months due to tropical storm damage