Four eateries on or near Route 66 win $50,000 Backing Historic Small Restaurants grants

Four eateries along or near Route 66 will receive $50,000 Backing Historic Small Restaurants grants from the National Trust for Historic Preservation and American Express. The primarily Route 66-based recipients, announced Monday, are: La Cita Restaurant, Tucumcari, New Mexico Doc's Just Off 66, Girard, Illinois La Paloma Mexican Restaurant, La Verne, California A lesser-known fourth … Continue reading Four eateries on or near Route 66 win $50,000 Backing Historic Small Restaurants grants

Jerry McClanahan, the late Bunny Neff inducted into Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame

Longtime Route 66 artist and researcher Jerry McClanahan of Chandler, Oklahoma, was inducted Saturday into the Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame at the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton. The other inductee was the late Jeannette “Bunny” Neff of Sayre, Oklahoma, who advocated for Route 66 in the western part of the state for … Continue reading Jerry McClanahan, the late Bunny Neff inducted into Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame

Totem Pole Trading Post in Rolla set to close in September

The historic Totem Pole Trading Post along Route 66 on the west side of Rolla, Missouri, will close in September after the retirement of longtime operator Tim Jones and his wife Alice. The State Historical Society of Missouri recently posted this reel of Jones on Facebook: The society stated: Tim's father bought the shop from … Continue reading Totem Pole Trading Post in Rolla set to close in September

New Mexico accepting applications for Route 66 Centennial Grant Program

The New Mexico Tourism Department is currently taking applications through mid-August for its Route 66 Centennial Grant Program for marketing, special events and infrastructure projects. Applications for Infrastructure projects and special events track will be accepted through Aug. 19.  Applications for cooperative marketing track will be accepted through Aug. 13. New Mexico Route 66 centennial projects … Continue reading New Mexico accepting applications for Route 66 Centennial Grant Program

Springfield tourism bureau takes a closer look at Guy Mace’s Route 66 Car Museum

The Springfield, Missouri, Convention and Visitors Bureau recently published an in-depth look at Guy Mace and his Route 66 Car Museum. Mace owns about 75 vintage and celebrity vehicles in the museum at 1634 W. College St. (aka Route 66) in Springfield. It opened in 2016. The article goes into Mace's origin story: The foundation … Continue reading Springfield tourism bureau takes a closer look at Guy Mace’s Route 66 Car Museum

The 25th anniversary of the Route 66 On the Air event is set for Sept. 7-15

"Route 66 On the Air" is marking its 25th anniversary, and the annual amateur radio event is set for Sept. 7-15. The event, sponsored by the Citrus Belt Amateur Radio Club, celebrates U.S. 66, which was established in 1926 and was the first major roadway improvement to link the West Coast with the nation’s heartland. Joining … Continue reading The 25th anniversary of the Route 66 On the Air event is set for Sept. 7-15

Owner and operator of Emma Jean’s Holland Burger Cafe in Victorville dies

Brian Gentry, the owner and operator of Emma Jean's Holland Burger Cafe along Route 66 in Victorville, California, has died. He was 58. According to a report in the Daily Press of Victorville, Gentry died peacefully on July 3. His life will be celebrated from 2 to 4 p.m. on Aug. 3, followed by a … Continue reading Owner and operator of Emma Jean’s Holland Burger Cafe in Victorville dies

Old Santa Fe Inn is renovated, renamed into Pinon Court

The Old Santa Fe Inn in Santa Fe, New Mexico, recently underwent a multimillion-dollar renovation and has been renamed Pinon Court. Pinon Court, located at 201 Montezuma Ave. near Galisteo Street (aka Route 66), is part of the La Fonda collection. La Fonda remains the most historic and landmark hotel in Santa Fe. Hotel Management … Continue reading Old Santa Fe Inn is renovated, renamed into Pinon Court

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

“Impossible Interviews” video series interviews Route 66 itself

Longtime readers probably know of Roberto Rossi, a Route 66 enthusiast in Italy who published "Route 66: An American Myth" (review here) in 2017. Rossi now has started an "Impossible Interviews" series where he interviews Route 66 itself. https://youtu.be/5whmWFwcsVc?si=sR3LwK4Nn8Kb-nIg The ol' highway obviously can't talk, nor is it a sentient being. (Its voice, by the way, … Continue reading “Impossible Interviews” video series interviews Route 66 itself