Mural of Cherokee Nation artisan dedicated in Vinita

Cherokee Nation and city officials on Tuesday dedicated a mural commemorating artisan Anna Belle Sixkiller Mitchell, known as a Cherokee National Treasure, in downtown Vinita, Oklahoma, along Route 66. Mitchell, who lived in Vinita, was designated as a Cherokee National Treasure in 1988 for reviving traditional pottery methods and sharing her skill with others, according to a news … Continue reading Mural of Cherokee Nation artisan dedicated in Vinita

U.S. senator who shepherded Route 66 legislation dies

Former longtime U.S. senator Pete Domenici of New Mexico, who introduced and shepherded several key pieces of Route 66 legislation, died Wednesday in Albuquerque after setbacks from abdominal surgery. He was 85. Several obituaries about the six-term Republican lauded him for his bipartisanship and his mastery of budget, tax and energy issues until he retired … Continue reading U.S. senator who shepherded Route 66 legislation dies

Three people try to make Route 66 more interesting

In recent days, newspapers have profiled three people hundreds of miles apart who are doing their part to try to dress up old stretches of Route 66. West of Needles, California, the Needles Desert Star reports Jim Nickel — originally from Oregon — has built several monuments to the branches of the U.S. military from … Continue reading Three people try to make Route 66 more interesting

Prominent National Geographic writer will travel Route 66

Andrew Evans, a prominent writer for National Geographic with his Digital Nomad blog, in a matter of days will travel the full length of Route 66 for Brand USA, a public and private partnership that promotes international travel to the United States. The announcement of the trip, made in Chicago this morning, contained these details: … Continue reading Prominent National Geographic writer will travel Route 66

A brief history of Camp Cajon

Freelance writer Mark Landis writes a fascinating historical piece in the San Bernardino County (Calif.) Sun about William H. Bristol, who was a key member of the community and a major promoter of the area in the late 1800s and much of the first half of the 20th century. His contribution to Route 66 is … Continue reading A brief history of Camp Cajon

A Route 66 guide to the “Cars” movie

Updated June 17, 2018 If you just saw the “Cars” movie and want to find more information about Route 66, welcome. First, the Radiator Springs shown in “Cars” is a fictional town. Historic Route 66 exists. On the real Route 66, there is a Baxter Springs in Kansas and a Peach Springs in Arizona. But … Continue reading A Route 66 guide to the “Cars” movie

The forgotten graveyards of Route 66

Ron Paschall, writing for The Desert Sun in Palm Springs, Calif., makes an impassioned plea that someone, anyone help preserve the long-forgotten graveyards along Route 66 in the Mojave Desert. The Mother Road’s cemeteries lay in a state of disrepair. Located on lonely hillsides, out of sight of the few cars that still travel the … Continue reading The forgotten graveyards of Route 66

Notes from the road

The National Trust for Historic Preservation has nominated the Route 66 city of St. Louis as one of its Dozen Distinctive Destinations, it was announced this week. Such destinations “offer cultural and recreational experiences different from those found at the typical vacation destination. From dynamic downtowns and stunning architecture to cultural diversity and a commitment … Continue reading Notes from the road