The Curve Inn in Springfield, Illinois, was named one of the best dive bars in the United States for food, according to an online survey. The Springfield State Journal-Register reported that Geek Nexus, an entertainment and media website, surveyed 3,000 adults across America to find the best dive bars for unexpected menu items. A total … Continue reading The Curve Inn in Springfield named one of the best dive bars in the U.S. for food
$92 million sculpture park, art center planned along Route 66 in Edmond
Two nonprofit groups are planning an ambitious 62-acre sculpture park at the northwest corner of Second Street (aka Route 66) and Coltrane Road in Edmond, Oklahoma, by the highway's centennial in fall 2026. The Journal-Record reported that Uncommon Ground Sculpture Park Inc. and Edmond Fine Arts Institute want to raise up to $92 million for … Continue reading $92 million sculpture park, art center planned along Route 66 in Edmond
Roy’s in Amboy hopes to have cafe, cottage open by 2026
The owners of Roy's Motel & Cafe in Amboy, California, hope to have the restaurant and it six small cottages reopened by Route 66's centennial in 2026. That factoid was part of a feature in The Guardian newspaper in London about Roy's and the Okura family, who own the complex and the town. Albert Okura, … Continue reading Roy’s in Amboy hopes to have cafe, cottage open by 2026
Missouri Route 66 Association acquires historic signs for future neon park
The Route 66 Association of Missouri announced Thursday it had acquired four neon signs -- including from the Ozark Court and La Casa Grande Motel -- for a future neon park development. Rich Dinkela, president of the association, bought the signs for $44,400 from the estate of St. Louis-area sign collector Greg Rhomberg so they … Continue reading Missouri Route 66 Association acquires historic signs for future neon park
Sweetwater BBQ in St. Robert closing down after 25 years in business
The family-owned Sweetwater BBQ restaurant in St. Robert, Missouri, is closing permanently on Dec. 22 after a quarter-century in business. The owners stated they were retiring. The restaurant put out this message on Facebook earlier this month: The post generated more than 40 comments, wishing the owners well and lamenting they would no longer have … Continue reading Sweetwater BBQ in St. Robert closing down after 25 years in business
Forthcoming Hotrod Hangout in Galena soon will include an operating Valentine diner
The Hotrod Hangout Speed Shop & Diner, which will open soon in Galena, Kansas, will include an original Valentine diner operating as soon as this spring. The speed shop inside will include elements of an old-time Fina gas station and a drive-in theatre, complete with a ticket booth, which the owner hopes will become a … Continue reading Forthcoming Hotrod Hangout in Galena soon will include an operating Valentine diner
Buc-ee’s opens in Amarillo, the second location near Route 66 corridor
A new Buc-ee's convenience store opened Monday on the east side of Amarillo, Texas -- the 66th location in the Texas-based chain and the second near the Route 66 corridor. The first Buc-ee's along Route 66 opened in December 2023 in Springfield, Missouri. The opening ceremony included George Strait's classic song "Amarillo by Morning" being … Continue reading Buc-ee’s opens in Amarillo, the second location near Route 66 corridor
The Chili Parlor in Springfield is under new ownership
The Chili Parlor, a mainstay in Springfield, Illinois, for almost 80 years, is under new ownership. Roy and Stephanie Beal for now haven't revealed the new owner's identity, but they confirmed to the Springfield State Journal-Register that the restaurant had changed hands. The Beals put The Chili Parlor up for sale in 2022 but pledged … Continue reading The Chili Parlor in Springfield is under new ownership
Route 66 in Williams was bypassed 40 years ago
The town of Williams, Arizona, was the last Route 66 town to be bypassed by the interstate 40 years ago. The actual date was on Oct. 13, 1984, when 500 people gathered at Interstate 40's new Grand Canyon Boulevard exit to mark the assumed end of the highway. Bobby Troup, who wrote the immortal song … Continue reading Route 66 in Williams was bypassed 40 years ago
Route 66 advocate Mary Beth Babcock named Tulsan of the Year
Entrepreneur Mary Beth Babcock was named one of the Tulsa World's Tulsans of the Year for her advocacy of local tourism, especially along Route 66. Babcock opened the Buck Atom's Cosmic Curios on 66 in a former gas station in 2018, then added a specially commissioned, 21-foot-tall fiberglass giant named Buck Atom at the store … Continue reading Route 66 advocate Mary Beth Babcock named Tulsan of the Year