Latest Route 66 Extraordinary Women Micro-Grants given to 10 recipients

The Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership announced the 10 latest grant awards from its Extraordinary Women Micro-Grants Program. The 2024 round of the grant program was completed last month, with $2,000 awards to: Andrea Parson-Briley, Carterville, Missouri, for trolly renovations and a Route 66 mural at Supertam on 66. The project also seeks to provide … Continue reading Latest Route 66 Extraordinary Women Micro-Grants given to 10 recipients

Route 66 Spirit of America Museum opens in Stroud

The Route 66 Spirit of America Museum opened Saturday in downtown Stroud, Oklahoma, and it's a different cat from other Route 66 museums. It pays tribute to the people who make an impact "to the larger scheme of things," its founder says. Route 66 author and artist Jerry McClanahan, who lives in nearby Chandler, visited … Continue reading Route 66 Spirit of America Museum opens in Stroud

Couple acquires Supertam on 66 ice-cream shop in Carterville

A couple from nearby Joplin, Missouri, last week bought the Supertam on 66 ice-cream shop in Carterville from founder and longtime owner Larry Tamminen. Chris Briley, an attorney for Walmart, and his wife Andrea Parsons-Briley, a special-education teacher in Carterville, closed on the deal Friday just a few months after Tamminen and his wife decided … Continue reading Couple acquires Supertam on 66 ice-cream shop in Carterville

Supertam on 66 ice-cream parlor in Carterville closes, is put up for sale

Famous for its Superman memorabilia collection, the Supertam on 66 shop in downtown Carterville, Missouri, has closed and is being put up for sale. The business put out this announcement on Facebook on Saturday: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=225385842719994&id=100057457389467 Proprietor Larry Tamminen also said in a text message the sale would include the Superman collection that he's gathered for more … Continue reading Supertam on 66 ice-cream parlor in Carterville closes, is put up for sale

Supertam on 66 in Centerville closes for season early because of owner’s illness

The Supertam on 66 ice-cream shop, known for its collection of Superman memorabilia in Carterville, Missouri, has closed for the winter season about a month early because the owner is battling a lingering illness. He plans to reopen by spring. Owner Larry Tamminen posted this message Nov. 1 on the shop's Facebook page: Tamminen told … Continue reading Supertam on 66 in Centerville closes for season early because of owner’s illness

Fire-ravaged Shirley’s Tavern in Carterville will reopen Friday

The century-old Shirley's Tavern in Carterville, Missouri, that was gutted by fire more than a year ago will reopen Friday under new ownership. According to the Joplin Globe, new owners Courtney and Brock Powell spent seven months reconstructing the tavern after the fire in December 2017. “I was pretty devastated after the fire because there … Continue reading Fire-ravaged Shirley’s Tavern in Carterville will reopen Friday

Fire destroys 100-year-old tavern in Carterville

A fire Thursday morning gutted Shirley's Tavern in Carterville, Missouri, a building which has quenched the thirsts and hunger of locals for more than 100 years. The Joplin Globe reported the fire first was reported about 6:30 a.m., after the tavern had closed. “It has been determined that the fire originated in a closet in … Continue reading Fire destroys 100-year-old tavern in Carterville

Couple buys historic bank building in Carterville

A local couple recently bought a historic but deteriorated bank building in downtown Carterville, Missouri, and plan to eventually turn it into a residential and retail center. Brock and Courtney Powell of Carterville purchased the former First National Bank building at 301 Main St. (aka Route 66) about two months ago, reported the Joplin Globe. Brock Powell … Continue reading Couple buys historic bank building in Carterville

Tow Tater, aka Tow Mater, has a competitor in Missouri Mater

A lot of Route 66 folks know of Tow Tater, the 1951 International boom truck on Route 66 in Galena, Kansas, that served as the direct inspiration to the Tow Mater character in the 2006 Disney-Pixar animated film "Cars." But barely 15 miles east in Carterville, Missouri, also on Route 66, sits another rusty tow truck that … Continue reading Tow Tater, aka Tow Mater, has a competitor in Missouri Mater

Supertam on 66 proves popular with Chinese tourists

The Supertam on 66 ice-cream shop and Superman memorabilia museum in Carterville, Missouri, has developed a following from tourists who hail more than 7,000 miles away. Owner Larry Tamminen told the Joplin Globe newspaper his store is prominently listed in a Chinese-language Route 66 guide. That would explain why Tamminen suddenly has greeted more than 600 Chinese … Continue reading Supertam on 66 proves popular with Chinese tourists