Nine new grants announced through Route 66 Black Experiences Program

The Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership announced nine projects through the Route 66 Black Experiences Grants program that were awarded $5,000 each. The 2024 recipients and the cities where they are based are: Choctaw Freedman Citizenship Footprints Inc. in Oklahoma City Black Business Alliance in Bloomington, Illinois Threatt Filling Station Foundation in Luther, Oklahoma Jack … Continue reading Nine new grants announced through Route 66 Black Experiences Program

New markers erected on Route 66 in Chicago

Choose Chicago, the city's tourism department, recently placed new Route 66 signs to celebrate the highway's upcoming centennial. According to WGN-TV in Chicago, the signs were placed near the Art Institute of Chicago, plus at 1969 W. Ogden Ave., 3100 W. Ogden Ave. and 3801 W. Ogden Ave. Ogden is a main alignment of Route … Continue reading New markers erected on Route 66 in Chicago

Cloud Gate, aka The Bean, in Chicago reopens to the public after months of construction

The "Cloud Gate" sculpture, better known as "The Bean," reopened to the public Sunday after being off-limits due to construction at Grainger Plaza in Chicago. The ABC-TV affiliate in Chicago reported the construction barricades were removed that day after the artwork was closed in August. Upgrades include new stairs, accessible ramps, paver replacement, a waterproofing … Continue reading Cloud Gate, aka The Bean, in Chicago reopens to the public after months of construction

Illinois announces seven grants for projects along Route 66

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity this week announced seven awards, totaling $3.3 million, through the Route 66 Grant Program. This funding is intended to boost local tourism and attract visitors to Route 66, leading up to the 100th anniversary of the highway in 2026, according to a … Continue reading Illinois announces seven grants for projects along Route 66

Four of the 16 “Most Iconic Old-Fashioned Diners in America” are found on Route 66

Recently, Eat This, Not That! compiled a list of the "16 Most Iconic Old-Fashioned Diners in America." In what shouldn't be a surprise, four of them are on old Route 66. Without further ado, here are the website's four diners with extensive ties to the Mother Road: Lou Mitchell's, Chicago Clanton's Cafe, Vinita, Oklahoma Mr. … Continue reading Four of the 16 “Most Iconic Old-Fashioned Diners in America” are found on Route 66

Illinois awards $6.6M in Route 66 and tourism marketing grants

The governor of Illinois and the state's Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced last week it would give 58 awards totaling $6.6 million through the Route 66 and Tourism Marketing Grant Programs to boost Route 66 tourism. The Route 66 grant program is awarding $3.7 million to seven recipients for the development of tourism, … Continue reading Illinois awards $6.6M in Route 66 and tourism marketing grants

Edmond, North Lawndale consider changes to their sections of Route 66

Edmond, Oklahoma, and the Chicago community of North Lawndale are considering significant changes to their stretches of Route 66. The Oklahoman recently reported that Edmond is taking a hard look at Broadway south of downtown, which served as Route 66 from 1926 to 1954. Between Second and the south edge of town, the road is … Continue reading Edmond, North Lawndale consider changes to their sections of Route 66

Restaurant in the former Grand Canyon Cafe in Flagstaff named a Beard Award finalist

Proper Meats + Provisions, a restaurant that took over the former historic Grand Canyon Cafe in downtown Flagstaff, Arizona, recently became a semifinalist for the prestigious James Beard Award for culinary excellence. Proper Meats, which also doubles as a butcher shop, was a semifinalist in the Outstanding Restaurant category of the annual Beard Awards. The … Continue reading Restaurant in the former Grand Canyon Cafe in Flagstaff named a Beard Award finalist

“The Great Muslim American Road Trip” coming to PBS this summer

"The Great Muslim American Road Trip," a documentary series about a Muslim couple traveling Route 66, will air on PBS-TV later this summer. The three-part series will be offered on PBS stations, PBS.org and the PBS app, reported Realscreen.com. The series follows rapper Mona Haydar and her husband Sebastian Robins as they explore the U.S. … Continue reading “The Great Muslim American Road Trip” coming to PBS this summer

David Clark, a foremost expert on Route 66 in the Chicago area, dies

David Clark, for decades the premier expert on Route 66 in Chicagoland known as the Windy City Road Warrior, died Tuesday, according to his stepson. Clark was scheduled Thursday night to lead a Zoom videoconference, "Myths on 66: Misinformation on the Mother Road." On Friday afternoon, Charles Aldarondo stated in a Facebook post that Clark, … Continue reading David Clark, a foremost expert on Route 66 in the Chicago area, dies