Historic Central Camera store goes up in flames during unrest in Chicago

The historic Central Camera store along Route 66 in downtown Chicago burned Saturday night amid unrest over the death a few days ago of an African-American man in Minneapolis police custody. The store's neon sign, however, appeared to be intact. A reporter with the CBS-TV affiliate in Chicago reported the store 332 S. Wabash Ave. … Continue reading Historic Central Camera store goes up in flames during unrest in Chicago

Two bridges near downtown Chicago will be closed for two years for repairs

Adams Street Bridge (Update: This post contains significant corrections, including photos.) Two years of repairs on two bridges on the eastbound and westbound lanes of Route 66 in downtown Chicago are scheduled that will force detours for travelers. Chicagoland Route 66 expert David Clark flagged this news in an email, saying the Jackson Boulevard Bridge … Continue reading Two bridges near downtown Chicago will be closed for two years for repairs

Chicago Route 66 expert writing his memoirs in serialized form

David G. Clark, known as the Windy City Road Warrior for his extensive knowledge of Route 66 in Chicago, is offering people a chance to read his in-progress memoirs in emailed, serialized form. Clark said he'll be sending out sections of the book by email every two or three weeks. The first installment was sent … Continue reading Chicago Route 66 expert writing his memoirs in serialized form

Several Route 66 cities receive brownfield grants

Several large Route 66 cities will receive brownfield grants from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency "to assess, clean up and redevelop underutilized properties while protecting public health and the environment." According to a news release from the agency, 144 cities will receive a total of $54.3 million. Here are the Route 66 communities that will receive … Continue reading Several Route 66 cities receive brownfield grants

Publishers Clearing House winner plans to travel Route 66

The husband of a Pennsylvania woman who instantly became a millionaire because she won a Publishers Clearing House prize said they would travel Route 66 in the wake of having all that extra money. Jo-Ann Snyder, 72, of Wilkes-Barre Township, on Friday won Publishers Clearing House's $5,000 A Week “Forever” Prize — $5,000 a week for … Continue reading Publishers Clearing House winner plans to travel Route 66

A look at shooting locations for “National Lampoon’s Vacation”

This new 34-minute video by Adam the Woo, whose road-trip videos have been featured on this website before, exhaustively chronicles all the shooting sites for the 1983 hit comedy movie "National Lampoon's Vacation." Adam wrote in the video description: I set out on an adventure to document every location from the 1983 comedy classic National … Continue reading A look at shooting locations for “National Lampoon’s Vacation”

David Clark to lead Chicagoland tour after Miles of Possibility conference

David Clark, aka the Windy City Road Warrior, on Saturday will lead InSites to Go's Saturday Night Sunset tour on Route 66 between Joliet, Illinois, and Chicago after the Route 66 Miles of Possibility conference in Joliet concludes. According to a news release from InSites to Go, which is a Chicago-based tour agency: The tour features … Continue reading David Clark to lead Chicagoland tour after Miles of Possibility conference

Cubs win first World Series in 108 years

The Cubs no longer are a punchline. For decades, the Chicago Cubs baseball team served as an ultimate example of sports futility. After winning a World Series title in 1908 -- one of several during a very successful decade -- the Cubs and their fan base endured a series of bad trades, bad ownership and bad … Continue reading Cubs win first World Series in 108 years

Honeymooners’ trip down Route 66

The good folks at the Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, New Mexico, flagged this video the other day on Facebook, saying: Giacomo and Giulia from Italy traveled Route 66 on their Honeymoon earlier this year, and we were honored to have them as our guests. They've just released this fun video of their trip. I … Continue reading Honeymooners’ trip down Route 66

Curt Teich Postcard Archive to be donated to Chicago library

TheCurt Teich Postcard Archive, which contains thousands of vintage images from Route 66 from the 1920s to the 1970s, soon will be donated to The Newberry library in Chicago. The Lake County Forest Preserve District, which had owned the archive for decades, said the deal to The Newberry likely will be finalized sometime next week … Continue reading Curt Teich Postcard Archive to be donated to Chicago library