Kingman Visitors Center will have lighting ceremony for its new sign on May 20

The Kingman Visitors Center in the Powerhouse Museum in Kingman, Arizona, will hold a lighting ceremony for its new neon sign on the evening of May 20. The ceremony will take place from 7 to 7:30 p.m. and will be streamed live on Facebook. The sign at 120 W. Andy Devine Ave. (aka Route 66) … Continue reading Kingman Visitors Center will have lighting ceremony for its new sign on May 20

Cuba, Missouri, launches a new tourism app

The Cuba Area Chamber of Commerce in the Route 66 town of Cuba, Missouri, recently launched a Visit Cuba Mo app with the help of developer Go to Blu. According to a news release about the app: The free app available through Google Play or the Apple App Store provides the visitor with an event … Continue reading Cuba, Missouri, launches a new tourism app

Much chatter about not much with Budville story

A lot of people got excited on social media the other day with a story about the possibility of the long-closed Budville Trading Co. in New Mexico reopening. However, a closer look at the story itself reveals nothing new or noteworthy. It makes one wonder why Albuquerque TV station KRQE did anything at all. Here's … Continue reading Much chatter about not much with Budville story

Book review: “Murder and Mayhem on the Main Street of America”

This book isn't your typical nostalgic road trip down Route 66. Instead, Jim Hinckley's "Murder and Mayhem on the Main Street of America" (paperback, 256 pages, Rio Nuevo Publishers, photographs) exists as a travelogue of the horrific wrecks, disasters, gangsters, race riots and mad-dog killers along even bucolic towns on Route 66. Subtitled "Tales from … Continue reading Book review: “Murder and Mayhem on the Main Street of America”

Route 66 Navigation app adjusting routes ‘to deliver the best experience’

The creator of the paid Route 66 Navigation app announced this week the app's routes through Kingman, Arizona, and Cuba, Missouri, have been adjusted so they could "deliver travelers the best experience on historic Route 66." Marian Pavel, CEO of Slovakia-based Touch Media, also said he soon would adjust routes through Albuquerque and St. Louis … Continue reading Route 66 Navigation app adjusting routes ‘to deliver the best experience’

“Murder and Mayhem on the Main Street of America” will be published next month

Jim Hinckley's latest book, "Murder and Mayhem on the Main Street of America," will be published by Arizona-based Rio Nuevo Publishers, and Amazon already is taking preorders. Subtitled "Tales from Bloody 66," Hinckley took a hard look at the darker history of the Mother Road. Here's the blurb from the publisher: Families on vacation. Serial … Continue reading “Murder and Mayhem on the Main Street of America” will be published next month

Kingman’s vice mayor donates salary to Jim Hinckley’s Route 66 marketing efforts

The vice mayor of Kingman, Arizona, recently announced he is donating his salary for Jim Hinckley's promotional and marketing efforts of Route 66 in the region. Hinckley stated in an email the donation is worth $7,200 a year, and Vice Mayor Travis Lingenfelter will continue those contributions until he leaves office. "I am honored, humbled, … Continue reading Kingman’s vice mayor donates salary to Jim Hinckley’s Route 66 marketing efforts

Route 66 Navigation creators working on a Route 66 Passport

The folks who created the Route 66 Navigation app for smartphones are working on a Route 66 Passport project with two Mother Road enthusiasts. Touch Media, which developed the app, stated in a news release: The “Route 66 Passport” with illustrations by artist Joyce Cole will provide Route 66 travelers with a fun, informative and … Continue reading Route 66 Navigation creators working on a Route 66 Passport

Ramada Kingman, Canyon 66 restaurant abruptly close

The Ramada Kingman hotel and its Canyon 66 Restaurant and Lounge in Kingman, Arizona, abruptly closed this week amid allegations of unpaid contractor bills and stiffed employees. It was the second high-profile lodging establishment to close in Kingman in less than six months. The historic Hill Top Motel closed late last year after being foreclosed. … Continue reading Ramada Kingman, Canyon 66 restaurant abruptly close

New neon sign, lizard statue goes up in Kingman

Route 66 author and tour guide Jim Hinckley recently sent a long list of additions in Kingman, Arizona -- including a new neon sign along Route 66 and a statue of a big lizard. Based on those two things, it's safe to say Kingman no longer is a sleepy Route 66 town. Hinckley wrote: Improvements … Continue reading New neon sign, lizard statue goes up in Kingman