Warehouse fire destroys inventory by several Route 66 authors

Fire destroyed a St. Louis warehouse used by Reedy Press, along with all the stored books by several Route 66 authors, according to several media reports. Smoke from the five-alarm fire that began Wednesday morning was seen for miles, reported the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. At one point, part of the building collapsed onto a firetruck, and … Continue reading Warehouse fire destroys inventory by several Route 66 authors

The first episode of “Jim Hinckley’s America — A Trek Along Route 66”

Promote Kingman recently released the first in what will be a series of videos called "Jim Hinckley’s America -- A Trek Along Route 66." The video by MyMarketing Designs was screened a few weeks ago in Kingman, Arizona, and it recently was embedded on the Promote Kingman webpage. It features local author and Route 66 advocate Jim Hinckley … Continue reading The first episode of “Jim Hinckley’s America — A Trek Along Route 66”

Book review: “Route 66 Roadside Signs and Advertisements”

"Route 66 Roadside Signs and Advertisements" leaves little doubt it exists primarily as an image-driven book. After all, you have to show all these neon signs, banners and billboards that made an indelible impression on generations of Route 66 travelers and contributed to the road's colorful history. The book contains hundreds of photographs by Route 66 … Continue reading Book review: “Route 66 Roadside Signs and Advertisements”

Reports from the European Route 66 Festival

Author Jim Hinckley traveled earlier this month's to European Route 66 Festival near Ofterdingen, Germany, on behalf of the city of Kingman, Arizona, and to represent the Route 66: The Road Ahead Initiative. He promised a report about his experiences and impressions. You can read it below the fold in full -- which I encourage. But here's a summary … Continue reading Reports from the European Route 66 Festival

Who’s going to the European Route 66 Festival?

I have two questions for my American readers. Are you going to the first-ever European Route 66 Festival near Stuttgart, Germany, on July 15-17? If so, are you going under the auspices of a certain organization? If any of those are a "yes," please elaborate in the comments section. Those questions came to mind when I learned … Continue reading Who’s going to the European Route 66 Festival?

Jim Hinckley presentation will help neon-sign initiative

Author Jim Hinckley of Kingman, Arizona, has done his share of tours and presentations about the history of Route 66. However, at 5 p.m. Jan. 16, the proceeds from his "Armchair Tour Along Route 66 -- The Main Street of America" at Beale Celebrations in Kingman and a walking tour in downtown will benefit the … Continue reading Jim Hinckley presentation will help neon-sign initiative

Cross-country driving a century ago

You have people who try to trace the paths of history. Then you have people who really try to re-create the entire experience from many decades ago. These images came a few days ago courtesy of Jim Hinckley of Kingman, Arizona, who explained in an email: In 1915, then 21-year old Edsel Ford and some … Continue reading Cross-country driving a century ago

Electric vehicle museum opens in Kingman

The exhibit of electric vehicles at the Powerhouse Visitors Center on Route 66 in Kingman, Arizona, during the International Route 66 Festival last month has become a permanent museum to EVs, with more vehicles coming soon. According to a story on EV News Report, the Historic Electric Vehicle Foundation's exhibit was visited by people from … Continue reading Electric vehicle museum opens in Kingman

Route 66 roadies’ memories of Jay Leno

In case you missed it, Jay Leno logged his last night Thursday as host of NBC's "The Tonight Show" after 22 years in the chair. You can watch the entire episode online, but here's his emotional and graceful goodbye: Even though Leno is known as a car nut, not many roadies can claim they had … Continue reading Route 66 roadies’ memories of Jay Leno

Book review: “Route 66 Treasures”

A new book from prolific author Jim Hinckley, "Route 66 Treasures" (64 pages, hardback, Voyageur Press, $30 U.S. retail) might seem just a simple collection of facsimile souvenirs from the Mother Road. It is that, but it's more. Although its 64 pages seem to be a slim book, Hinckley and more than 100 color illustrations … Continue reading Book review: “Route 66 Treasures”