Organizers for the Birthplace of Route 66 Festival in Springfield, Missouri, say the recent event drew about 65,000 people, which tied the record set in 2019. No festival occurred in 2020 and 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Organizers during previous festivals had projected attendance of 70,000 to 80,000 people. According to the Springfield Business … Continue reading About 65,000 people attend Birthplace of Route 66 Festival, tying its record
Tag: John Woodruff
Early Route 66 advocate was behind the naming of Springfield’s Glenstone Avenue
Early Route 66 advocate John T. Woodruff of Springfield, Missouri, was the man responsible for the naming of the city's Glenstone Avenue, a prominent alignment of that historic highway. That was revealed in a recent Answer Man column by Steve Pokin for the Springfield Daily Citizen, a new media outlet. Pokin also was the Answer … Continue reading Early Route 66 advocate was behind the naming of Springfield’s Glenstone Avenue
Artificial intelligence program brings deceased Route 66 figures seemingly to life
A few weeks ago, the MyHeritage genealogy website released an artificial intelligence program called Deep Nostalgia. It takes still photographs of people, analyzes them and animates their faces in a lifelike way by making them seemingly blink their eyes, move their heads and make subtle movements with their lips. The effect often proves amazing, unsettling … Continue reading Artificial intelligence program brings deceased Route 66 figures seemingly to life
John T. Woodruff’s 150th birthday observed
People gathered in Springfield, Missouri, on Saturday night to mark the 150th birthday of John T. Woodruff -- one of the city's top early developers and a key figure in establishing U.S. Highway 66. The event occurred at the former Kentwood Arms Hotel, now a dormitory for Missouri State University, in downtown Springfield. More in … Continue reading John T. Woodruff’s 150th birthday observed
Book review: “John T. Woodruff”
Cyrus Avery of Tulsa is known worldwide as the "Father of Route 66." Springfield, Missouri, is known as the "Birthplace of Route 66." John Woodruff never earned a tagline with his name. But a new book leaves little doubt he played a crucial role in developing Route 66 and Springfield. Thomas A. Peters' book is titled "John T. Woodruff" … Continue reading Book review: “John T. Woodruff”
New research solidifies Springfield as birthplace of Route 66
For several years, the town of Springfield, Missouri, has proclaimed itself as the "Birthplace of Route 66" and in recent years launched a fast-growing festival of the same name. Now it appears new historical research has deepened the link between Route 66, Springfield and its birth date of April 30, 1926. From a news release … Continue reading New research solidifies Springfield as birthplace of Route 66