Association seeks to complete restoration of McLean Phillips 66 station by October

The Texas Old Route 66 Association on Friday finished the re-roofing of the 1928 Phillips 66 station in McLean, Texas, and hopes to complete the final two stages of restoration by the association's motor tour in October. Gary Daggett, president of the association, said in a telephone interview the partial restoration of the station's pumps … Continue reading Association seeks to complete restoration of McLean Phillips 66 station by October

Ruth Trew retires from Devil’s Rope Barbwire Museum after more than three decades

Ruth Trew, longtime treasurer and secretary of the Devil's Rope Barbwire Museum in McLean, Texas, recently retired after 32 years at the Route 66 landmark. Trew turns 90 years old today. She undoubtedly greeted thousands of tourists at the museum over the years. She also is known as the wife of Delbert Trew, who shepherded … Continue reading Ruth Trew retires from Devil’s Rope Barbwire Museum after more than three decades

Devil’s Rope Museum in McLean reopens for the first time in a year

The Devil's Rope Museum in McLean, Texas, is back open to the public after being closed for a solid year because of COVID-19. That museum's reopening is another signal that the U.S. is slowly emerging from the pandemic. Vaccinations have reduced caseloads and hospitalizations in many states. KAMR-TV in nearby Amarillo reported: “We had just … Continue reading Devil’s Rope Museum in McLean reopens for the first time in a year

“Two for the Road” episode on PBS-TV features the Texas Panhandle

A PBS-TV show titled "Two for the Road" recently aired a special episode that features the Texas Panhandle, of which a prominent portion includes Route 66 country. The show generously showcases the Route 66 towns of Shamrock, McLean, Groom, Amarillo, Vega, Adrian and Glenrio, along with Palo Duro Canyon, a popular side trip south of … Continue reading “Two for the Road” episode on PBS-TV features the Texas Panhandle

PBS station interviews Delbert Trew, a figure in Route 66’s renaissance

Do yourself a favor and watch this delightful 13-minute interview with Texas Panhandle rancher Delbert Trew and his wife by a local PBS station. The talk reveals a lot of Trew's homespun sense of humor. Trew probably is best-known for shepherding the founding of the Devil's Rope and Route 66 Museum in McLean, Texas, which … Continue reading PBS station interviews Delbert Trew, a figure in Route 66’s renaissance

Avalon Theatre in McLean torn down

The historic but long-closed Avalon Theatre in downtown McLean, Texas, was torn down Saturday. Leigh Ann Isbell of McLean, listed as manager of the nearby Devil's Rope Barbwire Museum in town, posted this photo on Facebook of the theater being razed, with a "Route 66 Roadside Attraction" sign barely hanging from a nearby utility pole. She … Continue reading Avalon Theatre in McLean torn down

A closer look at McLean, Texas

The Once Upon a Town project -- a collaborative film effort that explores historic towns in Texas -- recently completed an eight-minute film about the Route 66 community of McLean, Texas. You'll see longtime Route 66 advocate Delbert Trew interviewed, along with a lot of nice drone-aircraft footage of McLean. https://youtu.be/1MIws0cvizk The Devil's Rope Museum … Continue reading A closer look at McLean, Texas

A visit to Red River Steakhouse

KC Keefer Photography continues its "Genuine Route 66 Life" video series with a visit to the Red River Steakhouse in McLean, Texas. In the clip is an interview with proprietor Will Frost, who may be younger than you'd expect. https://youtu.be/wLmyqFuLWvU We've found the Red River Steakhouse to be an ideal stopping place if our schedule … Continue reading A visit to Red River Steakhouse