Charles Custer, a retired Chicago lawyer whose startlingly detailed photographs of Route 66 businesses that he and his wife Irene took in the early 1950s were recently re-discovered, died at age 91 in January. The Chicago Sun-Times described Custer's remarkable life and photographic legacy in an obituary last week. A memorial service had been planned … Continue reading Charles Custer, a photographer of Route 66 in the early 1950s, dies at age 91
Tag: Michael Wallis
Despite losing $6M in funds, backers still push for building Route 66 Experience
The supporters of a Route 66 Experience complex near the banks of the Arkansas River in Tulsa still want to proceed with the project despite recently losing $6 million in funding from the city, according to one report. Public Radio Tulsa seems to be the first media outlet reporting the loss of the $6 million … Continue reading Despite losing $6M in funds, backers still push for building Route 66 Experience
Newspaper editorial floats National Park idea for Route 66
In the wake of the ongoing struggle to designate Route 66 as a National Historic Trail, a newspaper along the historic highway has floated an intriguing idea -- make Route 66 a national park instead. The editorial board of the Joplin Globe in Missouri published an editorial with that proposal a few days ago. Below … Continue reading Newspaper editorial floats National Park idea for Route 66
Tulsa radio station looks at Route 66’s past, future
KRMG, a prominent radio station in Tulsa, recently produced a special about that city's extensive link to Route 66 and its role in the historic highway's future. The three-part segment, which totals less than eight minutes, includes interviews with Michael Wallis, author of the seminal "Route 66: The Mother Road"; Ken Busby of the Route … Continue reading Tulsa radio station looks at Route 66’s past, future
Oklahoma senator says he’ll withdraw bill to rename a part of Route 66 for Trump
One day after the bill was introduced, an Oklahoma state senator withdrew a proposal to rename a stretch of Route 66 as President Donald J. Trump Highway after the measure received widespread criticism from Route 66 fans and fellow lawmakers, including Trump's supporters. State Sen. Nathan Dahm (R-Broken Arrow) said Wednesday he would withdraw the … Continue reading Oklahoma senator says he’ll withdraw bill to rename a part of Route 66 for Trump
More screenings announced for “Almost Ghosts” Route 66 documentary
The filmmakers of the "Almost Ghosts" documentary have announced more screenings of the film at several historic theaters on or near Route 66. A screen-capture image of Angel Delgadillo in the "Almost Ghosts" film. The Flagstaff screening will feature one of the film's subjects, Angel "Angel of Route 66" Delgadillo, speaking before the movie. At … Continue reading More screenings announced for “Almost Ghosts” Route 66 documentary
A closer look at the Route 66 research that went into the “Cars” film
If you have about a half-hour to spare, I urge you to watch this entertaining featurette about Pixar's research of Route 66 before the animation studio released the "Cars" movie in 2006. "Cars" director John Lasseter explains what happened during that road trip, and "Route 66: The Mother Road" author Michael Wallis -- later to … Continue reading A closer look at the Route 66 research that went into the “Cars” film
Buck Atom space cowboy dedicated at Route 66 shop in Tulsa
Hundreds of people attended the dedication ceremony Saturday for the new, 21-foot-tall Buck Atom space cowboy sculpture at the Buck Atom's Cosmic Curious shop on 66 shop in Tulsa. Prominent figures such as Mayor G.T. Bynum, Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell, "Route 66: The Mother Road" author Michael Wallis, Abby Kurin of the Tulsa Office of … Continue reading Buck Atom space cowboy dedicated at Route 66 shop in Tulsa
More details emerge about Buck Atom Space Cowboy dedication on Saturday
We've known for some weeks about the big party at 10 a.m. Saturday for the 21-foot-tall Buck Atom Space Cowboy fiberglass giant that will be dedicated at Buck Atom's Cosmic Curios on 66 in Tulsa. Mary Beth Babcock, the effervescent owner of the souvenir store in a former gas station at 1347 E. 11th St. … Continue reading More details emerge about Buck Atom Space Cowboy dedication on Saturday
Public TV station profiles writer Michael Wallis
RSU Public TV, based at Rogers State University in Claremore, Oklahoma, recently completed this 25-minute profile in its "Perspective" series about author, actor and speaker Michael Wallis. Wallis remains best-known for two things -- writing the best-selling "Route 66: The Mother Road" that sparked the renaissance of the historic highway and providing the voice of … Continue reading Public TV station profiles writer Michael Wallis