“The Great Muslim American Road Trip” coming to PBS this summer

"The Great Muslim American Road Trip," a documentary series about a Muslim couple traveling Route 66, will air on PBS-TV later this summer. The three-part series will be offered on PBS stations, PBS.org and the PBS app, reported Realscreen.com. The series follows rapper Mona Haydar and her husband Sebastian Robins as they explore the U.S. … Continue reading “The Great Muslim American Road Trip” coming to PBS this summer

Ozark Court motel sign to be restored, planned for Route 66 exhibit in 2025

A recent Instagram post answered a question: What happened to the Ozark Court motel sign in St. Clair, Missouri, that disappeared from Route 66 almost 20 years ago? A collector with extensive historical ties to the St. Louis region procured the sign, which he plans to include in a Route 66 exhibit at the National … Continue reading Ozark Court motel sign to be restored, planned for Route 66 exhibit in 2025

A closer look at the closed MacArthur Bridge in St. Louis

It's hard to believe, but the MacArthur Bridge that once connected Route 66 from East St. Louis to St. Louis has been closed to vehicular traffic for more than 40 years but still is standing. KHMO radio recently flagged this video by urban explorer Tattoo Tony Alton where he and a pal explored the bridge, … Continue reading A closer look at the closed MacArthur Bridge in St. Louis

Old Chain of Rocks Bridge gets $990,000 federal grant to improve visitors area

The owner of the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge in St. Louis will receive a $990,000 federal grant from to improve the visitor area, including security enhancements. The National Park Service awarded the grant to the Great Rivers Greenway, which owns the bridge that once carried Route 66 over the Mississippi River, reported the St. … Continue reading Old Chain of Rocks Bridge gets $990,000 federal grant to improve visitors area

Big Boy locomotive will make several stops in Route 66 towns in Missouri, Oklahoma

The legendary Big Boy No. 4014 steam locomotive owned by the Union Pacific Railroad will make stops in several Route 66 towns in Oklahoma and Missouri in August during its 2021 tour. The Big Boy will make scheduled stops at these Mother Road cities: Aug. 12, Vinita, Oklahoma, at East Flint Avenue crossing; 9:45 a.m. … Continue reading Big Boy locomotive will make several stops in Route 66 towns in Missouri, Oklahoma

Eat-Rite Diner in St. Louis has a new operator, may reopen it by May

The historic Eat-Rite Diner, which closed a few months ago, recently landed a new operator who said he will convert the tiny Route 66 restaurant into "a brunch focused diner concept." The news first broke on Facebook, when St. Louis-area chef Tim Eagan announced his signing of the lease: https://www.facebook.com/tim.eagan/posts/10225267710309715 In a comment thread with … Continue reading Eat-Rite Diner in St. Louis has a new operator, may reopen it by May

‘Valentine Sally’ identified nearly 40 years after her body was found near Ash Fork

About a year ago, Route 66 enthusiast Blue Miller wrote on her Never Quite Lost blog about the mystery of "Valentine Sally," an unidentified young woman whose body was found near Ash Fork, Arizona, in an apparent homicide in February 1982. This week, Valentine Sally finally has her true name. She is Carolyn Eaton, a … Continue reading ‘Valentine Sally’ identified nearly 40 years after her body was found near Ash Fork

A rare glimpse inside one of the water-intake towers near the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge

If you've ever walked on the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge that connects St. Louis to Madison, Illinois, you probably wondered what is inside those nearby water-intake towers on the Mississippi River. St. Louis television station KTVI provided a rare look via water intake tower No. 2: KTVI also has a gallery of images inside … Continue reading A rare glimpse inside one of the water-intake towers near the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge

St. Robert begins restoration of Stanley Cour-Tel neon signs

The City of St. Robert, Missouri, recently announced it began the long-awaited restoration of the Stanley Cour-Tel neon signs that once graced a defunct motel along Route 66 in west St. Louis. The sign restorations are part of the Route 66 Sign Neon Park planned at the historic George M. Reed Roadside Park at 228 … Continue reading St. Robert begins restoration of Stanley Cour-Tel neon signs

Eat-Rite Diner in St. Louis shuts down again

The historic Eat-Rite Diner in St. Louis has closed permanently for a second time in a little more than three years. Longtime Route 66 enthusiast Joe Sonderman reported the closing in a Facebook post on Friday evening, with the owners citing crime, violence and COVID-19 regulations. KSDK-TV in St. Louis confirmed the closure with the … Continue reading Eat-Rite Diner in St. Louis shuts down again