Just When You Think You Get Caught Up with Route 66-- Part 2

Even more Route 66 stuff:

1. SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS' 1898 Union Station received one of the Victorian Society of America's 2007 Preservation Awards for the $12.5 million restoration of the station. A key part of it was the rebuilding of the 150 foot tower looming over the structure. It is located by the Abraham Lincoln Library and Museum and is a visitors center.

At times, it was also an upscale shopping mall and had state offices.

The Victorian Society was formed as a reaction to the 1964 demolition of New York City's famous Pennsylvania Station. They are primarily interested in saving sites from the Victoria Era, when Queen Victoria reigned in England, 1837-1901. They chose several preservation projects a year.

Judging from the article comments, there are plenty of people who think the money was wasted. We've watched the progress of it and it is IMPRESSIVE. We particularly like the landscaped grounds.

Stae Journal-Register June 21st- "Union Station earns national recognition" by Pete Sherman.


2. In another Steve Lackmeyer article, this time about the CLINTON ROUTE 66 FESTIVAL in Oklahoma that continues until Sunday. He said that Friday's rain didn't stop volunteers from scraping peeling paint off Ray's Motel in Clinton. Even while having a good time, 66ers still do their part for preservation, a big part of why we get involved with the road.

There are lots of vendors and visitors. It is good for Clinton's business and also raises Route 66 awareness among the people of the town.

He interviewed one of my good friends, Ron Jones, aka "Tattoo Man". This Route 66 fanatic takes his love for the road to another level. In the past seven years, he's had 54 tattoos (53 of Route 66 places) inked. At 5 foot 7 inches, "my canvas is running out of room." I remember sitting at the Alamo at last fall's Springfield, Il. 66 Festival with a bunch of 66 e-mail group members and trying to figure out where else Ron could put tattoos. I won't go into that here.

3. Bobby Troup said you could "Get Your Kicks on Route 66", but if you want to "Get Your News on Route 66", you need to go to Ron Warnick's blog called Route 66 News. This is one amazing site and you can go to it at rwarn17588.wordpress/ .

He reports about the Will Rogers awards presented last night in Clinton. Ron now lives in Tulsa, and was pleased that so many Oklahomans received them.

Michael Wallis- Will Rogers Award
Marian Clark- Person of the Year
Route 66 Harley-Davidson in Tulsa- Business of the Year
Delbert and Ruth Trew- Lifetime Achievement
David and Mary Lou Knudson- Founder's Award
Old Armory Group- Preservation Award
Nora Mansfield- Route 66 Ambassador

You can find out about these people at his site.


4. Ron also reports that R.E. Humbertson came the closest to guessing Tulsa's 2007 population back when the 1957 Plymouth Belvedere was buried back in 1957. He is the proud owner of a VERY rusted 1957 Plymouth Belvedere. He would have been 85 years old today, but early reports are that he died 30 years ago. We learn that he has two sisters still living so they will inherit it.


What Ya Gonna Do with a Very Rusted 1957 Belevedere? --RoadDog