Route 66 Cruising: Pontiac, Galena, California and Oklahoma

Items concerning Route 66.

1. PONTIAC, ILLINOIS- The 4th annual Route 66 Antique Tractor Roadshow took place this past weekend. The tractors arrived at 4-H Park on Friday. Then Saturday, they took historic 66 and another road north to Dwight, stopping at Odell's restored 1932 Standard station.

On their return to Pontiac, they parked downtown and took part in Pontiac's Heritage Days celebration.

On Sunday they went to Threshermen's Park.

These I got from Ron Warnick's Route 66 News site, the place you want to go for up-to-date news of the Mother Road.

2. GALENA, KANSAS- Somebody shot Tow Mater!!!! The 1951 International boom truck that was the inspiration for the popular Mater from the movie "Cars" was shot four times in the windshield. Now who would do something like that? What would Mater say?  Where's Frank when you need him?

3. SOUTH PASADENA, CALIFORNIA- The Rialto Theater's last day of operation will be August 19th with a showing of the Simpsons movie. The structure, built in 1925, has been losing money and is in need of restoration, at least $1 million to start with and perhaps more. There is interest, however, in saving it, and making it a lynchpin for the redevelopment of the area, so there is hope.

Those grand old movie theaters deserve to be saved. I know, around me, the Woodstock, Il, Opera House, and Crystal Lake's Raue Theater have sparked growth in their respective towns. Then there is the beautiful Rialto Square Theater in Joliet, Illinois, that continues to be a delight.

4. ARCADIA, OKLAHOMA- Lose One, Win One. - A very unique B & B and cafe called HILLBILLIES shut down August 2nd due to the owners wanting to retire. One building was a 1920s Phillip's 66 station and the cabins were an old motor court. I never got a chance to visit it, but, it was a very interesting looking place. Hopefully someone will continue with it.

POP'S CONVENIENCE STORE and RESTAURANT opened in Arcadia August 7th. Route 66 was always a changing road, from both businesses and the actual alignment. We now have a new place worth a stop. It is described as refined kitsch with its giant bottle and overhang outside. Definitely worth a stop the next time you're through.

Keep on Down that Two Lane Highway. --RoadDog