Along 66, October 2020: Tulsa Race Massacre, Litchfield Veterans and the Amboy Crater

OCTOBER 22

Ten coffins were found in a mass grave which may have been victims of the 1921 Tulsa, Oklahoma Race Massacre.  

A sad chapter of Route 66 history along with the way black motorists were treated.

See my Cooter's History Thing blog for more information.

OCTOBER 23

Litchfield Museum and Route 66 Welcome Center wins a $30,000 grant to expand their veterans exhibit.  They have lots of information on Litchfield and area veterans who served.  The last time through there, we stopped and I asked about War of 1812 veterans buried around the town and they had several pages worth of names and information.  You don't usually think of War of 1812 veterans and Illinois.

OCTOBER 25

Amboy Crater in California is among the newest additions to the National Trail System.  It is located in California's Mojave Desert

Some 30 sites were added to the list.

The crater, located near Amboy (Roy's), population 5, is 1.5 miles long and984 feet high at the rim and has quite a view, or so I have heard.

That Had to be Quite an Impact When That Meteor Hit.  Wondering How Roy's Survived?  Probably Why Gas Is So Expensive There.    --RoadIte

A REAL Big Leg Lamp in an Oklahoma Town This Christmas

From News 8, NBC, Tampa, Florida, '40-foot tall leg lamp from 'Christmas Story' stands in Oklahoma in 'indescribably beautiful glory.'

The City of Chickasha, Oklahoma, is known for its "Festival of Light" display.  But, now they have a little something that really makes them stand out and that is their giant "Christmas Story" leg lamp.

Well, it was one of those "Triple Dog Dares" but, they got it anyway.

Right now, it is inflatable, but plans are in the works to get a more permanent one.

Since "A Christmas Story" is my  all-time favorite Christmas movie, I sure would take a detour next time in Oklahoma to see that lamp (which I hope is lighted as well).

Chickasha has a population of 16,036.

It is located southwest of Oklahoma City.  For those of you cruising Route 66, you can just take I-44 southwest from OKC, or from I-40, go south on US-270 from El Reno.  Distance 36 miles.

I'd Definitely Be There.  --RoadLeg

Thanksgiving with the V.

Stayed home for Thanksgiving this year.

While my mom was alive and after Dad died, I used to drive 1100 miles every Thanksgiving to spend time with her and family in North Carolina, but since she's been gone (in 2016) I just stay here in  Illinois.  Most Thanksgivings, we go over to McHenry and have T-giving dinner at the Grand Buffet, a Chinese place.  Love that selection and food.  

After that, we go to Sunnyside Tavern in Johnsburg and talk with friends while watching some NFL football.

Yesterday, we just stayed home, but had a ham dinner with apple sauce, pineapples, green beans and Hawaiian rolls.  Not bad in these virus times.

Originally we had planned to be in Georgia where my sister had a dinner for family in Savannah.  Things must be much better in the south with the virus, because her two lids and their families were there (from Tifton, Georgia and Bluffton, South Carolina which are nearby) as were my brother and girlfriend from Goldsboro, North Carolina and nephews family from Nashville, Tennessee.

Maybe Next Year, hopefully.

--RoadDog

Along Lincoln Highway, April 2020: At NIU With the Virus, Donating Blood With the Virus and Coughing With the Virus

APRIL  7

Students share their experiences on campus during the pandemic.  Northern Illinois University in DeKalb.  The college is located right on Lincoln Highway.  Headlines you might not expect to see on other times.  But the school was there during the Spanish Flu pandemic so imagine they also had to deal with it.

APRIL 7

Where to donate blood in Pennsylvania during the coronavirus  crisis.  Exton.

APRIL 7

Two accused of purposefully coughing.  Indiana.  One person coughed at a fast food restaurant in Hempfield Township.

As They Say, These Are Strange Times Indeed.  --RoadDog

Along 66, October, 2020: Goodbye Yahoo Route 66 E-Mail Group and the George M. Reed Roadside Park in St. Roberts, Mo.

OCTOBER 15

Yahoo! will delete the Route 66 e-mail group on December 15.  This was once a huge and influential group to which I belonged in my early Route 66 days back in early 2000s.  I haven't posted anything in it for years, but read the updates regularly. What is left of the group is going to the MeWe platform which now has 350 members.  The old Yahoo e-mail group had 2,000 members.

All things change, but the group will be missed.

The e-mail group breakfast was always a high point of the Route 66 conferences.

It was one of the last-operating e-mail groups at Yahoo!

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OCTOBER 17

Pulaski County, Missouri, has given $12,000 to St. Roberts, Missouri, so they can continue their neon park project.  This will be located at the George M. Reed Roadside Park at 228 Old Route 66 in St. Roberts.

This is one of the only two remaining original roadside parks on Route 66 in Missouri.  It is located in the median between east and west bound Route 66 and features a tank as well as picnic tables.

And, as I have said many times, you can never have too much neon.

Neon!  More Neon.  I Need More Neon!!  --RoadNeon

Along 66, October 2020: Tulsa's Neon Sign and the Brookshore Motel Is No More

OCTOBER  4

The 15th neon sign either built or restored along Tulsa, Oklahoma's Route 66 Corridor has been turned on.  It is at the Mother Road Market & Shops at 11th Street (Route 66) and Lewis Avenue.

I've said it before and will say it again, you can NEVER have too much neon.

OCTOBER 14

The long-troubled Brookshire Motel in Tulsa has been torn down.  It has been vacant a long time and lots of suspicious stuff happening there.  Most recently they had the fourth fire at the site with one body found.

It used to be at 11017 E. 11th Street (Route 66)

The sign is the only thing left standing and I hope it can be saved.  Add it to all that  great neon stuff Tulsa has going on these days.

--RoadDog

Along 66, October, 2020: Nominees for Illinois Hall of Fame, Not the Largest and Jericho

OCTOBER 10

The Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame is now open for nominations for the Class of 2021.  Members have until December 31 to submit nominees.  There haven't been any for several years that I know of, but surely (and don't call me Shirley) there ought to be a few out there.

OCTOBER 11

Wellston, Oklahoma, planning on having the "World's Largest Route 66 Sign."  They plan to have a 25-by-25 foot sign, but, alas, it won't be the world's largest 66 sign because Motorheads Bar & Grill in Springfield, Illinois, already has the largest at 32-by-32 feet.

See, if they would just read the Route 66 News blog they would already know.

OCTOBER 12

A couple has bought Jericho, Texas.  Well, what there is to Jericho, Texas, which isn't much.  It is what is referred to as a ghost town.

The couple plan to beautify the place and stabilize the motor court ruins.  Eventually maybe even build a new motor court.

The site consists of 72 acres.  I wonder how much they paid for it?

Good Luck, Young Couple.  Looks Like Joshua Has Already Been There.  --RoadGhost

Eating Those American Pies (Pizza That Is)-- Part 2: California and New York Pizza

CALIFORNIA

CRUST:  Hand-tossed thin or cauliflower crust (figures)

CHEESE:  Mozzarella but also Monterey Jack and Romano.

TOPPING:  Farmers market veggies or combos such as barbecue sauce and chicken.  (Eating a healthy pizza?)

COOKING METHOD:  Baked in an open-hearth oven.

HOW TO EAT:  No utensils needed.

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NEW YORK CITY

CRUST:  Hand-tossed thin, chewy, foldable.

CHEESE:  Low-moisture shredded mozzarella.

TOPPING:  Classic has cheese only.

COOKING METHOD:  Baked in a gas deck oven.

HOW TO EAT:  From a white paper plate, using "fold-and-hold" technique.

I generally favor Chicago-style, but like BBQ, I've never met a pizza I didn't like.  

There is also a Quad City Style-pizza (Iowa and Illinois along the Mississippi River).  Click the label below to read about it.

--RoadPizza

Eating Those American Pies (Pizza, That Is)-- Part 1: Detroit and Chicago Pizzas

From the AAAP magazine "American Pie" by Kelsey Ogletree

Once a pizza was a pizza was a pizza. It was pretty much the same wherever you went.  But now we have regional variations.  One of the newest is from Detroit.  They say this style of pizza was originally baked in blue steel pans intended to hold auto parts.

Here are the facts about the Detroit pizza and three other popular kinds.

DETROIT

CRUST:  Crunchy, cheesy, square, with caramelized edges

CHEESE:  Wisconsin brick

TOPPING:  Pepperoni

COOKING METHOD:  Baked in a rectangular pan.

HOW TO EAT: By fork or hand; one slice is plenty.

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CHICAGO

CRUST:  Firm, flaky, deep

CHEESE:  Whole-milk mozzarella

TOPPING:  Bulk sausage with fennel

COOKING METHOD: Baked in a steel, high-side pie-shaped pan

HOW TO EAT:  Knife and fork for first third of slice, then hands.

I love my Chicago pizza, but am looking forward to trying a Detroit one.

What Would Homer Say About Pizza?  --RoadMMMmmmm

Along 66, October, 2020: Shamrock Court Cleanup Planned

OCTOBER 8

Cleanup day scheduled for next month at Shamrock Court Motel in Sullivan, Missouri.  The good folks at the Missouri Route 66 Association are planning it for the weekend of Nov. 7-8.

The long-closed motel is listed for $125,000, but the price is negotiable.  It was built 1947-1948 and owned by the family of John and Rose Weiland since 1953.

In the late 1970s, it was converted into efficiency apartments and living quarters for the owners.

What I like the best about it is that the outside is covered with that really distinctive giraffe stonework so common in the Ozarks.  When I first saw it was for sale and at that price, I must admit I was more than a bit interested in it.  But, I am retired and ownership of that would entail a whole lot of work.

I would envision it used for small businesses, offices and maybe  several motel rooms for folks wanting a real Route 66 motel experience.  Maybe even a small craft beer place.  Part of it could be a visitors center as well.

And, importantly, Sullivan is the last place heading west on Route 66 in Missouri where you can stop at a Jack in the Box (well, I see at their site that there is now one in Cuba).  I love those Jumbo Jacks and especially their tacos.)

A while back, when I saw that the Blue Swallow in Tucumcari was for sale for $170,000, I also thought about that one.  But again, way too much work for a retired person.

The Shamrock Court looks a lot like the famous Sunset Motel in Villa Ridge, Missouri which was built in 1945.

--RoadJack

Along 66, October 2020: William Shatner and the Threatt Gas Station in Oklahoma (The Black Experience)

These are taken from the Route 66 News blog by Ron Warnick.  I take just the stories of most interest to me.  The site has something every day and in extended form from what I write.  Also, there is a picture or video accompanying it.

To get the best coverage of the Mother Road, go to this site.

OCTOBER 5

William Shatner gets his kicks on Route 66 on his new blues themed album.  I listened to his version of "Get Your Kicks on Route 66."  He needs to keep his acting job because it was pretty bad.

Actually, Shatner made one of his early appearances on an episode of the old "Route 66" TV show.

OCTOBER 6

A cash register from the Threatt Filling Station in Luther, Oklahoma, is to be part  of a Smithsonian exhibition.  It was one of the few gas stations along Route 66 that catered to black motorists.

There is a copy of the Negro Motorist Green Book in the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis.

The black experience on Route 66 before the 1970s is one that has been overlooked  for too long and I am glad to see that this case is no longer.  It is sad that it was that way, but that was just the way it was.  Glad it is not as bad anymore.

Back When Route 66 Wasn't Necessarily So Friendly and Fun for Some.  --RoadDog

Along 66, September 2020: Midpoint Struggling and a New Visitors Center in Albuquerque

SEPTEMBER 24

Fine art photographer lends hand to struggling Midpoint Cafe in Vega, Texas.  Jim Livingston is the artist helping.  

The Midpoint Cafe, so-called because it supposedly is half way between both termini of Route 66, Chicago and Santa Monica, has had revenue impacted by you-know-what.

Liz and I have stopped in there several times.

SEPTEMBER 25

The West Central Route 66 Visitor Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is to break ground in December.  

This is a $12 million project.  Judging by artist panels, this is going to be a neat-looking building.

As  I've said before, you can never have too many museums, neon signs or visitors centers.

--RoadDog

Sometimes I Just Need Some Music in the Midst of a Pandemic and In 1975, Who'd Ever Heard of Social Distancing?: 'Lyin' Eyes'

Today, Chicago's WXRT, 93.1 FM is going back 45 years to those pre-virus days, when music was music, concerts were held and you weren't afraid to get close to people.

The show ran from 9 to noon CST.

Some of the songs they played:

FRANKLIN'S TOWER--  Grateful Dead

BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY--  Queen  Shake your head and let all that hair bounce around.

TOYS IN THE ATTIC--  Aerosmith

VENUS & MARS/ ROCK SHOW--  Wings

LYIN' EYES--  Eagles

I'M ON FIRE--  Dwight Twilley 

WISH YOU WERE HERE--  Pink Floyd

MEXICO--  James Taylor

SATURDAY NIGHT SPECIAL--  Lynyrd Skynyrd

HEARD IT ON THE X--  ZZ Top

BIG BOSS MAN--  Koko Taylor    The Queen of the Blues

10TH AVENUE FREEZEOUT--  Bruce Springsteen

STRANGE MAGIC--  Electric Light Orchestra

FIRE ON THE MOUNTAIN--  Marshall Tucker Band   Southern Rock with a Flute.  Who'd a'figgered?

HOW LONG--  Ace

SLOW RIDE--  Foghat

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Is This The Real Life?  Is This Just Fantasy?"  Answer below.  -- RoadDog

"Bohemian Rhapsody"

Red, White & Blue for Veterans Day: 'White Room'

Today, Bob Stroud played Red, White & Blues songs on his Ten at ten show on Chicago's WDRV, 97.1 FM, the Drive.

He will be replaying these songs at 10 pm Central Standard Time.  It streams on WDRV.

This, of course, was in honor of Veterans Day today.

RED RAIN--  Peter Gabriel

REV ON THE RED LINE--  Foreigner

RED RED WINE--  UB40

A WHITER SHADE OF PALE--  Procul Harum

WHITE WEDDING--  Billy Idol

WHITE ROOM--  Cream

BLUE ON BLACK--  Kenny Wayne Shepherd

BLUE MONEY--    Van Morrison

BULLET IN THE BLUE SKY--  U2

 BLUE COLLAR MAN--  Styx

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Don't Let Me Be Alone, It's Tearing Me Apart."   Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Red Red Wine"

The New Cement Road West of DeKalb Has Hold Up in 1920

 From the September 9, 2020, MidWeek (DeKalb County, Illinois) "Looking Back."

1920, 100 Years Ago.

"Sand is the only material that has arrived for Hart and Page, the contractors, who are laying the cement road west of DeKalb and the trucks yesterday started hauling this material out to the mixer where it will be used when the crew comes down from Rockford again.

"The material that is needed now is gravel and this is the material that is really holding up the work.  None of this has arrived at the present time and when it will arrive is not known."

The road west of DeKalb would be the Lincoln Highway.

--RoadLincoln

Along 66, September 2020: Digging Through Bob's Stuff and Asleep at the Wheel's 50th Anniversary

SEPTEMBER 19--

'Archaeological Dig' scheduled in Illinois to find Bob Waldmire artifacts.  It will happen in Rochester, Illinois, at a place owned by Bob Waldmire's brother, Buzz Waldmire.

Bob spent time there throughout his life and died there in 2009.  (Has it been that long ago?)

Bob was what you would call a collector of too much in this day and age of the frowned upon (I can't think of the word, but know that is also a problem of mine).  Just came to me, the word is clutter.  I clutter too much.

The archaeological crew will be led by Jim Conkle. 

SEPTEMBER 23

Austin City Limits will air "Asleep at the Wheel: A Retrospective" on October 31.

This is the 50th anniversary of Asleep at the Wheel, noted for their Western swing music and what I consider the very best version of "Get Your Kicks on Route 66." They have a CD on my Ultimate Jukebox which gives you an idea of how I feel about them.

Their leader is Ray Benson who has been with them since the beginning after many personnel changes.

He tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this spring.

Of course, they are inspired by Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys and, of course, Western Swing.

I Saw Them at the Woodstock, Illinois, Opera House.  --RoadSwing

Along 66, September 2020: Grant for the Pony Bridge

SEPTEMBER 12--  A $22 million federal grant for the reconstruction of the famous Pony Bridge near Bridgeport, Oklahoma, has been given.  They will keep the historical yellow trusses.

Work on it is to begin in 2022.

AKA William H. Murray Bridge and is one of Route 66's most iconic spans.  It appeared in in the 1939 movie "Grapes of Wrath."  It crosses the South Canadian River.

Quite an impressive span with all those trusses.  There was no river when we crossed it, though.

SEPTEMBER 18--  A new Route 66 Historic Trail bill has been introduced in Congress.

It was introduced by U.S. Representative Darin LaHood (R-Illinois).  It is HR 8240 Bill.

Go, Bill.  --RoadDog

Along 66, September 2020:Tulsa Neon Sign Park and the Runaway Porta-Potty

SEPTEMBER 10--  The lighting ceremony is set for Tuesday night at Tulsa, Oklahoma's new neon sign park.

It has signs from Tulsa Auto Court, Oil Capital Motel and the Will Rogers Motor Courts.

What's better than one neon sign.  Lots of them and very close together.

SEPTEMEBER 11--  A runaway porta-potty created quite a view on Route 66.  Because of very strong winds.  A neat video accompanies the article.

SEPTEMBER 16--  The lights have been turned on at the Tulsa (Oklahoma) Neon Sign Park  Oh, I can almost smell the neon right now.

--RoadNeon

Along 66, September 2020: About Those Pecos Sunflowers and the Red Cedar Inn Sign

These are taken from the Route 66 News blog by Ron Warnick, your best place for anything and everything dealing with our favorite road.  There is at least one entry every day and often more.  And, they are up to date, unlike this blog where I am currently way behind.  There is much more information and I don't choose every entry, just the ones of most interest to me.

SEPTEMBER 8--  The annual bloom of the endangered Pecos sunflower in Santa Rosa, New Mexico, is happening right now.  They are blooming just off Route 66.  Their biggest challenge is loss of wetlands.

The Pecos sunflowers were listed as threatened by the federal government in 1999.

I am a flower nut as most can tell you.

SEPTEMBER 8--  The Route 66 Association of Missouri is raising money to restore the Red Cedar Inn sign in Pacific, Missouri.

It is expected to cost $2,000. The Red Cedar Inn closed abruptly in 2005.  The first time we drove by was in 2003 and we planned on stopping for a meal at some time in the future, but it closed before we had that opportunity.  Looking forward to visiting it when it becomes a welcome center.

--RoadDog

Along 66, August 2020: Cuba Murals and Ok . Road Trip

AUGUST 29--  Murals in Cuba, Missouri, getting a new preservation process.  The first one of those neat murals was put up about 20 years ago.  Artist Shelly Smith Steiger has a team applying mural protectant on all of them.

Of course, because of said art, Cuba is now known as "Mural City."

In Illinois, we have a similar town with lots and lots of murals named Pontiac.  And, most every Lincoln Highway town in Illinois has a mural.

Like neon signs, I love my murals.

AUGUST 30--  The latest Roadtrip Oklahoma video spotlights Tulsa. They go to three places:  Tally's Restaurant with its gigantic cinnamon bun, creative omelets and chicken-fried steak.  

Also Buck Atom's Cosmic Curios and the Route 66 Historical Village.

Sure Looking Forward to getting Back on 66.  --Road66

Along 66, August 2020: Doc Hudson Replica in Galena, Tulsa Motel and the Oklahoma Passbook

AUGUST 24--  A Doc Hudson replica from the famous "Cars" movie was unveiled at Gearhead Curios in Galena, Kansas.   So glad to the see that town running with its Route 66 heritage.  You can thank the opening of the  4 Women on the Route in the old gas station as a major stimulus for all this.  Thanks, ladies.

AUGUST 25--  America's Value Inn in Tulsa will be converted into a sobriety center.  It has been fire damaged and was the old Saratoga Motor Hotel.

It's Googie sign will hopefully be moved to Tulsa's new neon sign park.

AUGUST 27--  The new Oklahoma Route 66 Passbook is available from Oklahoma Tourism.  Participants will need to get it stamped at various places.

The state had been divided into parts: East, central and West

If the place should be closed, passport holders can take a selfie of themselves by it and get it stamped later.

Those passports are a great idea.  People love them.

--RoadDog