Lincoln Highway, Sept. 2020: Olga Herbert Retires from the Pennsylvania Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor

News about the Lincoln Highway.

From the September 29, 2020 Trib Live "Lincoln Highway museum director retiring after 25-year tenure" by Shirley McMarlin.

Olga Herbert is the executive director of the Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor and has been for the last 25b years.  She will be retiring after October.

She says that it wasn't really an organization when she was hired.

Lincoln Highway was designated as one of Pennsylvania's 12 Heritage Areas from Irwin to York, 200 miles long. Under her guidance projects have included Lincoln Highway  road signs, educational projects and the restoration of the iconic 1927 Coffee Pot in Bedford.

A major accomplishment was the  creation of the Lincoln Highway Experience Museum in Unity, where the organization is headquartered.

--RoadDog

The Drive's A to Z Rock Countdown, Now in the Letter "M": 'Moondance'

Well, it started on Christmas Eve and now here it is New Year's Eve and still going strong on Chicago's WDRV, 97.1 FM, the Drive.  Earlier this week I listed some of the letter "G" songs.

They are figuring on playing over 2,000 songs and do some digging for Deep Tracks as well.  Right now, they figure to reach the end at some point next week.

These are songs played most recently:

MONEY TALKS--  AC/DC

MONKEY MAN--  Rolling Stones

MONY MONY--  Billy Idol   (Watch your language now.)

MOONDANCE--  Van Morrison

MOONLIGHT FEELS RIGHT--  Starbuck

MOONLIGHT MILE--  Rolling Stones

MORE THAN A FEELING--  Boston    (When this song came out, my 7th graders couldn't believe I would predict success for this group.)

MORE THAN I CAN SAY--  Leo Sayer

MOTHER--  John Lennon     (No screaming John.)

MOTHER--  Pink Floyd

MOTHER AND CHILD REUNION--  Paul Simon

MOTHER'S LITTLE HELPER--  Rolling Stones

MOVE IT ON OVER--  George Thorogood

MOVE OVER--  Janis Joplin

MOVIN' ON--  Bad Company

MOVING OUT--  Billy Joel

MOVING IN STEREO--  Cars

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  ""Kids Are Different Today, I Hear Every Mother Say."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Mother's Little Helper"

Along 66, November 2020: Atlanta Tourism, Paris Disneyland and That WW II Bomber Landing in Springfield, Illinois

NOVEMBER 24

The city council of Atlanta, Illinois, has voted to create the position of tourism development director with a salary of $20,00.  That is sure a lot of money for a city of just 1,600 people, but they know how important tourist dollars are and they have certainly done a lot with their Route 66 heritage.

Now, if they would just please get rid of the Smiley face on their water tower, life would be good.

NOVEMBER 25

More details are being released about the Cars Route 66 Road Trip section at the Disneyland, Paris site.  

Looks neat, but I seriously doubt that I will ever visit it.  I'm not a fan of those big-wait-in-a-line-forever tourist parks.

NOVEMBER 29

An interesting article has appeared about the landing of a World War II bomber on Route 66 in Springfield, Illinois.

A bomber pilot made an emergency landing on Route 66 in Springfield, Illinois, in 1942 and then took off from the same road after his plane was repaired.

Now I Done Seen Everything.

Check the Tires and Oil.  Clean the Windshield.  --RoadPlane

Lincoln Highway, Aug. 2020: Wilkinsburg's Lincoln Statue-- Part 3

News about the Lincoln Highway.

A new concrete platform for Mr. Lincoln is already in place as a result of a restoration project along Route 30 (U.S. Highway 30).  But Morris said a new dark granite pedestal, which is coming from India, is needed which will add another $15,000 to the project.

Society President  Anne Elise Morris said:  "The old one was not usable.  It didn't pass the  structural engineer's test, and you're certainly not going to have a beautiful new statue and a new viewing area to set it in -- and then have the part that holds them together in poor shape."

President Morris and the others, however, could not have anticipated this new wave of statue destruction that hit this year with the "woke" community.  She said:  "I believe that most people are not perfect and every decision has a back story to it.  Looking back  150 years ago, although Lincoln was not a perfect man,  he certainly did get the ball rolling  to free  three-and-a-half-million African-American slaves.  And he did what he had to do to save the Union.  If anybody deserved to have a statue honoring them, it's Abraham Lincoln."

Agreed.  --RoadDog

Lincoln Highway, Aug. 2020: Working On Wilkinsburg, Pa's Lincoln Statue-- Part 2

News about the Lincoln Highway.

Continued from December 23, 2020.

The statue was placed at that intersection in 1916 because of the completion of the coast-to-coast Lincoln Highway.  Wilkinsburg's Penn  Avenue is a segment of that famed highway.

But, the Lincoln statue's ensuing misadventures are legendary and include the  1981 incident in which an intoxicated couple stole the statue by braking it off at the ankles.  They took it to a Westmoreland farm near Greensburg where, fearful that they might be discovered,  they proceeded to bury the statue in a shallow grave before turning themselves in to authorities.

Old Abe was returned to his spot in 1984, but his weakened ankles couldn't withstand a 1992 wind storm that knocked him off his pedestal once again.  Though he was repaired and rededicated in 2001, it became obvious after the 2018 car incident that a whole new structure was needed.

Artists from around the world contacted the  Wilkinsburg Historical Society to express interest in creating a new statue, but a Pittsburgh area artist was chosen for the job.  His identity is being kept secret until closer to the dedication.

--RoadLincoln

The Drive's A to Z Rock Count Down-- Part 2: 'Gimme Gimme Good Lovin' '

Kind of fun to try to guess the name of the songs as they come up (especially when you know what letter it begins with and where they're at with that letter).

GET READY--  Rare Earth

GETTING BETTER--  Beatles

GETTING IN TIME--  Who

GIVE ME ALL YOUR LOVIN'--  ZZ Top

GIVE ME BACK MY BULLETS--  Lynyrd Skynyrd

GIMME GIMME GOOD LOVIN'--  Crazy Elephant

GIMME GIMME SOME LOVIN'--  Spencer Davis Group

GIMME SHELTER--  Rolling Stones

GIMME THREE STEPS--  Lynyrd Skynyrd

GIRL CAN'T HELP IT--  Journey

GIRLS, GIRLS, GIRLS--  Motley Crue

GIRL'S GOT RHYTHM--  AC/DC

GIVE A LITTLE BIT--  Supertramp

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "I Was Cutting the Rug Down At A Place Called The Jug."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Gimme Three Steps"

The Drive's A to Z Rock Count Down, Now In the Letter 'G'-- Part 1: 'Gallows Pole'

We are in Chicago's WDRV, 97.1 FM's annual year-end countdown of Classic Rock songs from the letter "A" to the letter "Z." They started on Christmas Eve and will be going until sometime in the new year.  At least 2,000 songs.

They start playing them at 6 am and play to midnight before starting the next day.  That way you can hear them all if you can get by with six hours sleep.

By the way, it streams.

Right now they are in the letter "G."

Here are the songs they have played since I started listening to them this morning:

GALLOWS POLE--  Led Zeppelin

GAMES PEOPLE PLAY--  Alan Parsons Project

GAMES PEOPLE PLAY--  Joe South

GAMES WITHOUT FRONTIERS--  Peter Gabriel

GARDEN PARTY--  Rick Nelson

GATOR COUNTRY--   Molly Hatchett

GEORGIE PORCHIE--  Toto

GET A LEG UP--  John Mellancamp

GET BACK--  Beatles

GET CLOSER--  Seals & Crofts

GET OFF MY CLOUD--  Rolling Stones

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "To Reminisce With My Old Friends, A Chance to Share Old Memories."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Garden Party"

Along 66, November 2020: Gillespie Coal Museum and Lowell Davis' Red Oak II

NOVEMBER 21

Gillespie, Illinois, receives a state grant to improve its Illinois Coal Museum.  They will receive $33,800.  One of 43 sites receiving a total of $22.3 million in grants.

It is located at 121 S. Macoupin Street (Route 66).

When people think of coal, they rarely think of Illinois, which is too bad.  That was a big state industry and this museum helps bring this to public attention.

NOVEMBER 24

Lowell Davis' widow pledges to preserve his portion of Red Oak II.  He died earlier in November.  He was the sole owner of the property until 2007 and then Larry Frickenschmidt and his wife began purchasing parts of Red Oak II.

Here's hoping that the place will go on.  Just one more interesting thing to see on 66.

--RoadDog

Little Steven's Underground Christmas: 'Santa Do the Mambo'

Since this be the day, here is a humble offering from Little Steven's Underground Garage's Christmas A-Go-Go to get you in the mood.  There are probably some on this list that maybe you haven't heard before.

JINGLE BELLS--  Electric Prunes

I SAW MOMMY KISSING SANTA CLAUS--  Ronettes

BEATLES MERRY CHRISTMAS

RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER--  Tiny Tim

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY--  Slade

MERRY CHRISTMAS BABY--  Dion

FATHER CHRISTMAS--  Cocktail Slippers

SANTA CLAUS IS SURFING TO TOWNN--  Soupy Sales

HEY, SANTA CLAUS--  Chesterfield Kings

I WISH IT COULD BE CHRSITMAS EVERYDAY--  Roy Woods

BEATLES CHRISTMAS--

SANTA DO THE MAMBO--  John Greer

I'LL BE YOUR SANTA--  Rufus Thomas

LITTLE DRUMMER BOY--  Joan Jett

IF IT DOESN'T SNOW ON CHRISTMAS--  Joe Pesci

Christmas Music Like You Never Heard It Before.  Go to his site to get a long list and chance to hear these songs.  And, don't forget to look down the pictures to the right of this to see the world's largest Leg Lamp in Oklahoma.  Hey, it's that time of the year, you know.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "How's Fatso Going To Use That Sleigh?"  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"If It Doesn't Snow on Christmas"

Lincoln Highway, Aug. 2020: Working On Wilkinsburg Pa's Lincoln Statue-- Part 1

News from the Lincoln Highway.

From the August 18, 2020, TribLive "Plan to replace Abraham Lincoln statue in Wilkinsburg moving along" by Paul Guggenheimer.

Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania.

They are hoping to have the statue back on its perch in time for the anniversary of his birthday next year (Feb. 12 in case you're wondering).  For the past eighteen months, a group of Wilkinsburg residents have been working to raise $70,000 for a new life-size statue of our 16th president.

The statue stood (at one time)  at the intersection of Penn Avenue  and Ardmore Boulevard for decades.  A GoFundMe page was created in April 2019 and an anonymous donor has offered to match donations on it.

The statue currently is in a foundry ready to be sculpted.  A clay model exists and is described as stunning.

It will replace the old statue that stood there for so long, but was the victim of many mishaps, the latest in April 2018 when a car lost control and  plowed through part of the fencing around it.

--RoadDog

Along 66, November 2020: Joliet's Chicago Street Reopens and Oklahoma's New 66 Signage

NOVEMBER 19

Joliet officially reopens Chicago Street (on the city's original Route 66 alignment).  I am not sure why exactly it was closed, but it goes by the Rialto Square Theatre.

NOVEMBER 20

Oklahoma is getting new historic Route 66 signage.  Actually, it won't appear to be too different from what they already have.  Even better, though, they will be significantly adding to the numbers of signs.

To me driving Route 66 with the aide of these signs makes it a much more enjoyable thing.  Nothing worse getting to a spot where two roads diverge and you're not sure which one to take (like the poem said).

When we drove 66 end-to-end back in 2006 when we retired, we found that Illinois, Missouri and Oklahoma had by far the best directional signage.

--RoadDog

Along 66, November 2020: Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway and Paul Was Here (in 2008)

NOVEMBER 11

The Illinois Scenic Byway unveils its revamped website, mobile app and membership program.

NOVEMBER 17

New sign marks Paul McCartney's brief stop on Route 66 in Oklahoma on August 5, 2008.  That year, Paul and his future wife Nancy Shevell drove Route 66 in a 1989 Bronco.  This was on his 66th birthday, so Paul did 66 when he was 66.  We happened to be on Route 66 a short time after that and there was a lot of talk about and sightings that people were talking about.  

One place they stayed at was the Skirvin Hilton Hotel in OKC.

This gave us then idea to do this when we turned 66 and we did.

And, George Washington Did Not Sleep Here.  --RoadDidn't

Along the Lincoln Highway, July 2020: The Lincoln Motor Court-- Part 3: She Just Wanted to Remember

Although the terms "motel" and "motor court" are used interchangeably, the former was coined in 1926 (a combination of "motor" and "hotel") and is generally used to describe a single building of connected rooms whose doors face a common parking lot.

There are cost advantages to connecting the rooms; plumbing is more accessible, utilities are more efficient, and there are fewer outside walls to be maintained.  Also, you can get more rooms to the land.

But, people also discovered new technologies by staying at a motor court.

A lot of people experienced their "firsts" at the motor courts.  Firsts like linoleum flooring, wall-to-wall carpeting, box spring mattresses, electricity, plumbing and  central heat.  Even radio.

Owner Bob Altizer says that several times a week, people pull in and ask for a tour, which they are happy to give.  One time, a woman in her 90s and driving a Cadillac stopped by and asked to see Cabin #6.  She had stayed there on her honeymoon  right before her husband left to fight in World War II.

Bob said, "She just wanted to remember."

--RoadCourt

Along the Lincoln Highway, July 2020: Pennsylvania's Lincoln Motor Court-- Part 2: Heyday of Motor Courts

But in the wake of COVID-19 restrictions, businesses that once seemed quaint and outdated like drive-in theaters, carside  food service and motor courts, now may be in the position for a comeback.  And, that also applies to the old motels with outside room entry instead of  down a hall.

The article writer checked into the Lincoln Motor Court in late June of this year and was greeted by Bob Altizer behind a pandemic partition who slid the old fashioned metal key with plastic piece worn from years of use and with the words "Drop in any mailbox.  We guarantee  postage" stamp on it.

The Lincoln Motor Court was built in the 1940s which Bob calls the "Heyday of Motor Courts."  It was by no means the first motor court in the country, but might end up being the last at this rate.

In the early 1900s, as automobile travel became increasingly  affordable and popular, roads improved, people drove further, and the need for overnight lodging increased.  Farmers turned portions of their fields into campgrounds and some even built small rustic cabins -- sometimes called tourist homes -- to house travelers.

--RoadDog

Along the Lincoln Highway, July 2020: Pennsylvania's Lincoln Motor Court-- Part 1: One of the Last

From the July 24, 2020, Roadtrippers Magazine "The last surviving motor court on the Lincoln Highway is still  welcoming overnight guests" by Alexandra Charitan.

In the early 1980s, Debbie and Bob Altzier bought this motel without knowing anything about the hospitality industry.  You might say they learned the biz the hard way.  Up front and personal.

What they bought back then was a 12-small unit, free-standing motel in Bedford County, Pennsylvania.  When they bought it, there were  still at least a dozen motor courts operating in the  area.  Today, the Lincoln Motor Court is the last one.

It's a trip back in time.

USA Today recently had a 10 best Roadside Motels contest and the Lincoln Motor Court ended up #2.  Congratulations.  I've written about it and you can check it out by clicking on the Lincoln Motor Court Motel label below.

--RoadCourt

Along 66, November 2020: Red Cedar Inn's Neon Sign and Death of Barb Adkins

NOVEMBER 9

Restoration has been completed on the Red Cedar Inn's neon sign near Pacific, Missouri.  This is a project to the Route 66 Association of Missouri.

They had a ceremonial relighting on November 8.

The restaurant opened in 1932 in that neat rustic log cabin building and closed abruptly.  We had planned on eating there, but drove past it in 2002 and 2003.  By the time we got around to it, they were closed.

The city of Pacific is going to reopen it as a visitors center.  Looking forward to visiting the place.

NOVEMBER 11

Barb Adkins, manager of the Route 66 Cruising With Lincoln on 66 Visitors Center in Bloomington, Illinois, died at age 66.  She had previously worked many years for the city.

Sorry to hear that.  But we are so happy Bloomington-Normal has FINALLY become aware of their Route 66 heritage and she was a large part of that awakening.

Better Late Than Never.  --RoadDog

Along the Lincoln Highway, April 2020: Rochelle's Lincoln Highway Heritage Festival Canceled Because of You-Know-What and a Pot Palace in DeKalb

APRIL 28

The 2020 festival in Rochelle, Illinois, was canceled.  Safety, as you know.  This would have been the 23rd festival and is the first time in its history that it has been canceled.

But, dates have been set for 2021:  August 20, 21 and 22.  Always sad that these dates always conflict with nearby DeKalb's Corn Fest.

We've been to it several times.  Lots of fun and entertainment.

See Ya Next Year.

******************************

And, in unrelated Lincoln Highway News, in nearby DeKalb, Illinois, home of Northern Illinois University.

DeKalb has approved a second  pot shop, though it will be awhile before you can buy product.  It will be at the Junction  Shopping Center at 818 W. Lincoln Highway.   Hmmmn.  A pot shop at a college.  Now, who'd have figured.

Of course when we went there, we always had the rumors of marijuana growing wild along railroad tracks.  In the last several years, thanks to my World War II blog, I have found that there was some truth to those rumors. There was a thriving hemp industry in DeKalb County during the war.

--Old RoadHead

Crestline, Ohio

From the Historic Byway: The Ohio Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor:  "Crestline"

In the last post, I wrote about a presentation that was supposed to take place about Crestline's role in the Lincoln Highway earlier this year.

Crestline is located east of  Bucyrus and has a population of around 5,000.  The Lincoln Highway originally went through the town of Galion, to the south of Crestline, but as I found out in the last post, Crestline decided they wanted the highway more and did what they had to do to get it.

Crestline has been on the LH since 1921.

Crestline came into being as a major railroad center in 1851, as the crossroad of the nation's four biggest railroads.  However, things went south by the 1970s with the decline of the railroads, as did the city somewhat.

THINGS TO SEE:

**  Crestline Shunk Museum

**  Two Lincoln Highway brick pillars.  One honoring Bement and the other McMahon.

**  Holcker Hardware in business since the late 1800s.

**  Hunger Paynes Restaurant and Just Jokin' Bar and Grill**  Ice cream and sandwich stands open during the summer.

--RoadShunk

Along the Lincoln Highway, March 2020: Crestline, Ohio, Wants On Lincoln Highway

MARCH 12, 2020

From the Crestline Source "A centennial celebration of Lincoln Highway program set for March 26."

Wonder if they had it?  Kind of doubt it with the you-know-what.

The first of a quarterly Living History series will be presented at the Crestline, Ohio,  Historical Society and Museum on March 26 at 7 pm.

The inaugural program is titles "The Lincoln Highway: A Centennial Celebration of Crestline's Stretch of Main Street America" will be presented by Bill Fisher.

After missing out on the Lincoln Highway's first route through Crawford County, Crestline rolled out the welcome mat in 1920.  Come and learn how Crestline  adapted to the coast-to-coast excitement and travelers.

The Crestline Historical Society and Museum is located  at 400 Scott Street, Crestline.  This is a free event and refreshments will be provided.

*************************

I don't know about you, but I sure miss my history meetings.

--RoadDog

Along 66, November 2020: Cleanup Work at the Shamrock Court in Sullivan

NOVEMBER 9  

Volunteer crew does repairs, cleaning on Shamrock Court in Sullivan, Missouri.  The Route 66 Association of Missouri spent a weekend working at the long-closed old motel on the west end of Sullivan.  Most of the work was done on the subflooring in the old office.

The motel is made of that wonderful giraffe stone so identified with the Ozarks and was owned by the Weiland family for over 60 years., since 1953.  They bought it from Freeman Dodds.  It was built in 1948 and consists of ten units.

If you want to buy a real piece of Route 66 Americana, the asking price is $125,000.

Buy It.  --RoadSham

Along 66, November 2020: Death of Lowell Davis

NOVEMBER 2

Lowell Davis, creator of Red Oak II and many folk art masterpieces has died at age 83.

He is known as "The Norman Rockwell of Rural Arts."

I was only familiar with his Red Oak II where he recreated his childhood town outside of Carthage, Missouri and his wonderful and intricate large metal sculptures scattered around Carthage.  But, I see he also did paintings and small figurines.

Liz and I were lucky enough to meet him (and his ever-present pipe) at the Boots Court motel back in 2017 when we did our "Route 66 Cruise When We're 66" tour.  We were staying at the Boots and Lowell and crew were putting the finishing touches and his latest creation "Welcome to Carthage" right next to the Boots.  This is the one which has a real automobile with cop hiding behind the sign.

We had a nice talk with him sitting out on those famous metal chairs in front of the Boots.  And, as we were told, he kept that pipe either in his mouth or nearby.  Anyone coming up for a photo and he would quickly grab it and insert in his mouth.

He will be missed.  He was one of those characters who make Route 66 so much fun.

--RoadDog

That Last Post Was #6,000

I just happened to notice that the last post I made was the 6,000th one on this blog.  This was my very first blog and started it on April 25, 2007.

I was coming back from visiting my mom in North Carolina and was spending the night with my nephew and his wife, Andy and Andrea, in White House, Tennessee.  She is quite tech savvy and I had been thinking seriously about getting into the blog thing I kept hearing so much about.

She showed my how and that is when the blog started.  I wrote about being on Route 66 on my way down to North Carolina in the towns of Odell and Dwight. Illinois.  This first blog was and still is mostly about old roads and kindred stuff most of the time.

However, even with 6000 posts, this is not by biggest blog.  That is my second blog called Down Da Road I Go which has 7191 posts.  This blog started when I got back home in Illinois and couldn't get this blog to come up.  I eventually got this one up and decided to keep the new one and write about anything else I was interested in.

Since then, that blog has spawned six more blogs.  I am interested in way too many things.

I Need to get a Life.  --RoadTooMuch

So, What Do I Do On a Saturday, Non-Cruisin' Day, Here When It's Snowing

Not that we've been doing much cruisin' since March.  The farthest I have been away from the house is about 25 miles.  If I'm going somewhere I want to have all the fun I can have, and you just can't these days.

So what do I do besides these crummy blogs which take up WAY TOO MUCH of my time?

Well, right now, I'm sittin' here a typin' away with my two little fingers and making posts.  And I am listening to both the radio and a radio station on the internet.

This morning, I started with Bill St. James' Time Warp on Chicago's WDRV, 97.1 FM which takes you back to the 60s-80s from 6 to 10 am CST.

Right now, I am listening to WXRT's Saturday Morning Flashback from 9 to noon.  Each week they feature the music and events of one year.  Obviously I enjoy it the most when they are in the 60s and 70s.  My era.  This morning they are in 1967, definitely one of my favorite years.  I miss my 1967 Firebird convertible and 1967 Pontiac Tempest.  A great high school year.

They just played the Moody Blues "Knights in White Satin", Peter, Paul & Mary's "I Dig Rock and Roll Music" "Pushing Too Hard" by the Seeds and "Little Wing" by Jimi Hendrix.

Right now I am multi-listening as I also have WVCO, 94.9 FM, the Surf on as they are having the Beach Music Countdown.  Beach Music is one of my favorite kinds of music.  

All these stations stream.

Love My Music.  --RoadSong

The Story of How the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Began

From the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) site.

Sure missed going to the show this year.  I have been going to the last 8 or 9 Indy 500s with friends and, let me tell you, this is one real fun party.  Good times for all and we sure had them.  We normally go from Thursday and come back on Monday.  Alas, no Indy 500 this year.  Hopefully next year.

I never ever thought I'd be interested in any kind of auto racing, even though I'm originally from North Carolina.  But when my friends said they had an opening for one person to go to Speedway, Indiana (the IMS is actually in Speedway, not Indianapolis) and stay in their RV across from the track, that was too good of an opportunity to pass up.

Anyway, the IMS owes its existence partially to one Carl Fisher, who was the man behind the Lincoln Highway, Dixie Highway and Miami Beach.  To say Carl never did anything small is an understatement.

By the way. our seats are called the catwalk, all the way up at the top of the south stands, about where the man's right hand is in the picture.

Maybe Next Year.  --RoadSpeed

Along 66, November 2020: Lou Mitchell's Closes Because of the Virus and New "Cars" Stuff Coming

NOVEMBER 2

Lou Mitchell's in Chicago has closed indefinitely due to that virus thing.  

It has been the starting or ending point of any transcontinental Route 66 trip forever.

The restaurant says it is only their second closure in 98 years.

No more of that good coffee and love the fresh-baked items with their homemade marmalade.

NOVEMBER 5

"Cars: The Series" will be on the Disney + streaming service, apparently for next year.

However, this has not been officially announced by Disney.

When the original movie came out and I heard it was about Route 66, I was excited, but when I learned it was to be animated, I was greatly disappointed.  But, I went to see it anyway and must admit that movie went a long way toward getting me hooked on animated movies.

"Cars"  Me.  --RoadCar

Stealing Stuff from Vehicles in 1920

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

1920, 100 Years Ago.

"William Pooler of Carlton was the only person to report to the police station that anything had been stolen yesterday during the celebration.   He left his automobile standing out in front of a house on the corner of Third and Franklin  streets, while he went uptown.  

"When he returned he found that someone had taken his spare tire,  his blanket and several other articles of value.  He immediately notified the police and gave a good description of the property.  The police are on the lookout but it is doubtful if the thieves will be apprehended."

Not sure what the celebration was.  Probably Labor Day.

--RoadIDidn'tTakeIt

Why Remember Pearl Harbor?

From the December 6, 2020,  LimaOhio.com "Jim Krumel:  Remembering a Pearl Harbor survivor" by Jim Krumel.

I wrote about the first part of the column in my Running the Blockade:  Civil War Navy blog.

Every December 7,  I stop writing about all subjects in my eight blogs and concentrate on Pearl Harbor.  I also put up flags.  No one else in our neighborhood puts up flags for this date.  Some of them (they're in their 30s and 40s, might very well not know the significance of this day in U.S. history.

Wayne Rader was at there December 7, 1941, at Schofield Barracks on Oahu, which was also attacked.  For years afterwards, he wouldn't talk about it.

"We can't let people forget... you can't let them forget," he would say, often with tears in his eyes.  America was taught a lesson that day in a sneaky, cruel way.  So many young men and women came into harm's way that day.  One of those who died  was Frederick DeLong of Cridersville.  He was just 29 years old.

The United States had been caught off guard that day.  It was a lesson we were served again on September 11, 2001.

Years from now, today's high school seniors will be telling stories about going to school during the coronavirus.  You won't hear them talking about 9/11 -- they weren't even born then.  And, unless they have had a good history teacher -- or just a history class -- they may not be able to tell you the significance of Pearl Harbor.

We cannot let them forget.  You cannot let them forget.

When I taught school, we had a several day unit on Pearl Harbor (even though I just had U.S. history up to the Civil War).

--Pearl Harbor

A New Danger on the Cement Road in 1920: That Black & White Critter

From the December 2, 2020, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1920, 100 Years Ago. 

"A number of motorists have been held up while traveling on the cement roads lately, but the new highwayman does not attempt to take valuables from the drivers.

"The offender is a small black creature with a bushy tail and is commonly known as a skunk.  When this animal is in the middle of the cement it has the right of way all to himself and no one cares to pass until the offender has left the road."

Try not to hit the skunk.

They are still a problem.  I'd like to know who keeps hitting them.  As bad as driving down the roadafter a farmer has used manure on their fields.  

Smell That Dairy Air.  --RoadSmell

A Big Mud Puddle in Malta (Illinois) in 1920: Rain, Rain Go Away

From the December 2, 2020, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1920, 100 Years Ago.

"But very few automobilers were in Malta yesterday because of the bad condition of the roads and most of the people coming in used  the 'old reliable,' the horse and buggy.  

"In fair weather the roads in this section are in fine shape but with the appearance of rain they take on the aspect of mud puddles."

Another reason those hard surface Lincoln Highway was needed.

--RoadMud

People Speeding On the New Cement Road (Lincoln Highway) in 1920

From the December 2, 2020 MidWeek  (DeKalb County, Illinois)  "Looking Back."

1920, 100 Years Ago

"Motorists are becoming quite civilized in the way of driving lately and no reports have been received by  by the local police for some time concerning speeders.

"Even on the cement road at night but very few cars pass each other at a greater rate of speed than  15 miles an hour which is a fine thing as this will cut down on the number of accidents by half."

The cement road most likely refers to the stretch of Lincoln Highway between DeKalb and Malta.  Work had just been completed on it earlier in the fall.  So people were speeding even back then.

There was already a one-mile-long seedling mile paved west of Malta which was done in 1914.  Seedling miles were paved every so often along the Lincoln to show people what a joy driving on a hard road would be compared to dirt roads after it rained.

Even with the seedling mile, the rest of that stretch from DeKalb to Malta (and then on to Creston) evidently had not been paved.

--RoadSpeeder

Along 66, November 2020: Where I Get the Info and Lowell Davis & His Red Oaks II

I take these stories from the Route 66 News blog site.  I have my own Route 66 alerts but don't use them because of this site.  However, I don't use every article from it (even though there is at least one every day), I use just the ones of most interest to me and make comments on them.  However, I am usually at least a month behind.

But, if you want to really know what is going on on the Mother Road, check out the site.

NOVEMBER 1

Train planned for Red Oak II complex near Carthage, Missouri.  It will be a rideable train.

Red Oak II is the brainchild of folk artist Lowell Davis, one of those interesting characters you meet along Route 66.  Among other full size items in it are a Phillips 66 station, an old schoolhouse, a blacksmith shop, feed store, general store and several houses along with his really interesting art work.

We were fortunate enough to meet him when he was putting up his Welcome to Carthage sign by the Boots Court Motel several years back.  We were staying at the Boots.

So, the Boots and Lowell.  How Much 66 Can You Get?   --RoadDavis

Along 66, October 2020: Build Me a Bronco and the Mayor of Uranus Muffler Guy

OCTOBER 26

A factory that rebuilds vintage Ford Broncos is located in the Route 66 town of Hamel, Illinois.  (Weezy's!!!)  They take vintage 1966-1977 Bronco bodies and essentially rebuild everything from ground up and make it even better than original.  Or, they will just build one for you evidently.

They are called Gateway Broncos.

But, they sure "ain't cheap.  They cost between $150,000 and $300,000!!

They have a FaceBook and internet site.

***********************

OCTOBER 29

A Muffler Man statue is planned for the Uranus, Missouri complex near St. Robert.  It will be made in Louie Keen's image.  he is the self-proclaimed "Mayor of the Uranus Complex."

--RoadDog

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!

*************************************

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.

******************************************

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.

************************************

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

Along 66, August 2020: Brookshire Burns Again, 1000 More Sites and the Launching Pad Closes Until Spring 2021

AUGUST 20-- Brookshire Motel in Tulsa, Oklahoma, set afire again.  This was the fourth time in recent years.  The long-vacant place needs to be torn down, but hopefully someone will save the old sign.

AUGUST 21--  Jim Hinckley adds another 1,000 descriptions of sites to the Route 66 navigator Strip.

When you are approximately 200 meters of the site, you will be alerted.   Something I do not have.

AUGUST 23-- The Launching Pad Drive In in Wilmington, Illinois, will remain closed until the spring of 2021 because of the you-know-what.   But the Gemini Giant remains standing outside.

Sad to hear, but Liz and I aren't going on 66 until this is over anyway.

--RoadDog

Along 66, August 2020: Frank Yellowhorse Dies, Naughty Rihanna, at the Tulsa Neon Sign Park

AUGUST 16--  Frank Yellowhorse, longtime operator of Chief Yellowhorse Trading Post has died at age 87.  He was a member of the Navajo Nation and the post was located at Lupton, Arizona, near the New Mexico border.

An integral part of the Route 66 lore.

AUGUST 18--  Cadillac Ranch goes political in this intense election year.  Pop star Rihanna spraypainted the message "F*** Trump" on one of the Caddies.  Trump supporters then replied to her, not just one one car, but all of them.

Very adult of you, Rihanna.

AUGUST 19--  The Route 66 Neon Sign Park is taking shape in Tulsa, Oklahoma  There are three replicas of classic neon signs installed so far:  Will Rogers Motor Court, Oil Capital Motel and the Tulsa Auto Court.  They are located in a small park at the south end of then historic 11th Street Bridge which once carried 66 traffic over the Arkansas River.

We can always use more neon anything, especially large neon signs like these.  Way to go, Tulsa.

Lighting Up the Night in Tulsa.  --RoadNeon

Along 66, August 2020: The Illinois RnR Museum and Motorheads

AUGUST 13--  The future home of the Illinois Rock and Roll Museum on Route 66 in Joliet, Illinois, was given landmark status.  It is at 9 Cass Street and was originally a White store and later a Goldblatt's

It has also been several other stores during its life.

So far, no opening date for the museum has been set.

We can always use another museum on 66, especially one about rock and roll (and especially those great 1960s Chicago bands like New Colony Six, Shadows of Knight, Cryan' Shames and Buckinghams.

AUGUST 15--    The world's largest Route 66 sign at Motorheads in Springfield, Illinois, is now up.  Just one more reason to check this place out.  We went there just a few days after it opened.  Later, we had a great time watching the St. Louis Blues win the 2019 Stanley Cup there with a whole bunch of Blues fans.

Springfield is torn between Chicago and St. Louis sports.

--RoadBluesRock

The Other Haunted Place on Route 66, and This is a Whole Road: Route 666

ROUTE 666

U.S. Route 491, formerly known as U.S. Highway 666, was known as the "Devil's Highway" because of the number and a fairly large number of fatalities along its route in New Mexico.

Some drivers have reported being chased by hellhounds -- supernatural canines that represent death in some cultures -- or seeing a ghostly semitruck on fire according to Commercial Truck Trader.

Don't Know That I Would Be Driving It Myself.  --TooScaredDog

Route 66 Has Two Places on Ten Most Haunted U.S. Roads

From the October 20, 2020, Travel and Leisure site "10 haunted roads in the US for ghosts, supernatural creatures and UFO sightings" by Elizabeth Rhodes.

Well.  BOO!!   Just in time for Halloween.

Two of them are on our Route 66 and here they are:

ROUTE 66 VILLA RIDGE, MISSOURI

The Tri-County Truck Stop in Villa Ridge has been abandoned for years except for ghost hunters visiting in hopes of encountering the paranormal.  

According to Commercial Truck Trader, "Visiting  mediums have suggested that the  truck stop is a portal to the other side of eternity, where souls reenter our world and attach their spirits to truckers whom they might possess to drive them home.

And, Liz and I were able to eat there before it closed.  (Might a ghost have been sitting with us?)

So, Where Is the Other Spooky 66?  --RoadBoo

In Case You're Wondering What the Ten Best Roadside Motels Are

 The USA Today newspaper just concluded their contest to choose the 10 Best Roadside Motels.  People were able to vote from a list of twenty motels (see my October   posts for the complete list) and Friday they announced the winners.  Three of the motels were on Route 66 and one was on the Lincoln Highway.

Here is the list of the Top Ten Motels:

1.  Coachman Motel in South Lake Tahoe, California

2.  Lincoln Motor Court in McMann's Choice, Pennsylvania (or is it McManns Choice?)

3.  The Sunset Motel in Brevard, North Carolina

4.  Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, Arizona

5.  Roadrunner Lodge, Tucumcari, New Mexico

6.  The Vagabond Motel in Miami

7.  Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, New Mexico

8.  Hotel Palms in Atlantic Beach, Florida

9.  Astro Motel in Santa Rosa, California

10.  Sandman in Santa Rosa, California

But, Wait, Munger-Moss, Boots Court and the Wagon Wheel weren't even in the original twenty.  

Something Wrong Here.  --RoadMoss

Route 66 Ranks Three in USA Today's Ten Best Roadside Motels Contest, Lincoln Highway Has One

The voting is over in the USA Today's contest to determine the Ten Best Roadside Motels.  The voting started with a total of twenty motels and people were able to vote online.

ROUTE 66 MOTELS

#4  Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, Arizona

#5  Roadrunner Lodge in Tucumcari, New Mexico

#7  Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari

LINCOLN HIGHWAY 

#2   Lincoln Motor Court in Mann's Choice, Pennsylvania

Way to Go Old Roads.  --RoadMotel

Along 66, August 2020: Route 66 Centennial Bill Goes to the House and the Giant Rt. 66 Sign in Springfield, Illinois

AUGUST 11--  The U.S. Senate has advanced the Route 66 Centennial bill, but it must be reconciled in the U.S. House of representatives before it goes to President trump for his signature.   Go Bill.  Go Bill!!

AUGUST 12--  Route 66 Motor Heads will dedicate the "World's Largest Route 66 Sign on Friday.

And this one is a big one.  It is mounted on two sixty-foot poles that once held a Stuckey's sign.  The bar and grille is in a former Stuckey's and is located at 600 Toronto Road.  You can get off I-55 south of Springfield, Illinois, then go just a short distance west and you're there.

Ace Sign Company is making this huge sign.  They have also restored the old Sonrise Donuts sign and the Bel Air Motel's sputnik sign in Springfield as well as the Art's Motel sign in Farmerville and the Tropics sign in Lincoln.

Two great new organizations that we have on the Mother Road, both dedicated to the preservation and furthering of all things fun and enjoyable on 66.

Great Job, Guys!!  --RoadDog

Along 66, August 2020: Steak 'N Shake, Totem Pole Park and Oklahoma Rt. 66 Museum

AUGUST 9--  Steak 'N Shake using Route 66 shirts with the revival of their carhop service.  Just the thing for these virus times.  After all, the chain started in Illinois on Route 66.  Founded by Gus Belt in Normal, Illinois,  in 1934.

AUGUST 10--  Celebration set for Saturday for completing of Totem Pole Park restoration.  That restoration has been going on for five years now.  A lot of work has been done on the 90-foot tall totem pole at Ed Galloway's near Foyil, Oklahoma.

There will also be a free bluegrass concert at the festivities.  

Always a worthy several mile detour off Route 66 if you are in the area.

AUGUST 11--  The Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton will be marking its 25th anniversary.  They claim to be the largest more museums.

--RoadDog

Along 66, August 2020: Palms Grill Closes and Burro Removal in Arizona (Oatman)

AUGUST 3--  The Effects of COVID-19 closes Palms Grill Cafe in Atlanta, Illinois.   It closed on Sunday and is owned by the Atlanta Public Library who hope that anew management team will take over running the place.

They have had three operators in the ten years it has been open.  Hopefully it will reopen again soon as it is a real trip back into time.  We ate there last year when we found that another one of our favorite places in nearby Lincoln, the Bonanza Sirloin Pit, had closed.  

We're still sad about that as their food was great and then there were those fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies and huge rolls.  They used to brag that "Our Rolls Are Too Good to Be Throwed" as a knock at some other place.

AUGUST 5--  A car show fundraiser for the Route 66 Museum in Victorville, California, raised $16,000.

AUGUST 7--  One thousand wild burros will soon be removed from Arizona's Black Magic Mountain Range.

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management says the burros have overpopulated and damage the range.  Of course, we are also talking about Oatman's famed little beggars (well, DEMANDERS I should say).

They will be put up for adoption, so if you ever wanted a spoiled little semi wild burro, now's your chance.  Those not adopted will be put up at an off-range facility.

These burros are the descendants of burros used in the old gold mines a century ago.  When the mines closed, the burros were turned loose.  They overpopulated because they have no natural predators.

And, as we all know, they roam the streets of Oatman and are a huge tourist draw.  Hopefully, they will keep some of the Oatman burros.

Just Don't Figure You're Going to Get By Without Feeding Them.  --RoadBurro

Happy 15th Anniversary to the Route 66 News Blog

I am jumping ahead to this.  I am usually at least a month behind the posts on the Route 66 News blog.  Lately, I've been much further behind.

From the October 9, 2020, Route 66 News site.

This blog, as far as I am concerned, the BEST blog out there for Route 66, started on this date back 15 years ago by Ron Warnick.  As you know, this is the basis of my Along 66 items.  I used to have e-mail alerts to Route 66 that I used, but why go anywhere else when you have this great "Clearinghouse" of information.  If there is anything you want to know about what is currently happening along the Mother Road this is where you want to go.

In a few weeks, Ron figures to have his 10,000th post.

His most popular post so far was "A Route 66 Guide to the Cars Movie."  If you are a "Cars" movie fan, you will want to read this as it tells you what everything in the movie was based on.

Mr. Warnick says he started Route 66 News as a way to keep happenings along the road more timely.  Most Route 66 magazines are published quarterly so information was old even when they first hit the news stands.

His initial goal was to print at least one story a day and he often has more than one story a day.

Like his masthead says, Route 66 News is "A clearinghouse of news and events along historic Route 66, the Mother Road."

Also, this was my first blog of way too many and started on April 26, 2006, so it is now 14 years old.

Job Well Done Ron Warnick.   Keep It Up!!  --RoadDog

Along 66, August 2020: Dave Clark's Route 66 in Chicago Zooms

These come from the Route 66 News site which is now celebrating its 15th year of service providing up-to-date news about our favorite road, the good ol' Mother Road.

There is at least one current story every day on it, and often, more than one.  I just pick out the stories of most interest to me (which means Illinois and Missouri especially) and I write some of what was in the Route 66 News post and sometimes have a comment on it. They also have videos and pictures.

So, if you're looking for the best up-to-date information on the Mother Road, this is where you want to go.

*********************************************

AUGUST 1--  David Clarks Zoom video conferences titled "Route 66 in Chicago:  Where the Road Begins" will be on August 6 (well, too late now).  It will be a virtual tour of the road in Chicago.

He will host another Zoom video event September 6, "Diners, Snake Pits & Long-Haul Trucking:  The Commerce of Route 66.  There will be future episodes on Al Capone and Frank Lloyd Wright.  All scheduled for the sixth of the month.

Dave Clark calls himself the Windy City warrior and has written three books and written dozens of articles.  He does Zoom as well as walking and driving tours and his website is at Windy City Road Warrior.com

I would seriously doubt that anyone knows more about Route 66 in the Chicagoland area than Dave.  I have seen talks by him as well as once took a walking tour with him that was very informative.  Just be forewarned, though, Dave walks very, very fast.

--RoadDog

Along 66: Bringing Back those Old Motels, the Blue Whale's New Owners, Chicago's Central Camera and the Monterrey Motel

JULY 27--  The older motels where entrance is from the outside as opposed to down a hall are becoming popular during these coronavirus days.  You can go straight to your room and be outside after checking in.  makes sense to me.

JULY 27--  The City of Catoosa, Oklahoma, has purchased the Blue Whale property for $1.5 million.  Glad to see that happened.  That guarantees that we will still have it as it is a real neat place to see and visit.  Real oddball.

JULY 29--  Central Camera in Chicago is set to reopen in a storefront next door in September.  It was severely damaged and looted during the BLM riots earlier in the year.

JULY 31--  Monterrey Motel renovations in Albuquerque, New Mexico,  should be finished by September.  It will be turned into a higher-end hostel/boutique motel, complete with a tap room.  I always like it when a motel/hotel has a restaurant/bar attached to it.  Then you can have your cocktails and not worry about getting back to your room.

--RoadDog

Or, Is It Manns Choice? Either Way, It's An Interesting Name (and We Know It has a Neat Old Motor Court)

Continued from Wikipedia.

Just how did it get its rather interesting name?

In 1848, Pennsylvania Congressman Job Mann pressured for a post office in an unnamed  village in Harrison Township in Bedford County.  The Post Office Department approved a new post office for the village but since it didn't have a name, Congressman Mann was to give it one.

But, before he was able to do that, postal maps were made with the temporary designation of "Mann's Choice" written on them.

The name was never changed and became the permanent one.

Mann's Choice or Manns Choice, You decide.

So, Now You Know What You've been Wondering for a Long Time.  --RoadMann?

Along 66. July 2020: Ted Drewes Closes (Temporarily), The Mill Closes and David Leong Dies

JULY 17--  The Ted Drewes locations in St. Louis closed temporarily after a worker got COVID-19 virus.  Oh no.  No Concretes!!!  Well, at least for a short time.

JULY 18--  The Mill Museum in Lincoln, Illinois, is closing down for the rest of 2020.  The reasons are the impact of the virus and needed repairs.  The Lincoln City Council will decide if they will put $15,000 from the hotel taxes toward the Mill.

It opened in 1929 and in 2006 efforts really began to restore it.  The first time we saw it was in 2002 and it was looking pretty bad.

Sadly, the place in the downtown square which used to serve the schnitzel the Mill was famous for has closed as well.  Now let's hope some restaurant starts serving it.

JULY 24--  The inventor of Springfield cashew chicken has died at age 99.  David Leong fled China in 1938 when the Japanese took over and immigrated to the United States and joined the U.S. Army.  He stormed ashore in Normandy on D-Day.

This is the first I have ever heard of Springfield cashew chicken but will certainly be on the list of places to eat at the next time we go there.

--RoadChicken

Mann's Choice, Just the Place for Us Civil War Buffs

I looked up how far Mann's Choice was from Gettysburg and Sharpsburg (Battle of Antietam) and found out it was 88 miles northwest of  of Gettysburg and 88 miles north of Sharpsburg.

Sharpsburg is 18 miles north of Harpers Ferry, so lots of Civil War history in this year.  And this place is near the Battle of South Mountain.

So, I can see staying at the Lincoln Motor Court and using this as my base of operations for the battle sites.

--RoadCivil

Where the Heck Is Mann's Choice, Pennsylvania? What the Heck is a Mann's Choice, Pennsylvania?

In several posts this month so far, I have written about the Best Top Ten Roadside Motel contest that USA Today is running.

One of the motels I voted for was the Lincoln Motor Court on the Lincoln Highway in Pennsylvania.  Looks like an interesting place to stay with the old unattached cottages.

It was listed as being in Mann's Choice, Pennsylvania.  Well, right away, I thought to myself, Mann's Choice, Pennsylvania.  What is with that town name?  Definitely strange indeed.

So, a short trip to Wikipedia was in the cards.

There really is a town called Mann's Choice in Pennsylvania.

It is in Bedford County and the 2010 census had the population at a booming 300!!

Mighty Big City.  --RoadChoice

Too Late to Vote for Best Roadside Motel Now, But...

Voting ended for the USA Today's 10 Best Roadside Motels today at noon.  Hopefully you got your voes in.  I split my votes over the voting period between our three Route 66 motels and the Lincoln Highway motel.

Winners will be announced October 23.

Good Luck to Us.  --Road66LH

Just One Day Left to Vote on Best Roadside Motel

 I cast my vote earlier today.  

Today is the last day to vote for your favorite roadside motel.  I am sure all of them are great experiences, but I am kind of prone to favor the ones on Route 66 and the Lincoln Highway for some reason.

The last i saw (they are not printing the top ten vote-getters anymore so the winner will be a surprise), but the last I saw, we had the three Route 66 and one Lincoln Highway motels in the Top Ten.

Again, the Route 66 and Lincoln Highway motels:

Wigwam Motel--  Holbrook, Arizona

Road Runner Lodge--  Tucumcari, New Mexico

Blue Swallow Motel--  Tucumcari, New Mexico

Lincoln Motor Court--  Mann's Choice, Pennsylvania

And, You Vote Via Internet. No Mailing Worries.   --RoadVote

Along 66, July 2020: New Owners for the Blue Swallow Motel and New Owners of Historic Route 66 Website

 JULY 11--  Blue Swallow Motel announced that they have new owners.  Robert and Dawn Federics from Crystal Lake, Illinois, bought it from Kevin and Nancy Mueller who initially offered it at the price of $1.2 million.

It was built in 1939 by W.A. Huggins and the famous neon sign was erected in the 1950s.  Lillian Redman owned the motel for more than 40 years.

The renaissance of the motel began when Dale and Hilda Bakke bought it.

We have been fortunate enough to spend a night there and enjoyed cocktails out by Route 66 while enjoying watching the cars go by, that great Blue Swallow neon sign and the neon sign of the Tepee Curios place.

JULY 15--  Route 66 Navigation Principals take over ownership of the Historic Route 66 website from Swa Frantzen and Nadine Pelicaen.

This was a very helpful website in our early days of driving the Mother Road.

--RoadDog

Just Four Days Left to Vote for USA Today's 10 Best Roadside Motels

 I cast my vote today.

See Oct 1, 4 and 5 posts for complete list of twenty motels in the contest and a recent Top Ten standings.  There are still three Route 66 and one Lincoln Highway motels in the running.  All were in the top ten the last time I looked.

So make your vote and you don't even have to do it by mail.

Ain't that great?

--RoadVote

Edwardsville Is County Seat of Madison County, Illinois

In September, I wrote about people in Edwardsville, Illinois, who wanted the statue of Ninian Edwards, for whom the town was named, removed because of his being a slave owner.  Edwardsville is in Madison County, which has quite a bit of history.

From the Madison County site.

Madison County was established and named after President James Madison in September 1812.   The county seat and third oldest city in Illinois is Edwardsville.

The county's rich history includes the departure point  of William Clark and his troops from Camp Dubois (in present-day Wood River), to join Meriwether Lewis in 1804.  That was the famed Lewis and Clark Expedition to explore the newly acquired Louisiana Purchase lands.

One of the Lincoln-Douglas debates took place in Alton in 1858.  The "Gentle Giant,"  Robert Wadlow grew up in Alton as well.   He stood 8 feet 11 inches tall.  Also, Paul Simon, famed for his ever-present bowtie, who served in the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate from 1975 to 1997 lived in Troy for 25 years. 

For you Route 66ers, the Chain of Rocks Bridge is in Madison and St. Clair counties.

--RoadBridge

Canada's Swastika Trail

From the November 26, 2017, Jewish Telegraphic Agency "Embarrassed  residents of 'Swastika Trail' push to rename Canadian street"

Two couples have petitioned a Jewish advocacy group to get the name renamed from their street in Puslinch Township, 50 miles west of Toronto.

Many, of course, see it as a symbol of the Nazis.

But residents of the street voted on the issue earlier this month and decided to let the name remain.  The street was named in 1920s as an ancient symbol meaning life and good work and the fact that it was adopted by the Nazis should not cause it to be removed.

--RoadDog

These Are USA Today's Top Ten Best Roadside Voting So Far

There are twenty nominees and these are in the lead for Best Roadside Motel so far:

1.  Coachman Hotel in South Lake Tahoe, California 

2.  Lincoln Motor Court in Mann's Choice, Pennsylvania

3.  Sunset Motel in Brevard, North Carolina

4.  Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, Arizona

5.  Roadrunner Lodge in Tucumcari, New Mexico

6.  Vagabond Hotel in Miami, Florida

7.  Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, New Mexico

8.  Hotel Palms in Atlantic Beach, Florida

9.  Dog Bark Park Inn in Cottonwood, Idaho

10.  Astro Motel in Santa Rosa, California

There are still seven days left to vote.  And, of course, you can do it online.

--RoadVoter

Illinois' Swastika Trail-- Part 5

RootDig.com

Michael John Neill's genealogy website.

He was looking at the Illinois Highway Maps collection in the Illinois Digital Archives collection. (he also has a place where you can go to it, very interesting).He looked at a 1922 map and noticed there were no numbers on the roads, this being the era of named roads and all.

He was surprised to see one named Swastika Trail near the Quad Cities area.  This brought quite the thought into his head, as it did with me when I first saw it.

Today it is Illinois Highway 17.  This map shows it starting in Galva, Illinois, and running west through Woodhull, Alphi, Viola, Aledo, Joy, New Boston and entering Iowa and going a short distance to Wapello.

Along with the name, a swastika symbol is show, only backwards to the one the Nazi used.

--RoadDog

USA Today's Best 10 Roadside Motels 2020 Voting-- Part 2: Wigwams and Roadrunners

 The other ten motel nominees:

11.  Lincolnville Motel in Lincolnville, Maine

12.  The Modern Hotel and Bar in Boise, Idaho

13.  Old Santa Fe Inn in Santa Fe, New Mexico

14.  Roadrunner Lodge in Tucumcari, New Mexico

15.  The Sandman in Santa Rosa, California

16.  The Sunset Motel in Brevard, North Carolina

17.  Tourists in North Adams, Massachusetts

18.  Unscripted Durham in Durham, North Carolina

19.  The Vagabond Motel in Miami, Florida

20.  Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, Arizona

Remember, voting for these go on for another eight days so get votin'.

Is This Voting By Mail?  --RoadTel

USA Today's 2020 10 Best Roadside Motels Voting Is Underway for 11 More Days-- Part 1: Ten of the Nominees

There are 20 nominees to choose from.  Two of them (just two) are from Route 66 and one is from the Lincoln Highway.  Sadly, four of my favorite Missouri Route 66 places are not on it:  Munger Moss in Lebanon, Wagon Wheel in Cuba, Boots Motel in Carthage and Rail Haven in Springfield are not on the list.  What gives there?

You can go to the site and vote.

Here are the nominees and location"

1.  Amigo Motor Lodge in Salida, Colorado

2.  Astro Motel in Santa Rosa, California

3.  Austin Motel in Austin, Texas

4.  Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, New Mexico

5.  Cadillac Motel in Niagara Falls, Ontario

6.  Calistoga Motor Lodge & Spa in Calistoga, California

7.  Coachman Hotel in South Lake Tahoe, California

8.  Dog Bark Park Inn in Cottonwood, Idaho

9.  Hotel Palms in Atlantic Beach, Florida

10.  Lincoln Motor Court in Mann's Choice, Pennsylvania

I'll do the last ten tomorrow.  But, in the meantime, go to the site and vote.

Well, actually, there are three Route 66 motels.  The third one is the Roadrunner Lodge, also in Tucumcari, New Mexico.

Especially For Our Motels.  --RoadVoter

Swastika Trail-- Part 4: Now Associated With Nazis, But Once a Good Luck Symbol

The Iowa DOT included a Note:

When this route was designated, the swatika symbol was recognized for its attributes as a charm or amulet, as a sign of benediction, blessing, long life, good luck, and good fortune.  The swastika symbol was popular in the United States prior to 1920, when it was appropriated as a Nazi symbol and later associated with the Third Reich during World War II.

The symbol remains visible on numerous historic buildings, including sites that are listed on the NRHP.  It also is on tiles, lampposts, metal valves tools, surf boards,  stock certificates, brand names, place names, medals, commercial tokens, postcards,  souvenirs, rugs and clothing.

My wife had a friend when she was growing up in Chicago who lived in a building with a row od swastikas near the top of it.

--RoadDog

Iowa's Swastika Trail-- Part 3: Across Iowa?

From the Iowa Department of Transportation.

SWASTIKA TRAIL

TERMINI:

West:  Nebraska City, Nebraska
East:  Keokuk, Iowa

CITIES ALONG THE ROUTE:

ILLINOIS:  Galva, Aledo,  and New Boston
IOWA:  Wapello

I have only seen it from Galva, Illinois to the Iowa border.  I am not sure that it went through Iowa.  With the two cities listed as termini, if it did, it would have been along the southern part of Iowa.

--RoadDog

Along 66, July 2020: Lurvey Courts Is No More, Springfield Route 66 Corridor, and a Cemetery

 JULY 7--  Sadly, Lurvey Courts in Springfield is being torn down, but, at least there is good news in the fact that one of the cabins will be saved for a planned Route 66 roadside park. The Missouri Route 66 Association put a  valiant and time-consuming effort to save the striking buildings, but you don't always win.

The cabins were built in 1928 by Burt and Irene Lurvey.

JULY 8--  Illinois gives $450,000 for the Springfield Route 66 Corridor.  This corridor of original Route 66 pavement goes along Peoria Road and the Ninth Street Corridor.

Always glad to see preservation projects like this.

JULY 10--  Twenty-nine gravestones were vandalized at the historic Hill Cemetery in Bourbon, Missouri.  This doesn't appear to be done by BLM.

The Missouri Route 66 Association (of which I am a member) Sure Did Everything They Could Don To save This Vintage Old Motor Court.  --RoadDog

Watch Those Cows Out on Stone Quarry Road in 1970

From the Feb. 19, 2020, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1970, 50 Years Ago.

"Cows in the road forced a Genoa driver to swerve into a ditch in the only accident reported to DeKalb County sheriff's office Wednesday.

"The accident  occurred on Stone Quarry Road near Cherry Valley Road.  Walter R. Barnes, 39, of Genoa, said he managed to dodge  the four or five cows, but the fenders and underside  of his car were damaged  when he was forced into the ditch."

I was wondering if this Stone Quarry was where they filmed the famed scene of the truck crash of Bill Murray and the groundhog into the quarry in the movie "Groundhog Day."

Turns Out It Wasn't.   --RoadDog

Going to College Back Then

Definitely a whole lot, I mean, a WHOLE lot more expensive to go to college these days.

Back when Liz and I went to school at Northern Illinois University, living in a dorm like Lincoln or Douglas Hall cost $500 a semester with meals.  We paid $250 a year tuition (both Liz and I had teaching scholarships for that price).

You were required to stay in a dorm freshman year and NIU picked your roommate.  In the dorm, there was two to a room and bathrooms were communal.  Those rooms were small.  We had bunk beds.  There were just a few outlets.  My roommate, Chuck Hartseil from Pekin, Illinois, had a 13-inch black and white TV which made us one of the more popular rooms on the floor as only one other room had a TV.  About half the rooms had a small stereo to play albums and 45s.

--RoadDog

Actually, Ninian Edwards Was Not the Founder of Edwardsville, Illinois. But, It Was Named After Him.

 On September 23 and 24, I posted about Edwardsville being founded by Ninian Edwards, the territorial  governor of Illinois at the time.  He was also the third governor of the state and one of the first two U.S. senators.  But, he did not found the city, but had it named after him.

Edwardsville was founded by Thomas Kirkpatrick who came in 1805 and laid out the community.  Ninian Edwards was his friend.

So, Now You Know.  --RoadNinian

20 Photos of Motels on Route 66 That Would Be Good Choices to Stay

From Feb. 9, 2020 The Travel  "Planning a Road Trip?  20 Photos of Motels That Look (Surprisingly) Cozy" by Bri Thomas.

All the motels have a retro vibe and comfortable rooms.  Text and some wonderful pictures also accompany the article.

**  Liz and I have stayed in these.  Staying at one of these places gives more credence to a Route 66 trip.  Much netter choice than one of the chains.

ROUTE 66 MOTEL  in Barstow, California

WIGWAM MOTELS San Bernardino, California and Holbrook, Arizona  (I stayed in the one in Cave City, Kentucky)

EL RANCHO MOTEL  in Gallup, New Mexico **

BLUE SWALLOW MOTEL in Tucumcai, New Mexico  **

BIG TEXAN MOTEL in Amarillo, Texas

CAMPBELL HOTEL in Tulsa, Oklahoma

BOOTS COURT MOTEL  in Carthage, Missouri  **

MUNGER MOSS MOTEL in Lebanon, Missouri  **

WAGON WHEEL MOTEL in Cuba, Missouri  **

ROUTE 66 HOTEL in Springfield, Illinois  **

--RoadDog

The Founder of Edwardsville, Illinois, at Center of Statue Debate-- Part 2: So, What Was His Big 'Crime?'

A FaceBook group has petitioned the City of Edwardsville to remove the statue of Ninian Edwards  and his name from the plaza where it sits.  His crime?  In this day and age you can probably guess it.

They argue that he owned slaves and used his power to protect its practice.

Well, the Confederate monuments are coming down in the wake of the George Floyd killing in Minneapolis.  George Floyd was never a slave, nor were his parents or great parents.

William Furry, executive director of the Illinois State Historical Society  said it was true that Edwards owned slaves when he came to Illinois Territory, but at the time, owning slaves was the law of the land.

"Edwards was a citizen of his times, just as we all are," said Furry.  Laws change, people change, social mores change.

Ridiculous.  --RoadDog

'Salty' Learns Valuable Lesson About Starting Cranks on Ford Vehicles in 1920

From the April 29, 2020, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1920, 100 Years Ago.

"Vernon Peterson, known to almost everybody as 'Salty' had the misfortune to break his arm while cranking the Ford trouble chaser of the telephone company.

"Salty has worked for the telephone company for some time and lately has had charge of the trouble wagon.  When he went to crank it yesterday, he did not take the usual care and the result is that he has a broken arm."

I'm taking it that trouble wagon is what goes out on calls.  Electric starters are so much better.

And You Think You have Problems With Your Car.  --RoadCrank

The Founder of Edwardsville, Ninian Edwards, At the Center of Statue Debate

From the July 4, 2020, Kansas City Star by Stephen Spearie, The Springfield State Journal-Register.

His final resting place is at Springfield, Illinois' Oak Ridge Cemetery (where Lincoln is buried).  He served one term as Illinois' third governor and was territorial governor for three terms.  Abraham Lincoln was married in his son's house in Springfield.  The City of Edwardsville is named after him.

One of our favorite stops on our Route 66 sojourns is in Edwardsville, especially the Stagger-Inn Again Bar and their Route 66 festivals.

And, now, here in 2020, his name has essentially become mud as far as some are concerned.

His name was Ninian Edwards, for whom the city of Edwardsville was named.

What could he possibly have done to become such a target?

--RoadDog

Along 66, July 2020: Palmer Hotel in Afton Burns. Park It Right Here Times

I get these stories from the Route 66 News site, your best source for any and everything you can want to know about our Mother Road.  I just write about the stories of most interest to me.

**************************************

JULY 2--  Fire destroyed the long-closed Palmer Hotel in Afton, Oklahoma.  It once featured hot and cold running water in EACH room and electric lights throughout the building.  And, all for the cost of $2 a day.

It is believed to have opened in Mid-March of 1910.

It was just sitting there slowly deteriorating every time we saw while visiting the Afton Station across from it.  Poor Afton.  Hope something can be done to stop its slide into obscurity, especially now that the Afton Station is gone.

JULY 2--  New Mexico imposed a 14-day quarantine to all travelers entering from other states.

Definitely doesn't help Route 66 tourism, but these are trying times.  (Oops, must take a shot.  Whenever you hear a news cast or commercial with any words and then the word "times," you have to take a drink.)

Real Challenging Times These Day.  (Oops, another shot.)  --RoadShot

Along 66, June 2020: Loss of the Oklahoma Elm Trees and Death of Marty Bilecki

 JUNE 25--  The fabled elm tree west of Clinton, Oklahoma, may not be around for very much longer.  There were 14 of them but only one and a half remain now.  The thought is that their demise is being brought about because of the fiberoptic line that has been built through there damaged their roots.

Michael Wallis famous book "Route 66: The Mother Road" featured them and they have since been seen by many 66 travelers.

The trees are just off the Exit 57 of I-40  on North Frontage Road (Route 66).

Other causes of their demise might be the Dutch elm disease which has killed millions of them or the severe droughts Oklahoma has been having lately.

Okay.  Time to get some tree folks out there and replant.

JUNE 30--  Marty Bilecki, 86, has died.  He is considered "Mr. Route 66" in Illinois.  I've met him on several occasions and even had lunch once.

Always sad to lose someone who has done so much for the road.

--RoadDog

Along 66, June 2020: The Black Story of Route 66 and Another COVID-19 Cancellation

JUNE 19--  Route History Shop in Springfield, Illinois, awarded $80,000 grant.  This place tells the black experience on Route 66 which was anything but pleasant during the Jim Crow era.  This is why the Negro Green Book was so essential to Blacks back then as they were not welcome in many places.  Driving 66 was not as much fun for them as it was for white travelers.

They also tell about the 1908 Springfield Race Riot in which at least 16 people were killed. 

They are located at 737 East Cook Street.

If it is where I am thinking it is, once, a lot of years ago, it was open as a sandwich shop at a former gas station.  But, good for them.  The black experience on Route 66 needs to be told.

JUNE 23--  The COVID-19 pandemic prompts cancellation of the world famous Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta for the first time in its history.  It started in 1972 and an estimated 850,000 people attend over its nine days.

--RoadDog

The Swastika Trail in Illinois-- Part 2: On a Rand McNally Map in 1923

From Worth Point.com  "1923 McNally  Indian Road Map of Illinois Swastika Trail.

A fold out 22 x 28-inch map of Illinois includes Illinois, southeastern Iowa, western Indiana and northeaster Missouri.

It includes a gallery of pole markings for named highways in the era before numbered highways.  Some of the ones shown on this 1923 map are the Kickapoo Trail, National Old Trails Road, Dixie Highway, Lincoln Highway, Bee Line, Yellowstone Trail The Great White Way, Egyptian Trail,  Red Ball Route, Ben-Hur Highway, Waubonsie Trail, Blue Grass Road, Wabash Way and the Swastika Trail.

Of course, today the word swastika is linked with the Nazis, but it is a native southwestern U.S.  design and its use was not uncommon through the 1920s.

Prior to the 1920s federal highway numbering system, one of the named routes through Illinois, indicated by the distinctive hooked cross pole marker, was known as the Swastika Trail.

--RoadDog

The Swastika Trail (Illinois)

From RootDig.com  Swastika Trail and Old Highway Map.

I came across the name of one Illinois road back in the 1920s as being Swastika Trail.  Of course, I had to do some further research, but was unable to come up with much.

From the Illinois Digital map Collection.  1922 map.

Back in 1922, highways did not have numbers as they do today.  They had names.

On the map, Swastika Trail ran through the towns of Wapello, New Boston, Joy and Aledo, south of the Quad Cities.

This is now Illinois Highway 17.

Was It a German Thing?   --RoadDog

Painting Word Pictures With Steve Goodman's 'City of New Orleans'

Chicago native Steve Goodman.

Riding on the City of New Orleans
Illinois Central, Monday morning rail

Fifteen cars and fifteen restless riders
Three conductors, twenty-five sacks of mail

All along the southbound odyssey, the train pulls out of Kankakee
And rolls along past houses, farms and fields

Passing towns that have no name, and freight yards full of old black men
And the graveyards of the rusted automobile.

Good morning, America, how are you"
Say, don't you know me, I'm your native sun
I'm the train they call the City of New Orleans
I'll be gone five hundred miles when the day is done.

This paints quite a word picture at this point.  I don't know about you, but I can sure see that train chugging along.

Good Ol' Steve.  --RoadRail

Bill Murray's Fiery Truck Crash-- Part 2: 'About That Honeypot'

When the truck crashed at the bottom of the quarry pit, applied pyrotechnics caused the fiery explosion.  Not seen on camera was a local fire crew stationed at the bottom as well.

William Butt snapped pictures of the scene from 200 feet above.  He said, "it took forever" just to get the cameras rolling on that one scene.

The few minutes of filming took about two weeks  to shoot, and Nimtz Quarry at that time bristled with trailers, dressing rooms and caterers for cast and crew who were waiting for the right weather.  Production took place during the quarries off-season, so it didn't disrupt any usual excavating.

"They figured out one of the deepest parts of northern Illinois is off Nimtz Road,"  William Butt said.  "They were looking for maximum depth for the visual effect, drama."

Most of the filming took place in Woodstock, Illinois, about 34 miles away.

I heard that one day the "honeypots" which was what they called the porta-potties, fell off the trucks on the way back from the quarry and caused a mess on one of the roads.  This caused an accident and the production company got in trouble with the law.

Never get Tired of Learning About That Great Movie.  --RoadDog

Bill Murray's Fiery Truck Crash in the Quarry in Movie "Groundhog Day"-- Part 1: It Was a Chevy S-10

From the Feb. 2, 2018, Rockford Star  "William Charles Construction employees recall  'Groundhog Day' scenes  filmed at workplace as movie turns 25" by Adam Poulisse.

Filming took place over several weeks in the early spring of 1992 at Nimtz Quarry on Nimtz Road near Loves Park, Illinois.   The majority of the movie was shot at nearby Woodstock.

"Everyday it was something different," according to William Butt, who worked as an electrician   at the William Charles Construction Co., which mined the Nimtz Quarry from the 1940s to 2011 and still operates at the site.

The Rock River Valley and quarry can only be seen for a few minutes after Phil steals the groundhog and gets chased out to the quarry where he crashes the truck.

William Butt's job during the filming was to shoot behind-the-scenes footage for his company.  He used a camcorder and camera for the job.

Two different Chevy S-10 trucks were used.  A rail system was used to make it look like the trucks were actually being driven.  For the crash, the engine of the truck was removed.  Of course, neither Bill Murray or the groundhog were in the vehicle when it crashed.

When it landed, pyrotechnics were applied for the fiery explosion.  There was a local fire crew stationed at the bottom of the pit, but off camera.

"Now, Don't Drive Angry."  --RoadHog

The Coming of the Truck 100 Years Ago in DeKalb County

From the April 29, 2020, MidWeek  (DeKalb County, Illinois)  "Looking Back."

1920, 100 Years Ago

"Three Belvidere men drove trucks down from Belvidere and went home with three truckloads of nails from the local plant.

"The motor truck is getting to be a popular method of moving goods over land."

No Railroads Needed (But, Roads You Know).  --RoadTruck

Beware the Country Roads During Rainy Season in 1920

From the March 25, 2020, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1920, 100 Years Ago.

"It is really awfully tiresome to discuss the weather but that is about all folks talk about these days  and they know when they have enough  of such weather too.   Gray overhead and gray underfoot -- not only gray but muddy in the midst of it all -- stop a minute and be glad you don't live in the country if you don't. 

"For country roads -- there ain't no such thing --  where there was a dirt road and if you want a little paddling around in the mud just take a short cut  across a mud road in the country.  More fun than you can imagine."

Love Them Mud Roads in Illinois.  --RoadDog