8 Iconic Cultural Locations on Route 66-- Part 2: 'The Outsiders' and 'Breaking Bad'

Here are those eight locations:

1.  "THE OUTSIDERS" HOUSE MUSEUM, Tulsa, Oklahoma

From the 1983 film adaptation of "The Outsiders" directed by Francis Ford Coppola and based on the novel by E.S. Hinton.  After decades of disrepair and near demolition it was purchased in 2016 and restored, opening as a museum in 2019.  

Lots of memorabilia from the movie and drop-ins from actors and even Hinton, who is a native of Tulsa.

2.  CENTRAL AVENUE, Abuquerque, New Mexico

Central Avenue is an alignment of Route 66 and is still,lined with motels, diners and neon signs, many of which can be seen in AMC's "Breaking Bad" (2008-2013).

The Dog House has been serving chili-topped footlong hot dogs for over 70 years, and its tail-wagging, suasage-eating neon dachshund makes a few appearances in the show's early years,as does the Crossroads Motel.

--RoadSider

Along66, October 2022: Eatin' Corn Dogs and Neon Signs

OCTOBER 3

Corndog eating record broken during Mobil 1's Route 66 tour stop in Albuquerque.

Geoff Esper of Massachusetts ate 11 big corndogs in three minutes and broke the old record which was 8.

Of course, Cozy Dog in Springfield, Illinois, would not agree with this because they were NOT Cozy Dogs!!  I bet Geoff ate them plain when everybody knows a properly clad corn-err Cozy dog should have mustard and raw onions (with a side of Cozy Dog fries).

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OCTOBER 5

The newest neon sign in Tulsa's Route 66 neon sign grant program is at the Chicken and the Wolf restaurant at Harvard Avenue and 11th Avenue (Route 66).

As I Have Often Said, You Can't Ever Have Enough Neon Signs.  --RoadDog

Along66 July 2022: New Murals in Oklahoma and Illinois and a New Bronze Statue in Albuquerque

JULY 27

New murals in Route Corridor in Collinsville and Edwardsville, Illinois.  There is also one in Yukon, Oklahoma.  Next to neon, I like murals the best.  Well, also museums.

JULY 31 

Albuquerque dedicates a new bronze statue of the "Breaking Bad" lead actors, Walter  White and Jesse Pinkman.  

This popular AMC show ran from 2008  to 2013.

--RoadDog

Along66, Dec. 2021: Death of Indy 500 Champ Al Unser

DECEMBER 12

Racing legend Al Unser (and Albuquerque native) dies at 82.  Won the Indy 500 four times and is the third member of the Unser family to die this year.  His older brother Bobby Unser died in May and Bobby, Jr. died six weeks later.  Bobby Under won the Indy 500 three times.  Pretty good family record there.

Al Unser won the Indy in 1970, 1971, 1978 and 1987. He is the only driver in history to have a sibling win the 500 as well as a child.

His final victory in 1987 at age 47 also made him the oldest 00 winner.

Other four-time winners of the Indianapolis 500:  A.J. Foyt, Rick Mears and Helio Castroneves.

--RoadDog

Along 66, May 2021: Albuquerque's Route 66 Centennial and a Tribute to Lowell Davis

MAY 22

Albuquerque, New Mexico budgets $630,000 for Route 66  centennial celebration in 2026.  Looks like a place to definitely visit as they're going all in.  Great, Albuquerque!

MAY 23

A festival planned for September in Carthage, Missouri, will pay tribute to Red Oak II's late founder Lowell Davis.

He died in November at the age of 83.  To say he was a folk artist is to put it mildly. We were lucky to get to meet and talk with his (with that pipe of course) when the Welcome to Carthage sign (with the cop car behind it) was being put up by the Boots Court.

He is exactly why Route 66 is such a great road.

--RoadDog

Along 66, May 2021: The Launching Pad Reopening and Death of Racing Legend Al Unser

MAY 3

The Launching Pad Drive-In in Wilmington, Illinois will reopen after a long closure due to COVID-19.  Its reopening is part of the Route 66 Red Carpet Corridor Festival, which this year will be in the form of a 90-mile car cruise (because of the virus, you know).

Tully Garrett and Holly Barker are the owners of the Launching Pad, and of course their 28-foot Gemini Giant.  The place opened in 1960 as the Dairy Delite, but was renamed the Launching Pad after an expansion in 1965.  This had to do with the U.S. push into space at the time.

MAY 4

Albuquerque resident and racing legend Al Unser died at age 87.  He won 35 major races during his 30-year racing career, including the Indy 500 three times.

--RoadDog

Along 66, March 2021: Valentine Diners and House of Pain Neon 'Jump Around'

MARCH 28

Albuquerque Police Substation on Nob Hill was once a Valentine diner.

Valentine diners were prefabricated  mail order small diners produced in Wichita, Kansas, after the Great Depression.  They were produced into the 1970s and a small number remain as  operating businesses (some even as restaurants).

Wikipedia says a few are popular roadside attractions along Route 66.  There are two in Winslow, Arizona  and one in bad shape at Twin Arrows, Arizona.

MARCH 31

Savior of "The Outsiders" house in Tulsa rescues the 11th Street Cleaners neon sign.

Danny Boy O'Connor is a member of the House of Pain rap group (best known for their "Jump Around" song) has bought it.  

He plans to restore it and hang it by his "Outsiders" house.

While on the subject of House of Pain's "Jump Around" you need to go to You Tube and watch videos of the beginning of the 4th quarter of University of Wisconsin football games.  There is also a good one taken at commencement exercises.

"Pack It Up, Pack It In, Let Me Begin, I Came To Win.... Jump Around.  --RoadJump

Along 66, Dec. 2020: The De Anza's Comeback and the Route 66 Centennial Commission Becomes Fact

DECEMBER 22

The De Anza Motor Lodge wins NAIOP award for Mixed Us/Multi-Family category.

Albuquerque, New Mexico.  The National Association of Industrial Affairs Properties gave them the prize.  The old motel is now apartments whose massing, scale, color, tones and textures reflect the original motel

The De Anza was built by Charles Wallace, a Zuni trader and Indian art collector in 1939.  The City of Albuquerque closed it in 2003.  Three attempts were made to bring it back to its former glory before this new success.

DECEMBER 23 

President Trump signs the Route 66 Centennial Commission Act bill into law.

The road's centennial, of course, is in 2026.  It was Senate Bill 1014 and signed into law along with six other bills.

The U.S. House of Representatives had earlier passed it by voice vote.  It passed the senate by unanimous consent.

Hey guys and gals, I'd like to volunteer my services.

Hello, Guys?  Anybody There?  --RoadWhyNot

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

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

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

Along 66, June 2020: Rialto Square Theatre, Green Book and a Vintage Firestone Station

 JUNE 6--  Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet, Illinois, will be temporarily converted into a traffic court for Will County.  They will be paid $700 a day.  Sadly, because of you-know-what, the venue has been closed since March.  Better to make some money than no money.

JUNE 9--  The Smithsonian Channel (which we sadly don't get) will air "Green Book:  Guides to Freedom" on line.  It originally aired in February 2019.  Actually, you can see it with a free trial evidently as I looked it up.

We all know what a thrill Route 66 was for us white folk, but back in the 1930s to 1970s it was a whole different thing for black motorists.  Something we overlooked but has since been brought to our attention thanks to the book about, and, of course that wonderful movie.

JUNE 10--  A vintage Firestone station in downtown Albuquerque has closed after being there at least since the early 1930s. It is at 7th Street and Central Avenue (Route 66)  

Here's hoping they are able to keep the building looking as it does.

--RoadDog

Along 66, June 2020: BLM Riots in Albuquerque, Birthplace Route 66 Festival Canceled, No More Musical Road in New Mexico

These are taken from the Route 66 News site.  I just take the stories of particular interest to me.  The site has at least one story every day and goes into more detail and even has pictures.  Check it out.

JUNE 1--  Rioters damage the KiMo Theatre in Albuquerque.  Even there?  These are quite the times to be living in.  As if the coronavirus wasn't bad enough.  Now we have to deal with all this Black Lives Matter demonstrations, which often start off peaceful, but all too often turn into rioting and looting.  And, that KiMo Theatre is one beautiful structure.

JUNE 2--  Birthplace of Route 66 Festival is cancelled.  It was to be August 14-125.  Last year, attendance was put at 65,000.  Plans are in place to have it again in 2021, hopefully.

Reason;  you-know-what.

We're hoping to make it there sometime in the future.

JUNE 4--  the famed Musical Road in Tijeras, New Mexico, is quietly fading away and, sadly, there are no plans for restoration.

It played "America the Beautiful" if you drove across the strips at 45 mph.  We were kind of looking forward to riving it.  Though, I would have preferred to hear "Get Your Kicks on Route 66."

Here's hoping someone takes it forward.

--RoadDog

Along 66, April 2020: Keeping That Coronavirus Memorabilia and An Old Sign in New Mexico

These are taken from the Route 66 News site.

APRIL 14--  The Litchfield Museum and Route 66 Welcome Center is urging people to keep their coronavirus memorabilia.

I have seen that many museums are asking for these items and people to write about what happened to them.  After all, this is huge history we're in the midst of right now, not to mention the civil unrest.

APRIL 18--  The sign of the Mountain Lodge Motel east of Albuquerque, New Mexico, will be taken down and placed in storage.  Fire destroyed the motel in 2014.

It is hoped the restored sign will be placed at the Route 66 Visitors Center on Nine Mile Hill west of Albuquerque.

--RoadDog

Along 66, Dec. 2019: De Anza Motel Sign Relighted

DECEMBER 30--  The De Anza Motor Lodge sign in Albuquerque, New Mexico, will be relighted Sunday.  It is located at 4301 Central Avenue.

The De Anza has undergone big rehabilitation and rebuilding in the last several years and is reopening as higher-end apartments.

Always glad to see an old motel finding new life.

--RoadDog

Along 66, August 2019: Club Cafe Neon Signs Taken Down

AUGUST 31--  The two remaining neon signs from the long-closed Club cafe in Santa Rosa, New Mexico, were removed.

Sign Art removed them and it is rumored that they are destined to go to a collector who'll refurbish them and re-erect them at a future Route 66 Visitors Center in Albuquerque's west side.

Good news.  I always hate when something is removed and placed in a private collection, out of sight of the public.

--RoadDog

Along 66, July 2019: Two Neon Signs Reinstalled in Albuquerque

JULY 19:  Two neon signs were reinstalled along Route 66 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The De Anza Motor Lodge is a restored new hotel, apartments, businesses, restaurants.  It was built in 1939 by Charles Wallace, a Zuni trader and Indian art collector.

A reproduction of the original Monterey Motel sign has been relit.  It is near the El Vado Motel.

It was opened in 1946 as the Davis Court and was renamed Monterey Court by 1954.  For a long time it was known as the Monterey Non-Smokers Motel.

Give Me That Old Time Neon.  --RoadDog

Along 66, July 2019: Crossroads, Specialty Plates and an Anniversary

JULY 17--  Crossroads Diner in Mt. Olive, Illinois, closed earlier this year.  It was built in 1953 at the intersection of  Route 66 and Illinois Highway 138.

There is no explanation as to why it closed and I believe it is in the Illinois Route 66 Association's Hall of Fame.

I don't remember ever eating there, however.  Maybe it was my fault.

JULY 18--  License -plate program earns $231,000 for the Arizona Route 66 Association.  These are what are known as specialty plates.  And, I'm sure that money will be put to good use.

JULY 24--  The New Mexico Route 66 Association is having a 30th anniversary party this Saturday at the Enchanted Trails RV Park & Trading Post west of Albuquerque.

Love Those Route 66 State Associations.  --RoadDog

Along 66, June 2019: Save the Gasconade Bridge and Muffler Man Reunited With Arms and Axe

JUNE 11--  The Gasconade River Bridge Guardians issued an "urgent call to action."  The bridge is located near Hazelgren, Missouri.  According to the MoDOT the bridge is imminent danger of demolition unless a new owned can be found by the spring of 2020.

Hopefully, a new owner will be found as it is a beautiful bridge.  We were able to see it in June on the east bound lanes of I-44.  You can't see it west bound.

JUNE 12--  Restoration is complete on the muffler man lumberjack in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  It lost its arms and axe at the May Cafe on Central Avenue which was Route 66.

Love Those Muffler Men.  --RoadDog

Along 66, June 2019: A Neon Sign and A Visitors Center

These are taken from the Route 66 News blog.  That blog has many more posts and goes into much longer detail.  I just pick the ones of most interest to me.

JUNE 1--   The restored Fender's River Road Resort sign is to be relighted June 8 in Needles, California.

JUNE 7--  New Mexico has awarded $2 million for a Route 66 visitors center in Albuquerque.

You Can Never have Too Many Visitors Centers, Museums or Neon Signs In My Book.  --RoadDog