Along66, Jan. 2023: Deaths of Caitlin-Legitko and Okura

JANUARY 25

Illinois State Museum director dies shortly after appointment to Route 66 Centennial Commission.

Cinnamon Caitlin-Legutko, age 50.

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JANUARY 28

Albert Okura, restarantaur who owned the town of Amboy, California, died at age 72.  He also owned the Juan Pollo restaurant chain.

He bought Amboy in 2005.  In addition, he also owned the original McDonald's in San Bernanrdino, Calofornia.

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JANUARY 30

About $15 million in improvements are planned for the Old State Capitil Building in Springfield, Illinois.

The funds come from the state's Rebuild Illinois Program.  Money will be spent on the relacement of the roof and wooden flooring among other things.

--RoadDog

Along66, April 2022: Death of C.W. McCall and the Shamrock Goes NRHP

APRIL 1

C.W. McCall, 93, dies.  Famed for his song "Convoy.

Died April 1, 2022.

Known for his novelty song in 1975 that went to #1 on both the country and pop charts and helped ignite the CB radio craze.  Now the CBs weren't just for truckers.  

It inspired a movie by the same name starring Kris Kristofferson.

I really liked the song, but never got a CB radio.  I did enjoy its use in "Smokey & the Bandit."

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APRIL 3

Shamrock Court Motel in Sullivan, Missouri, has been designated a National Register Historic Place.  Roamin' Rich and the rest of the Missouri Route 66 crew has sure done a great job on it. 

It is located at 1246 South Service Road (66).

It is especially neat with all the giraffe stone on it.  To m e, that's real Ozark Plateau architecture.

--RoadDog

Along66 Jan. 2022: Death of Charlie Nixon of Glenrio

JANUARY 12

Charlie Nixon, native of Glenrio, dies at 89.

Glenrio is a ghost town on Route 66, straddling the Texas-New Mexico border.

Mr. Nixon was born April 13, 1932, in Glenrio.  He grew up in Endee, San Jon, Porter and Tucumcari, New Mexico.

The second son of James "Ivan: Nixon and Rosa Lea Hackett Nixon who worked long hours in cafes, gas stations, bars and dance halls that they managed and owned.

Charlie was quite a character himself with too much to write about, so read the obituary and watch the video at Route 66 News for this date.  Also, read his obituary at Legacy.

Just one of the people who make Route 66 such a fun place.

--RoadDog

Along66, Jan. 2022: Death of David Clark, the 'Windy City Road Warrior' and Foremost Chicago Route 66 Authority

These are taken from the Route 66 News blog, your place if you want to know any and all things about our favorite road.  I just pick the stories I am most interested in and write about them.  For more information and the other things I didn't write about, go to the site.

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JANUARY 7

David Clark, the foremost authority on Route 66 in Chicago died January 4.  He was known as the Windy City Road Warrior.

He led tours and wrote several books on his area of expertise:  "Exploring Route 66 in Chicago" and "Route 66 in Chicago."

I was lucky enough to get to see his presentations on the road in Chicago on several occasions and took a tour with him once.  He was a very, very fast walked, but, man did he know his stuff.

I'll never forget the spot on the Chicago River where 66 crossed it and the train tracks were when he said these three things made Chicago the city is is today through the transportation.

And, if there was anything about Chicago architecture, I mean, ANYTHING, he knew that as well.

He'll Ne Missed.   --RoadDog

Why Go Anywhere Else?-- Part 3: A History Meeting, Buddy Frank, Celebration of Life for Dennis Dohse, Da Bears and Da Bloody Mary

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 18

Few things I enjoy more than going to a history group and learning something new about that subject and today, for the first time since September 2019, I was able to go to a meeting of the Fox Lake/Grant Township Historical Society.  And, we learned about the time the Towne Theatre in Fox Lake, Illinois, had an explosion.  Fortunately, no one was injured, but the theatre was a loss.

They now know this was part of a move by organized crime to make them and other theater owners allow the Film Projectionist Union in.

I got to catch up with the last year and a half with buddy Frank.

That afternoon, we went to Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, for a Celebration of Life for our good friend Dennis Dohse, who died  a week and a half ago of a sudden heart attack.  We've been friends of his since the old NTN days and he was the main reason we ended up having the '85 Firebird redone.  We will sure miss him.  The place was packed.

A great as that victory two weeks ago over Georgia Tech was for NIU, today was a different story with a 63-10 destruction by the University of Michigan.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 19

The usual, internet, blogs and radio.  Then watched part of the Bears game at home in Margaritaville, our downstairs bar, and then the rest of it at the McHenry American Legion and enjoyed the $2.50 Adequate Bloody Marys.

--RoadDog

Along66, July 2021: The Threatt Filling Station and 'Dafogey'

JULY 16

Threatt Filling Station near Luther, Oklahoma, wins grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation.  It is one of 40 recipients of $3 million from the NTHP's African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund.

It was constructed in 1915 and is still family owned.  It is not known how much the station is getting.  A few weeks ago it landed on the list of America's Most Endangered Places.

I believe every effort should be made to preserve as many sites as can be found that were in the Green Book.  This is an important part of American history and should no loner be so overlooked.

JULY 18

Gary Cron, creator of the "Route 66 Radio", has died at age 72. He also created "Baby Boomer Radio".  He was known as "Dafogey" and lived in Wildwood, California.

He launched "Baby Boomer Radio" in 2009 and played classic rock on the internet.

I've listened to his shows before and enjoyed them.  Sad to lose him.

As in Old Fogey.

--RoadDogogey

Along 66, Dec. 2020: Glaida Funk Dies, Funk's Grove Maple Sirip

DECEMBER 21

Glaida Funk, matriarch of Funk's Grove Maple Sirip has died at age 94.

Her husband Steve died in 2015 at age 90.  They were married for almost 70 years and had run Funk's Grove Maple Sirip since 1947.

Other family members ran it before that.

We met her on our first Route 66 trip in 2002.  We pulled into their place after closing time and got out of the car to look at it.  A woman came up to us from the house across the road and we told her this was our first time on 66.  She opened the store for us.  Her name was Glaida.  

We didn't have much of a chance not to get smitten by 66 on that first trip as we also got a chance to meet and talk with Rich Henry, Bill Shea and Tom Teague.

We Got the Full Route 66 Treatment That Trip.  No Wonder We Got "Hooked."  --RoadDog

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

Check Out This Article in the Sun-Times: Charles Custer's 1950s Photographs of Route 66 Americana

For those of you like me, who really enjoy the Shorpy site's pictures, here is an article that you've got to see to believe.  About 20 high-class photographs taken in America's small towns back in the 1950s.  They are the photographs of Charles Custer and his wife taken on their honeymoon across the United States.

You can find the article at April 24, 2020, Chicago Sun-Times  "  Charles Custer, dead at 91, with wife Irene Custer took photos capturing  a time capsule of Route 66, Americana" by Maureen O'Donnell.

Mike Wallace is interviewed for the article.

Well Worth a Look.  --RoadDog

Along 66, Nov. 2019: Gas Stations, a Death and Totem Poles

NOVEMBER 8--  The Route 66 Village Station opened in Tulsa. It is a welcome center in southwest Tulsa and modeled after a 1930s Phillips 66 cottage style gas station.  The $555,000 project is located at 3770 Southwest Boulevard  (Route 66)

Love those cottage style stations.

NOVEMBER 10--  Death of Jane Dippel who was very active in the Missouri Route 66 Association.  I am a member of that organization and the Illinois Route 66 Association.

NOVEMBER 12--  The restoration of Ed Galloway's Totem Pole Park, near Foyil, Oklahoma, should be completed by the fall of 2020.

It would be too sad to lose this place so I am glad they're doing it.

--RoadDog

Along 66, August 2019: Goodbye Peter, a Neon Sign and the Pony Bridge

AUGUST 16--   Actor Peter Fonda  died at age 79.  Famed for the 1969 movie "Easy Rider" along with Dennis Hopper.  The movie cost less than $500,000 to make but made $60 million.

There is a one hour video on how it was made.

Not only was the movie about a unique road trip that ended in tragedy, but that soundtrack was something else.  One of my favorite all-time movies.

AUGUST 20--   The Grants Cafe's neon sign was taken down earlier this month.  In Grant's, New mexico.  I didn't get whether it was being restored or if someone bought it.

AUGUST 22--  What's being planned for the famed pony bridge near Bridgeport?  It's actual name is the William H. Murray Bridge, but most commonly referred to as the Pony Bridge.

It is one of Route 66's most iconic sights  as it stretches for more than 3,900 feet over the South Canadian River and consists of 38 yellow "pony"  trusses.

The problem is that it is too narrow.

That Is One Neat Old Bridge.  --RoadDog

Eight Killed In Traffic Accidents in DeKalb County in 1943

From the January 2, 2019, MidWeek  :Looking Back."

1944, 75 Years Ago.

"DeKalb County had eight traffic fatalities last year, nearly three times as many as in 1942 when but three people lost their lives in traffic accidents."

--RoadDog

Along 66, July 2019: Afton Station Sold, Death of a 66er

These are taken from the Route 66 News site which has a whole lot more stories as well as information.  I just take the ones of most interest to me.

JULY 2--  The new owner of Afton Station in Afton, Oklahoma, wants ideas for a Route 66 business to be located there.

Louis Cox bought it for $72,000 at auction on Saturday.

Here's hoping that the city will back him as they can really use the help.  Sure miss the former owner, Laurel Kane, who was always so friendly and nice

JULY 3--  Martha Jackson was a key figure in getting Litchfield, Illinois, its Route 66 Museum and visitors center, has died at age 87.

I didn't know her, but anyone who loves the road as much as I do is alright with me.

Thank You Laurel and Martha, For All You Have Done for the Mother Road.  --RoadDog

Death of the Last Doolittle Raider, Richard Cole

While working on my Tattooed On Your Soul:  World War II blog today, I suddenly got to thing about the Doolittle Raiders and whether or not any of them were still alive.  I did a search and found out the last one, Richard Cole, 103, had died on Tuesday April 9, just short of the anniversary of the raid by nine days (April 18, 1942.

That is quite a coincidence.

I have written about the raid many times:

World War II blog--  91 times
History blog--  20 times
Down Da Road I Go blog--  3 times

This raid, coming so soon after Pearl Harbor, was a huge lift to American morale and a great blow to the Japanese who were sure it would be impossible.

Gerald Ellis, Hero-- Part 2: Dies Saving Lives in a Wrong-Way Crash

From the March 30, 3019, ABC News  "Illinois state trooper Gerald Ellis dies in a wrong-way crash, 2nd officer  killed in a roadside accident this week."

Officer Gerald Ellis, 36, and an 11-year-veteran was killed in the line of duty early Saturday morning at 3:30 am after being struck by a vehicle driving in the wrong direction on I-94.  He was in his squad car and headed home when he saw a vehicle driving east in the westbound lanes.

To keep the other car from smashing into others who were behind him, he intentionally crashed his squad car into the oncoming one.  Both he and the other driver, who had been drinking, were killed.

Now, that is the ultimate sacrifice.

Ellis is the second Illinois State Trooper killed this week.  Brooke Jones-Story, 34, a 12-year-veteran was struck during a traffic stop.  Another State Trooper was killed in January.

A Dangerous Job.

So Long Bob Lehman of the Munger-Moss

I just heard that Bob Lehman, owner of the Munger-Moss Motel in Lebanon, Missouri, died.

Another of the wonderful Route 66 folk who are no longer with us.

But, Liz and I were able to meet with and talk with him many times over our Route 66 days so we are thankful for that.

Our condolences to his wife Ramona.

Gone But Not Forgotten for 2018

Yesterday, January 11, 2019,  (and I remembered 2019 and not 2018) Bob Stroud did this topic on his Ten at Ten on Chicago's WDRV, 97.1 FM.  The list was of songs musicians who died last year were involved with, either solo or in a group.

Song-- performer--  name of deceased

JAILHOUSE ROCK--  Elvis--    D.J. Fontana
HOLD YOUR HEAD UP--  Argent--  Jim Rodford
MIRACLES--  Jefferson Starship--  Marty Balin

COVER OF THE ROLLING STONE--  Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show--  Ray Sawyer
THINK--  Aretha Franklin
DRIVIN' WHEEL--  Foghat--   Craig MacGregor
GO NOW--  Moody Blues--  Ray Thomas

GRAZIN' IN THE GRASS--  Hugh Masakela
SWEET HOME ALABAMA--  Lynyrd Skynyrd--  Ed King
SENTIMENTAL LADY--  Fleetwood Mac (original)  Danny Kerwin

Tomorrow, Sunday, January 13, he will do his whole Rock and Roll Roots show from 7 to 10 a.m. CST on Gone But Not Forgotten, and I believe I heard him mention the show will be replayed at night as well.

It streams, so give it a listen.

I also kept a running list throughout 2018 on my Down Da Road I Go blog.  Go to this blog and click on any entry Headlined "Music Deaths" and click on Music Deaths in 2018 for all of them.

Thanks for the Music.  --RoadDog

George H.W. Bush in World War II: "Skin"

From Wikipedia.

As we continue to lose so many World War II veterans to age.

As one of the youngest naval aviators, George Bush was assigned to Torpedo Squadron 51 (VT-51) as the photographic officer.  The following year, his squadron was based on the light aircraft carrier USS San Jacinto as a member of Air Group 51.

While aboard, he received the nickname "Skin" because of his lanky physique.  During this time, his air group took part in one of the largest air battles of WW II in the Pacific, the Battle of the Philippine Sea.

After his promotion to lieutenant (junior grade) on August 1, 1944, the USS San Jacinto began operations against the Japanese-held Bonin Islands.

--GreGen

R.I.P. Rick Selle

A good friend of mine from the old Puppet Bar days has passed on.  Rick Selle died at age 64, on July 12 after a short illness.

He used to be quite the partier.  One time his boat, a small fishing skiff, sank while tied to a pier at the Puppet Bar.  I was deejaying and kept telling him his boat was sinking, but he wouldn't believe me.  When we finally went outside to look at it, the boat was about 2/3 submerged and there were a whole lot of empty beer cans floating by it.

He was also very interested in anything dealing with history and had quite a collection of old stuff in his basement.

The last time we saw him and his wife was on an Illinois Route 66 Motor Tour when I recognized a sign with "R.A.S. Concrete" on the side of a truck.

We'll Sure Miss You Rick.  --RoadDog

Along 66, April 2018: The Mill and The Cop

These stories taken from the Route 66 News site which goes into greater detail and even has pictures.  I only write about the ones I am most interested in.

APRIL 30--  Recollections of the early days of The Mill.  Four people who were there when the Blue Mill opened in Lincoln, Illinois, had their stories told in a 2007 interview by Geoff Ladd.  Included are the stories of Robert and Norma McAfee.

Looking forward to seeing the newly reopened, well, a year ago, Mill while on the Route 66 Association of Illinois Motor Tour two weekends from now.

APRIL 30--  Longtime Illinois state trooper Chester Henry died at age 86.  He served 1957-1984 out of the Illinois State Police District 6 headquartered in the art deco building that looked like a pistol when viewed from above in Pontiac, Illinois.

He wrote  a book, "Route 66, My Home Away From Home" and was inducted into the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame in 1993.

Sure Will Be Nice When They Find A Way to Do Something With That Building.  --RoadDog