Along66, June 2022: Casper's Diner and a Packard Ride in Sapulpa

JUNE 2

Casper's Diner to move out of downtown quonset hut to another location in Springfield, Missouri.

They are  moving from 601 W. Walnut Street and will reopen in the old Anton's Coffee Shop on 937 S. Gemstone in late summer or early fall.

It first opened in 1909 and is one of the oldest restaurants.  It has only, however, been in the quonset hut for 37 of those years.  One of its earlier locations was at 1901 Gemstone.

It advertises itself as "The Oldest Diner on Route 66" but is actually located two blocks from it.  (Probably why I never saw it before.)  Also, Ike's Chili in Tulsa started in 1908.

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JUNE 5

The Heart of Route 66 Auto Museum in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, is offering rides in their century old Packard.  The drive goes for a half hour and costs $11 a head.

Their Packard has long been on display at the place.  Packards are considered one of the finest cars ever made.

The museum also has that new 66-ft tall faux gasoline pump.

Thinking about taking a ride next time through and having a bite to eat at Casper's.

--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: Eat-Rite Diner Closes... Again

DECEMBER 19

Eat-Rite Diner in St. Louis has shut down again.

It has closed permanently for a second time in a little more than three years, citing crime, violence and the virus as reasons.

It is considered a St. Louis institution and a popular hang out for Cardinal fans (if not at Ted Drewes).  Located on the old Chouteau alignment of Route 66, just one block from the Tucker Boulevard Route 66 alignment.  (Route 66 has many, many alignments through St. Louis.)

We've never been to it before, but I'm not sure about the crime and violence they reported.  Plus, I can now go back to St. Louis which I was boycotting after the removal of the Confederate statue in Forest Park.  At least it did not get "hate crimed," which happens so often in other places these days.  I need some Ted Drewes, anyway.  I sure missed that place.

--RoadDrewes

Ten Reasons to Drive Route 66 This Summer (Hopefully)-- Part 3: Iconic Spots and Diners

7.  THE ICONIC SPOTS--  Chicago's Grant Park (The Bean and skyline).  Santa Monica Pier (a picture accompanies the article)  Arizona's Petrified Forest and Painted Desert.  And, don't forget the Chain of Rocks Bridge.  The red clay of Oklahoma and that great giraffe stone.

The list goes on and on.

8.  THE ROADSIDE ATTRACTIONS--  Cadillac Ranch (Amarillo and a picture accompanies the article)  Created back in 1974 with 10 Cadillac cars  buried nose-first in the ground.  And, don't forget the Blue Whale.

9.  THE DINERS--  A  picture of Cozy Dog in Springfield, Illinois.  Lots and lots of different little places to eat.

10.  THE UNIQUE ACCOMMODATIONS--    Wigwam Motels in Holbrook, Arizona, and Rialto, California.  Of course, the Munger-Moss, Wagon Wheel, Boots and more.

--RoadDog

Along 66, Feb. 2019: National Parks, Signage and a Diner

I take these from the Route 66 News Blog.  That site has more information and a lot more items (as well as pictures and information).  I just pick out the ones I am most interested in and write about them.  So if Route 66 is of interest, I highly recommend the site.

FEBRUARY 1--  Damage was done to California's Joshua Tree National Park during the U.S. government's partial shutdown.  That was really sad business, both at the park and in the government.

FEBRUARY 4--  In Tulsa, Oklahoma, they have painted Route 66 shields on the pavement on both the eat and west sides of the city.  I always enjoy seeing the shields on the road.  Shows pride in heritage and is good signage as well.  The first place we ever saw shields on the pavement was Dwight, Illinois.

FEBRUARY 6--   Woody's Diner on 66 in Miami, Oklahoma is for sale for $330,000.  It is a 1930s diner.  I don't remember it, but when we'rein Miami, it  is Waylon's for us.

--RoadDog

News From Along Route 66, April 2017: The Riviera Fire in 2010

APRIL 23--  The Streetcar Diner was also a target of the Riviera Roadhouse fire in 2010.  It was suspicious from the start and Liz and I were sure it was arson.  But we never heard anything about the cause after the fire.

This is the first time we heard that it definitely was arson as gasoline was used and another, thankfully unsuccessful fire was attempted in the diner.

They know who did the arson, the Riviera's last owner.  At this point it appears they don't know where he is, but I hope he is caught and serves serious time.

The former trolley car was converted into a restaurant in Gardner in the 1930s and later moved to out behind the Riviera where it was restored by the Illinois Route 66 Association.  It has now been moved to Gardner's park which features the famous two-cell jail.

It was so sad to drive by the now empty and cleared site of the Riviera during the Illinois Route 66 Red Carpet Festival two weekends ago.  We had not been by it since before the fire as it was too painful.  We were happy to have the chance to have a root beer float in the diner and liked the marker to the Krafts outside of it.

Great Memories of the Riviera.  --RoadDog