Along66, Dec. 2022: Route 66 Open Between Barstow and Ludlow. A Memorial to Joplin's Tornado Victims

I take these from the Route 66 News blog which posts every day and in greater detail and pictures.  I only take the posts of most interest to me.  So, if you want the best coverage of our road, I strongly recommend that site.

DECEMBER 1

Old Route 66 is now open  between Barstow and Ludlow, California.  It had been closed for several years because of bridge washouts.  So, now you can drive it.

DECEMBER 2

A memorial was dedicated in Joplin, Missouri for the 2011 tornado victims.

It is 17 feet tall with the date May 22, 2011 on it and bears the names of the 161 who died when the EF 5 tornado hit.

It is located at the Harry McCornell Arts & Entertainment Complex at Joplin Avenue and 7th Street (Route 66).

Liz and I drove through the area hit by the tornado several months later and the devastation was still indescribable.

--RoadDog

Along66, May 2022: Wildfires in New Mexico and a Tornado Does Damage to Lucille's

I take these from the excellent Route 66 News blog site.  I just take the items of most interest to me from it, but of you're looking to know what's going on along our favorite road, this is where you want to go.  There is a new post everyday along with more information, plus, I am always at least a month behind what I take from it.

MAY 3

Travelers are advised to avoid Las Vegas, New Mexico, right now because of wildfires.

MAY 4

Lucille's Service Station in Hydro, Oklahoma, sustains moderate damage from a tornado.

There was moderate damage to the roof, but the nearby office building, designed to look like the original motel at the place, was even damaged more.

Lucille, "The Mother of the Mother Road,"Hamons owned and operated her place for almost sixty years until she died in 2000.

The station was built in 1929 and is on the NRHP.

She was one person we sure would have liked to meet, but sadly, we didn't get interested in Route 66 until 2022.

--RoadDog

Along66, Dec. 2021: Tornado in Edwardsville, 'Signs', Whirl-A-Whip

DECEMBER 13

Edwardsville, Illinois, the morning after a tornado killed six after it hit an Amazon Distributing Center.

DECEMBER 16

Les Emmerson, writer of the Route 66-inspired song "Signs" at age 77.  By the group Five Man Electric Band.  Always liked this song.  

"And the sign said "Long-Haired Freaky People Need Not Apply.' "  I though I could sing this song at karaoke once.  Turns out I couldn't.

DECEMBER 17

More about the historic Whirl-A-Whip restaurant in Girard, Illinois.  It was on the 1926-1932 alignment before it was moved east.

Opened by the Lockwoods in 1957 and has had five sets of owners since then.

--RoadDog

Along 66, May 2019: A Motel Done Gone and One Flattened By Tornado

MAY 24--  The closed Wishing Well Motor Inn in Springfield, Missouri, is slated for demolition.  It is deemed no longer habitable and a nuisance.

It is located at 3550 W. Chestnut Expressway.

I always hate to see an old motel torn down, but when they get that far gone it has to be done, but I hope they at least save the sign.

MAY 24--  The Budget Inn Motel on Route 66 in El Reno, Oklahoma, was flattened by a tornado.  At least a dozen trailers at a nearby trailer court were also destroyed.

Oklahoma 66, Tornado Alley.  --RoadDog

Along 66, December 2018: Denny's Windmill and Country Classic Cars

Stories taken from the Route 66 News blog site.

DECEMBER 2--    Denny's windmill in Arcadia, California, spinning again.  It fell off last year.  Denny's purchased the site in 1989 and spent $100,000 refurbishing it at that time.  It is on an original Route 66 alignment.

Saw a picture of it and next time through there, we'll be stopping.  That is one neat-looking windmill.  Definitely a tourist attraction.

DECEMBER 2--  A series of an estimated 15 tornadoes struck the Staunton, Illinois, area and severely damaged the Country Classic Cars complex nearby (off I-55).  They are having some bad luck after a destructive fire in 2017.

I haven't heard anything about damage to Rich Henry;s Rabbit Ranch so guess he had no damage.

--RoadDog

News Along 66, May 2017: Murals, Tornadoes and Women on 66

MAY 16--  There are five new murals in Miami, Oklahoma and the public was invited to do some of the painting.  I was not real impressed with the murals that I saw.

MAY 17--  One person killed and much damage from a tornado in Elk City, Oklahoma.  It seems that tornadoes have a particular fondness for Route 66 towns.  Also snow and thunderstorms.

MAY 17--  Missouri State University in Springfield got a grant of $2,500 for its "Women on the Mother Road in Missouri.  This is collecting oral histories and a picture of Ramona of the Munger-Moss accompanied the article.

Love That Ramona.  --RoadDog

About Those Lincoln Highway Tornadoes in Illinois

From the April 10, 2015, Chicago Tribune "Tornadoes slice a path across northern Illinois" by Tony Briscoe and Peter Nickeas.

"50-mile trail of destruction left in wake; at least one dead."

A tornado was also spotted at Ashton.A violent storm system through off one or more tornadoes  Damage was reported on either side of Interstate 39 near Rochelle, Illinois.  The tiny hamlet of Fairdale between Rochelle and Rockford was hit particularly hard and described "as pretty well destroyed."  Reports of several tornadoes were also reported in the Woodstock area

Just before 7 p.m., a tornado collapsed the roof of a Crest Foods warehouse in Franklin Grove (headquarters of the Lincoln Highway).  A short time later, Grubsteakers Restaurant near intersection of Ill-252 (old US-51) and 64 in Rochelle, was hit with about a dozen people inside.  They had to be pulled from the rubble.  the place was described as "pretty much leveled."

Ashton, Franklin Grove and Rochelle are all on the old Lincoln Highway, Il-38 in this area.

--RoadDog

Tornadoes Hit Illinois Along the Lincoln Highway in Illinois

This past Thursday, April 9th, was quite a stormy one here in northern Illinois with widespread storms, the most lightning I've ever seen and winds here in McHenry County.  In Johnsburg, Illinois, we had two tornado warnings issued on TV as well as the sirens.  I've never seen the sky so black.

But, we got off easy as a stretch of Illinois located south of Rockford had tornadoes touch down.  I believe I heard that there were several deaths.  The small town of Fairdale near Rochelle was essentially wiped out. damage was done in Rochelle, Franklin Grove and Ashton.  A restaurant north of Rochelle was flattened, but the 12 prople inside survived.

We lost our cable and internet service Until earlier this afternoon as this area is served by our MediaCom.

I've seen pictures of the devastation and it is severe.

--RoadDog

Planting Trees in Illinois, Watching Prairie Chickens in Iowa

From the April 3, 2014, USA Today "State-By-State."

ILLINOIS-- Volunteers plan to plant more than 200 trees to replace those lost in Gifford in November's tornado. Two dozen tornadoes touched down in Illinois November 17, 2013. We didn't have a tornado, but I lost a tree that was knocked down by high winds as well as some large branches off another one that day.

IOWA-- People are invited to come out and watch prairie chickens do their courtship ritual dance at Kellerton. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources said the Annual Prairie Chicken Festival will start before dawn April 5th at the Grand River Grassland Bird Conservation Area.

Dance, Chicken, Dance!! --RoadDog

They're Tearing Down My Old School

Found out from my wife Liz on Friday, that they're tearing down part of the school I taught in for 31 years, Magee Middle School in Round Lake, Illinois. The part they're destroying was called the Fine Arts Wing where music and art were taught.

Sadly, this is the oldest school building in Round Lake, dating back to around 1905. Part of the roof was torn off by a tornado in 1928.

--RoadDog