About me
I'm based in Tulsa, Okla., where I'm involved in the Oklahoma Route 66 Association and hold memberships in several other state Route 66 organizations. My wife and I have participated in Route 66 preservation projects from northern Illinois to the Texas Panhandle. I've driven the road's full 2,200-mile length at least three times, and have explored other stretches of the Mother Road more times than I can remember. Through my many contacts on Route 66, I'm going to try to put as much fresh material on this blog as possible.
If you need to contact me, e-mail: route66news (at) yahoo (dot) com
Also, a clarification: Some have wrongly assumed that other prominent Route 66ers that I'm friends with also run this site. Yes, I do get help in getting news from others. But this is my site, and any opinions you read are mine and no one else's unless otherwise noted. Others with differing and reasonable opinions are welcome to chime in with the comments section.
[...] I have an interesting link for you, courtesy of Ron. [...]
[...] 3. Ron. And mushrooms. When I got home from work, Ron made me dinner — a big plate of sauteed mushrooms and a baked potato. Yummy. He makes the best mushrooms. [...]
I understand there’s a high school all-star football game to be played in Stroud on May 27th… the Inaugural Route 66 All Star Classic.
Hope it gets some coverage here! I plan on covering it for a small Northern Oklahoma newspaper. I’ll be glad to fill you in if you’d like….
E-mail me more information about the event, anonymous, and I’ll consider it.
Ron, I stumbled onto your blog last evening and was surpised and pleased to find all sorts of useful information on the road we all love! Thank you for doing this. I traveled Route 66 with my family during the 50’s and early 60’s back forth between LA and St. Louis. Recently my buddy and I traveled the entire route. Please have a look at our adventure at, http://www.route66roadtrip.biz
Again, thanks for your contribution to keeping The Mother Road alive!
Sincerely,
Joe Loesch
Anyone have info on Roy’s Motel in Amboy? It was recently purchased and I am wondering if any repairs have been started. I have seen pictures from August of 2005 that showed Roy’s in a somewhat sad and falling apart state. If anyone has info on whats been going on at Roy’s (if anything) since August, please post on this site or please email me at my address below. Thank you!! Greg
It’s my understanding that repairs have been going slowly, but progressing. One of the priorities is to get the gas pumps and cafe area working again, but it’s been a slow go until water service is restored. I’m going to call Albert Okura in the next few weeks and get an update.
Hi !
We are two french guys and we drove all the way from Chicago to LA through route 66 last year !
We’ve made a website about our trip !
Please, visit it and add it to the list if you like it : http://lesgarcons.free.fr/Route66/
Raphaël & Bernard
Ron, your links, photos, and articles on the Triangle Restoration are fabulous. I am so disappointed the
Triangle is no longer listed on your blog menus. Will
people scroll down to find it, or think it’s already
been taken off? We’ve emailed across the country to
tell people about it.
Two people have sent copies to us of their emails
to John Kanelis at the Amarillo Globe News. Hope that
there will be many more. One made a reservatoin for
August of 2007! How about that?
Many many thanks for your help.
Alan, the Triangle story left the front page simply because other stories came after it. But it’s still in the archives and shows up on search engines. To find it when you’re on Route 66 News, simply find the “Search” function, type in “Triangle Motel” and you should find it.
Apache Motel:
We came through New Mexico yesterday(7/17/06) on our way back to Memphis and happened to park at the Apache Motel for coffee next door. The motel has the room’s funriture for sale outside in the parking lot. We didn’t look it over and don’t know what this means for the hotel’s future but I just wanted to let you know. I took a picture of the motel with my cell phone, it came out pretty decent if you’re interested in having the pic.
Would be very interested in being on your mailing list,
Thanks!
Hello. I would like to say, I think you have a great site this is dedicated to a Highway. I dont know much about Route 66 but I have seen it in Cars, so that is much about I know about this road.
Hi
Great site about Route 66.
We are two Swedes, a father and his son, that will travel the legendary Route 66 in August and September.
We will travel in our red 1965 Volvo PV, now converted into a cabriolet Hot Rod.
See pictures, info and blog on http://hanssonroute66.blogspot.com
I was channel hopping and I came across your travel along Route 66. Very interesting. However, Ithere is somethinbg that I wanted to ask you about. I noticed that in the background of a picture of your mother, the word “Vulcania” was written. Is this the name of a ship? i came top canada in September of 1956 from Italy on a ship with the same name. Can this be the same ship? I missed if you mentioned that your mother came over in a ship. Can yo please let me know?
Thanks
This fall, 5 pre-war Austin Sevens from the UK will be driven the length of Route 66 from Chicargo to LA. We leave Chicago on the 3rd of September and plan to arrive at LA by the 21st.
If you email me I will send the full itinerary and a press release.
We will be happy to meet fellow enthusiasts ‘en route’.
Regards,
Ken Cooke
Are you aware of a movement that would actually legitimize Route 66 by bringing it back as an official U.S. Highway again? Do you have any news on that? It seems to me like I saw that somewheres but I can’t remember where I seen it now.
Nothing’s going to happen about redesignating Route 66 as a U.S. highway. All of the state associations and prominent Route 66 people are against it because redesignating it would require the old highway to conform to U.S. highway standards. This would necessitate tearing down old bridges, reconstructing roadways and razing historic businesses that would be too close to the highway.
There are a few individuals who’ve tried to tout this redesignating idea. But they are a tiny minority of the Route 66 community who haven’t yet grasped the consequences of bringing back U.S. 66.
Instead, most of the states are working on making Route 66 a national scenic byway. Just about every state has already done this or is working toward this goal, except Texas. And we hope to have Texas on board with this eventually.
Hi Ron,
WOW! Thanks for the review of our new DVD, “Old-Fashioned Fun on Route 66.” I think you did a fabulous job and I appreciate it so much. I just talked to Tom Caudle and he said he knew you and your wife and provided a sample. We will be back in Illinois for the Springfield festival. Also enjoyed reading about the preservations of barns in Illinois. You might remember the corn crib in the DVD at my farm that really needs restoration. Everyone wants to tear it down but I’m holding out to try and get some help with it. Incidentally, a man bought a copy at the Springfield Featival and took it back to the Smithsonian. they were interested so I donated a copy and am thrilled now to be in the Smithsonian Institute. THANKS AGAIN FOR YOUR KIND WORDS! This project was a labor of love.
Hi Ron, I’m Victoria in Sedona. I took a number of pictures last summer of the vintage gas stations in Holbrook AZ. I’m especially interested in the station with posts made to like petrified forest logs. Last summer the only activity I saw there was a man selling hay out of his truck parked in front. Does anyone out there know of any gas station restorations in progress along Route 66 or otherwise in Airzona? Has there been a deadline to tear down stations mandated by the ADEQ in AZ? Thanks for the information on your site.
Route 66is a great song!!!!!!!!!!
Have you seen the rootbeer named after Route 66? Of course, Root 66.
Interessando, luogo abbastanza luminoso, penso +5
u.r grate!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
strut is a cooooooooool song!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
route 66 too!!!!!!!!!!
I am 42, married, with a 5 yr and 3 1/2 yr old. Want to take the family on the whole tour of Rt. 66 for a 30 day family vacation. We are going to rent a class A motorhome. Any suggestions on stops, sights, motorhome stopovers, restaurant’s, do not miss items etc. etc. ???
and any don’ts ???
Thanks,
Dan
Ron:
I happened across your site when looking for motels in the Collins, MO area. I have an aunt that lives there, and we’re getting together for a mini family reunion, and may have to check out the Weaubleau Motel.
Thanks
Hi Ron,
I have booked a trip on a Harley along Route 66 with Eaglerider later this year. Whilst planning my holiday I found your site. It’s great, just what I need to help me find out about what I might see on my ride along the Mother Road. Your pages also give a good insight to the people and their way of life on America’s Main Street. The regular and informative updates also allow me to feel a bit more than just a tourist and help fill the long wait until I my visit. Thanks for the resource you provide.
regards,
Steve Simpson.
UK
A really HUGE THANKS to Emily for the great resource of “Route 66 for Kids.” I am a teacher in Michigan and this year my Middle School cognitively impaired kids and I are “walking” Route 66 from east to west–combining history, health, math, geography, and anything else I can throw in and find along the route (pun intended!) We are just about to cross into Kansas. I just stumbled across your blog and Emily’s resources (coloring pages and book)–what a find! It will make lesson plans much easier
THANKS again.
Hi Ron,
Looking on your ‘Attractions’ page I couldn’t help but notice you having nothing listed in Kansas. I know there are only 12.8 miles of Route 66 in Kansas but surely there are sights to see in Galena and Riverton for example? It just seems a shame that ALL of the eight states aren’t represented.
regards,
Steve Simpson
UK
Could you please post the Rt 66 Car Club show on Fathers Dat in St. Clair, MO.
June 17, 2007
Fathers Day Car Show in Orchard Park
Time: Reg. 8:00 A.M.-12 Noon
Sponsor: Route 66 Car Club
Location: Orchard Park, South Service Road, I 44 @ Exit 240 St. Clair, MO
Details: 29 Classes Open to American Made Stock or Modified cars & trucks up to 1989
3 Awards per class, plus special awards.
One entrant will win a Craftsman tool box with a 240 piece tool set.
Registration 8:00 A.M. till 12 Noon.
Free Swap Meet–Free Vendor Space
I 44 Exit 240 @ Hwy. 47 to the South Service Road St. Clair, MO
636-629-5445
Information- Call Steve Cook at 636-629-5445 or call 636-458-6729
Cost: $15 Entry Fee-$10 Display-$5 Teen- Free Spectator
Steve, when I first started the site 18 months ago, I searched and searched for Web sites along Route 66 in Kansas. Save for a few B&Bs and restaurants (which are in the Restaurants and Lodging sections), that’s all I found.
However, your point is well-taken. Perhaps some new Web sites of the Rainbow Bridge or the Galena Museum have been launched or will be soon. Let’s hope.
Hello Ron,
Just discovered your website and love it. I traveled Route 66 many years ago at the age of 13 or 14. Now, my husband and I (thanks to a suggestion from our daughter) plan on doing the entire route in June. She suggested we should do this while we are 66 years of age. So June is the last month we will both be 66. I will be checking your site for as much information as I can get before we go, so many thanks.
Walking Route66
Hi,
we love „America’s Mother Road” so we WALK it, if you want to learn more please have a look at http://www.detlev-henschel.com , diary lots of pix and PODcast later on.
Sunny days and you might see us walking along the road.
Katrin & Detlev
Ps. Tell everbody
Ron, thanks for offering to post notices of happenings on the way to the huge 2007 Rt 66 Anniversary in Clinton. We’re having one.
We plan to have a Cowboy Poetry Progam at the Triangle Motel in Amarillo on Wednesday night, June 20th, starting at 7:30. It’s 7954 Amarillo Blvd E at the east end of town. The motel won’t be open yet. There’s a lot of restoration yet to be done, but that magnificent courtyard is ideal for the program.
And many people on the road might be interested in seeing the condemned historical site and how we’re doing on it since you’ve mentioned it several times. We now have the Structural Engineer’s approval to proceed, signed and sealed, delivered to the city, and that’s a mighty important hurdle. Yu’all drop in!
Incidentally, where’s Emily’s book “Route 66 for Kids”? I thought it would be listed here to download. Would like to get it for my gkids.
Ron.Please would you make a note.We have changed our website .We also have changed our Apple Dumplins to the real old fashion style.Hope you can drop by and check us out again.
address.
Biz.googlepages.com/ginsappledumplin.com
Thanks so very much
Walter “Doc” Mason is dead at Clinton, Ok.
No further details at this time.
He was a grand fellow and I will miss him.
Michael
California Historic Post Office on Route 66 in Oro Grande is up for sale for $299.000 or submit offer. It is located on 3.3 acres on National Trails Highway and is zoned for Commercial/Industrial use. It can be restored as a residential home, a store, etc. It also has a 2000 sq ft metal building in the back of the parcel that is being rented out for additional income. Hopefully someone would be interested in purchasing and restoring this lovely building before it vanishes. The same lot also had the first Oro Grande school house which was built during the gold rush in the late 1800’s. It was a two room building and had a small cabin next door that was known as the “Teacherage”, where the school master was allowed to reside. Unfortunately the caretaker currently living on this property tore the school buildings down, not knowing their importance for the History of Route 66. If anyone is interested or can help save this building please email me at Oakhillsrealtor@yahoo.com. I have current pictures and information. Thanks!
We just finished up a complete Route 66 Trip with 20 New Beetles and had a great time. Here are my photos….
http://www.flickr.com/photos/electrasteph/collections/72157600715305194/
Hi Ron. My name is Joaquin Alonso and I´m from México City. I have a 19-months-old son who loves Cars, the Pixar´s movie, as much as myself. I never had heard about route 66 until I watched that nostalgic movie so I´m interested in some issues about it. I haven´t red enough about your website so I want to ask you if you have writen anything about what car are the Cars´characters. For instance, I know Ramone is a Chevy Impala, and Filmore is a VW Microbus, but… What car is Chief, or Flo, or Chick Hicks? I´d love to know it.
Cars is not just a tribute to Route 66. It is a whole tribute to automotive industry, including motorsports, american, european and asian cars, workers, tourists and many people involved in motor industry. Thanks for your website.
I was just wondering in what year did route 66 start and where? I know that i was on highway 66 so how started it??
I have made my first book in the Route 66 Novel Series available as a free audio download through Podiobooks.com. Those who enjoy traveling the Mother Road–but who have also moved on to the digital age–can enjoy listening to “Growing Up on Route 66″ in eight installments, each 45-60 minutes in length. “Missouri Life” praises this novel’s “funny stories of adolescence in the 1950’s.” And “Route 66 Magazine” has said, “Lund’s characters . . . bring this fascinating and beautiful part of the country to life.”
Greetings,
I thought you’d find it interesting that upon a recent visit to the Belaggio Hotel in Las Vegas, I found the atrium dedicated to a display of Route 66. The hotel features many different themes in their famous atrium, located near their lobby that range from seasons, holidays and special events.
I was delighted to find the Mother Road highlighted from an old Corvette and hot air balloons to lemonade stands surrounded by state specific trees and flowers. All of the states represented had a plaque describing their claim to fame and along with a brief history.
I don’t know how long this will stay until replaced by another theme, but if you get a chance to visit, you can enjoy a brief journey to the place that is the heartbeat of America.
Im from nz and just got back from doing rt66.absolutely amazing finally done my dream.very impressed with the attractions and the people we met along the way.The think the only thing that ready eeds done to improve it is, places like texas embracing their part of the route where they have more signage and restoration of their attractions.As far as a tourists point of veiw goes, this is the biggest part of american history which you can still experience what it wss like to live 50 years ago.It inspires people and makes you think alot about what music,fashion,style and food used to be like.i think the american govt should pump millions into it and market the route as one of its biggest tourist destinations as its so unvalued and unestimated.long live the route forever, i hope to do it again in 10 years with hopefully most of it still there.
Please note that the old Jesse’s Cafe in Wildorado, TX has reopened!
Dr. Dan and Suzi Gilliam opened Suzi’s Que in June of 2007 and specialize in pulled pork BBQ, chicken fried steaks, and home-made pies. Open Tue - Fri 10 AM to 8 PM and weekends from 7 AM to 8 PM. Truck and RV Parking. South service road of I-40, exit 49 along the pathway of Rt 66. Truckers and busy soccer moms can call ahead to have orders waiting. Thanks for spreading the word
Continuation of message 44. Thanks for spreading the word about Suzi’s Que in Wildorado. Phone 806-426-0099
The best site yet on Historic Route 66. Very nice Site. Thanks for the entertaining look at Route 66. I haven’t seen anything about Chili Willy’s in Baxter Spring’s Ks. Very nice, small, original diner. That also serves great home cooked foods. There best customer is me.
HipHamp
47.Gin’s Apple Dumplin Restaraunt
This place is awesome ,home style fixin’s.hwy 66 ,1 blk north of Blue Whale in Catoosa Okla.918-266-4414
thanks ya al.
http://www.gins.dine.com
Ron - here’s a thought - there are several motels on Route 66 on the edge of Tulsa and Sapulpa near Town West that are havens for sex offenders - maybe the Route 66 travelers should be aware of that so they don’t rent a room at any of them?… Some time back, one of the offenders staying there actually kidnapped a woman from a hospital parking lot and took her back there and raped her. Maybe these places don’t rent to the public?… I haven’t checked but it is a safety issue there right on Route 66. And these are the old motor court style motels with the neon lights and everything so I could see Route 66 travelers migrating towards them….
Country Girl, I’m not going to give a warning for reasons I’m about to describe.
1) I already have a list of recommended Route 66 motels on the Web site, on the Lodging page. It’s easier and less time-consuming to tell about the consistently good places.
2) Random crime can occur anywhere, including the best spots on the Mother Road. With that in mind, I’ve found no real evidence that the Town West Motels are particularly dangerous.
3) It’s come to my attention that many of registered sex offenders are convicted of nonviolent crimes. The state of Oklahoma’’s sex offender laws do not distinguish between rape and a tipsy imbiber who’s busted for urinating in public.
4) Registered sex offenders who are out of jail are on probation, and have incentive to be on their best law-abiding behavior.
5) The Town West sex-offender situation probably will be moot in a month or so. The city of Sapulpa built a park near those motels, and state law dictates that those offenders will probably have to move, barring any last-minute court action.
The basic rule for choosing an unfamiliar Route 66 motel applies no matter where you are. Ask for a room inspection before paying for it. If the motel manager refuses, or if the inspection reveals troubling things, go elsewhere.
Points well taken on motel safety. Your advice is very excellent.
Forgive the panic button comment. I’m a woman with a deployed husband and finding myself traveling alone with my daughter and it freaked me out when I learned of this. Made me wonder with the sex offender laws and rules how many are being forced into accomodation situations like this and mingling with unsuspecting travelers. Shamefully, a B rated horror show began running through my mind immediately compounded by the Halloween season fraught with ghoulish drama.
Feel free to delete my comment(s) including this one - now that I’ve gotten past jerk knee reaction, I feel rather silly.
Hi, I’m Sandy Penny. My friend Ron Chavez is a poet and author with a new book coming out with stories of the indomitable spirit of the people who live along route 66. The book is “A Time of Triumph.” Ron Chavez used to own the Club Cafe in Santa Rosa NM and was know for his Fat Man signs, and he was called The Route 66 Storyteller. It was big news when his business failed when the highway bypassed him and McDonald’s hit town, but his indomitable spirit kept telling the stories of Route 66, and like the mythical phoenix, he has risen from the ashes of that trial. His book of stories about the people he met along the Mother Road is a testament to the strength of the human spirit of the people living in the remote areas that 66 passes through. Could you share his blog sites and info with others? He’s determined to keep 66 alive in the hearts of America. Thanks.
I am looking for the bumber stickers that were in the antique store ‘Radiator Springs Curio’ in the movie “Cars”…”Get your Kicks on Route 66″, “I’m not Speeding, I’m Qualifying” among others and the ones on George Carlin’s van.
Anyone know where to purchase them?
I’m looking for Dan Imming of Galena, Kansas who may be the person who had the website http://www.vintage-vee.com that is no longer accessible.
The website was for old Formula Vee race cars. He posted an article about a race in Watkins Glen.
Thank you
Hi, i’m Davide from Italy. I’m writing you because i’d like to present you my blog that as more or less the same aim of your. As i told you i live in italy but i’ve been three times in usa and i’ve seen 25 states. In my blog i write my experience and i give the possibility to the user to came in contact with me. I’d like you and your visitor to take a look and to told your / their opinion about my work….For me it would be great to know some usa people….
the address of the blog is the following
http://www.route66blog.net
I hope you would find it interesting
Thank you!
Davide
This is for “Joe” looking for me, Dan Imming.
Yes, I do live on Route 66 in Galena, KS and yes, I used to race and document vintage Formula Vee race cars. If you’ll leave your e-mail address in another post, I’ll contact you by private message.
Dan Imming
galena Ron,
Hi its Renee with 4 Women on the Route. Galena,Ks does have several web sites…not only ours but the Galena school district , the
Galena Library which has an excellent geneology department,and The Galena Sentinal Times. And we are just busting out with history. Hope to see you again out our place soon.
Hi, My husband and I are keen to do a tour of route 66. I was looking on your web site and seen you do these tours. We would be flying from New Zealand to LAX, but we would fly out of LAX to New Zealand as we would like to stay in LA tgo visit a friewnd before departing for home. Can you please give me a pricing schedule for a bus tour from Chicargo to LA. We would probably be looking this around June/July 2008.
I look forwrd to your reply and any assistance you could giove us to acheive our goal.
Many thanks
Raewyn
Raewyn, I don’t do Route 66 bus tours, nor have I ever. If you check with travel agencies, they might help you.
Hey there .. I am the webmaster of the site devoted to the pop band Christie, who had a worldwide hit in 1970 called San Bernadino. After a massive campaign by the SB council, the song has been adopted as the city’s official song. Plans are underway for the writer, Jeff Christie, to have a road named after him, and I believe someone suggested Jeff be brought in one year to kick off the Route 66 celebrations.
There are also several clips of Christie singing San Bernadino at:
http://www.youtube.com/yowieray
Note that Christie is NOT related to Tony Christie, who sang Amarillo.
Check out the old Linvingston High School It is now the Pink Elephant Antique Mall its off old Rt.66 Livingston Il.
You’ve been tagged:
http://timpanogos.wordpress.com/2008/03/01/tagged-by-myers-to-do-history-meet-james-madison/
I hope a few more people come over to see what you do here. This is a site I often recommend to students, though I wish I had a lot more reasons to do it in the course of my classes (in world history, U.S. history, psychology and economics).
hi Adrienne and the cheetah girls!!!!!!!!!!!!i love all of you so much i wish i could see all of you in real life but i dont know where to go find you!yall dont know how much i love all of you i wish you were my sisters but anyway i am still proud because you all are my sisters in gods way i love fuego,amigas,cheetah licous christmas i love it i love how you sing and dance i wish i was in your crew!!!!!!!!please come to the orlando library as much as you can so i can come and see you my cousin said that she saw you so i wanted to see a pop-star also she got me crazy lol i want to see you so bad please read this and reply!i never in my life saw a star so i want to have a chance seeing one
Hello. I just came across your site and was very impressed by all the historic documentiation you have on Route 66 and more. Most people overlook the significance of historic highways, buildings and such and way they have affected our way of life. Thanks for the all of the insight!
Thanks for mentioning me on Wayne Hancock’s TULSA album. I did do the signs, as well as the cover.
My url is roadhouserelics.com, not roadsiderelics.com.
Keep up the great work!
Todd Sanders
Road House Relics