Welcome to the Route 66 Association of Missouri Blog

Welcome to our blog for news of what is going on in our association and all over Route 66. Opinions expressed on this blog are those of the individual posters and may not represent the views of the Route 66 Association of Missouri. Please also visit our web site!

New Release From M.M. Gornell

Lies of Convenience

Lies of Convenience available in Paper and eBook

Available at:
Amazon 

Smashwords 

 B&N 

And signed copies by emailing Author directly mmgornell@earthlink.net

Website: http://www.mmgornell.com
BLOG: http://www.mmgornell.wordpress.com

Our Town, Your Town Celebration in Lebanon

The Lebanon Area Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce the Inaugural Our Town, Your Town Celebration on Saturday, June 9, 2012 4:00 – 10:00 pm at the Floyd W. Jones Memorial Airport.

• FREE Contemporary Christian Concert with 33 MILES
• Truelove Quartet of Lebanon
• Antique Car & Truck Exhibit
• Concessions Available
• Games, Inflatable’s & More
• FREE FIREWORKS
• Bring your lawn chair and plan to stay for a good time

Information on exhibiting your historic vehicle

Parade information

Missouri Route 66 Corridor Management Plan Released

The development of this document, the Missouri Route 66 Corridor Management Plan, has been the undertaking of the Route 66 Association of Missouri, funded by the Federal Highway Administration, and administered by Missouri Department of Transportation. The document was prepared by Great River Associates under the direction of Spencer Jones, P.E. and Jerany Jackson, ASLA, MBA.

The ultimate intent of this document is to recognize, protect, and promote Missouri’s Route 66 as one of America’s most outstanding roads. All the information discussed has been compiled into this corridor management plan in an effort to identify the significance of Missouri Route 66.

This plan is a required step in the Missouri Route 66 formal application for the National Scenic Byway Program. This program recognizes two types of byways; National Scenic Byways and All-American Roads. It is the goal of this document
to represent that the Missouri Route 66 meets and exceeds the requirements for recognition as an All-American Road. Recognition as such accesses funding opportunities that will highlight and market the intrinsic resources of the Route thereby creating interest and economic growth along the corridor.

Read the Plan

Volume I

Preface

Introduction

History

Public Involvement

Intrinsic Resources

Corridor Mapping

Existing Conditions

Wayfinding

Education

Marketing & Promotional Branding

Economic Development

Toolbox

Appendix

Driving Map

Volume II

St. Louis County

Franklin County

Crawford County

Phelps County

Pulaski County

Laclede County

Webster County

Greene County

Lawrence County

Jasper County

Lile Art Gallery has New Location in Amarillo, Texas

LILE ART GALLERY (owned and operated by Route 66 enthusiast Crocodile Lile), has moved from Sunset Center Art Galleries to Old Route 66 in Amarillo, the new address is:  2719 SW 6th Avenue in the Historic San Jacinto District.  The new location is just one half block west of Georgia Street on the south side between the 6th Street Antique Mall & Amarillo’s Route 66 Store & directly across the street from the Amarillo Coin Exchange.  Lile is looking forward to meeting Route 66 tour groups as well as individuals, families and local shoppers. 

 

Artists represented:  World Renowned Sculptor LINCOLN FOX; Muralist/Photo-Realism painter DOUG QUARLES; Pastel Painter SHARON QUARLES; Watercolorist PETE MORRIS; BOB WALDMIRE’S Route 66 Prints; Photographers JIM HINKLEY & GORDON RADFORD.  LILE is an Abstract Colorist Painter and is known internationally for his Route 66 X-Ray Giclee Prints & Cadillac Ranch Collages, his work is in collections in Australia, Japan, Europe and several states. 

 

Lile began his art career in 1968 under the tutelage of DORD FITZ and studied with Fitz until his death in 1989.  Workshops attended include:  Famed Sculptor LOUISE NEVELSON, Painters ELAINE DEKOONING, MACK STEWART, ROBERT DASH, NICK KRUSHINICK, HEDDA STERNE & LAWRENCE CALCAGNO.

 

In addition to Fine Art, Lile Art Gallery will also handle Route 66 Jewelry, ‘Buffalo Road’ Conchos & Snaps for the discriminating biker, TAW Promotion’s Route 66 Caps & Tee Shirts, Route 66 Chambray Shirts as well as other Route 66 Merchandise.      

 

Route 66 Detour in Oklahoma

From Jerry McClanahan (www.mcjerry66.com):

“Route 66,on the east side of Chandler, OK, (about 4 miles west of Davenport) will be closed for about a MONTH.

ODOT is replacing a bridge on OK 66, and, depending on the weather, will close 66 into town from the east for approx 30 days, beginning on April 25.

Trucks and drivers who don’t read this will be detoured via OK 99 south from Stroud, then west on US 62 and north on Hwy 18 back up to Chandler (or they could use the turnpike). But Route 66 tourists can use the following detour on PAVED county roads, which only adds 2 miles to the trip.

USE CAUTION. This narrow two lane may be busy at times with local traffic. I am not responsible for accidents.

WB

In Stroud, continue west on 66 thru the intersection with SH 99 (ignore the detour signs) and follow OK 66 west from Stroud and thru Davenport.

About 3.5 miles west of Davenport, turn right on Co Rd 3470 (sign: “NORTH CENTRAL REGIONAL AIRPORT”). This is just east of the railroad underpass on the east side of Chandler. The sign posted just past this corner says “Bridge Closed to all TRAFFIC ON sh-66 1/2 MILE AHEAD”

NO TRUCKS allowed on this route.

Go one mile, then left on CO RD 890. Caution: This turn is just before the pavement ends, at the airport buildings.

Go one mile, then left on CO RD 3460.

Go one mile (STOP. LOOK and LISTEN at the railroad grade crossing en route) and then turn right back onto OK 66 (at the Wal Mart) and continue into Chandler.

EB:

Ignore the detour sign at SH-18 and continue on thru Chandler on 66.

Just past the Wal Mart, turn LEFT on CO RD 3460(the warning sign says “bridge closed….1/2 mile ahead”.

No Trucks.

Go One mile (caution at the RR track)and turn right on CO Rd 890

Go One mile and turn right on Co Rd 3470 (at the airport).

Go one mile, then left back onto 66.

Please don’t skip Chandler and Davenport!”

Edwardsville Route 66 Festival

From the Edwardsville Parks and Recreation department:

“Thursday June 7th, 2012 “Sock Hop” Kick Off Party at Crystal Gardens (1230 University Dr. Edwardsville, IL 62025)

Friday & Saturday, June 8th & 9th, 2012 at City Park (101 Buchanan St. Edwardsville, IL 62025)

It’s back!! Tell your friends, family and neighbors to meet you at Edwardsville City Park for good food, good drink and good times. The park will once again play host to this two-day festival highlighting Edwardsville’s place on the historic Mother Road.

Activities will include:

•A variety of food and drink for sale
•Live stage entertainment
•Children’s activity area
•Art vendors
•Historic displays
•10k run
•Classic car show and cruise
•Washers Tournament

If you are interested in being a part of the Route 66 Festival, please call the Parks Office at 618.692.7538 or email at parks@cityofedwardsville.com

For information please visit the www.cityofedwardsville.com or www.edwardsvilleroute66.com.”

The Yellowstone Trail is 100 Years Old!

From the Yellowstone Trail Association:

“Did you know that your town may possess a national treasure? The Yellowstone Trail (1912-1930) may have ran right through your city, down the main street of most smaller towns. The Trail was born at a time when private citizens had to form organizations to push counties to get long distance roads built. Federal and state governments would not help, pleading lack of funds or the unconstitutionality of “internal improvements.” Roads were terrible: mud or dust everywhere. Ever hear of drivers’ coats called “dusters?” The Yellowstone Trail Association’s 8000 members persuaded counties across the upper tier of states to create roads that actually joined together. Thus, they formed a route of 3600 miles “Good Road from Plymouth Rock to Puget Sound,” their motto.

It became such a popular coast-to-coast route that towns fought to get on the Trail. Roads meant a better way for farmers to get produce to the railhead, less isolation, more possibility for business, a broader horizon, and Saturday night movies at a nearby town. When told that Indiana had more cars than bathtubs, a rural woman replied, “Well, you can’t take a bathtub to town.” Today, there are still many reminders of the Trail in local street or business names.

Now the route is 100 years old and towns along the Trail are marking the event. Local historical societies, travel promoters like Convention and Visitors Bureaus and Chambers of Commerce are sponsoring events that vary from putting banners on streets, to holding antique car runs along the Trail, to having community picnics.

We urge your town to hold an event in honor of this national treasure, the Yellowstone Trail. Get engaged in local history.  Pull out grandpa’s travel diary and pictures. Mark the Trail with signs. Promote area tourism to stimulate some economic development. If Gascoyne, North Dakota, a hamlet of 12 people, can mark their spot on the trail, surely the rest of us should.

What about it? Anyone want to lead?

See www.yellowstonetrail.org for general historic information. Send a note to info@yellowstonetrail.org  to share plans and ideas.”

Fit and Healthy on Route 66 – Floating the Meramec River

Meramec River Float

On Saturday, April 7, 2012, I joined members of the St. Louis Adventure Group (SLAG) for a float on the Meramec River. The Meramec is a prominent feature of the Route 66 corridor from Phelps County to St. Louis County, where it makes it’s way toward the Mississippi River. It is visible from Route 66 in St. Louis County and crosses paths at Valley Park and Route 66 State Park. Once you leave St. Louis County you will have to travel a little way off of Route 66 to see the Meramec River at spots such as Onondaga Cave State Park, Meramec State Park or Robertsville State Park. In between the parks are additional points where you can put in and take out boats.

The Missouri Department of Conservation has provided maps to show where the put-in points are. On our April 7 float, we put in at Pacific Palisades Conservation Area (147.3 on the map below) and Allenton Access (154.2).

Meramec River Access Points
(click for larger image)

This was a fairly short float. We stretched it into about three hours by really taking our time. It was also easy – there are only a few spots where you really have to pay attention to navigate around snags that always seem to be right where the current is swiftest! Our group was made up of experienced paddlers but the Meramec River should always be respected regardless of experience level – it is deep and fast enough to drown people, so if you are going to float it please be sober, make sure you can swim, and use a personal floatation device. You might consider carrying a knife on your person to cut yourself free in case you get tangled in anything. Read here for more safety tips and legal guidelines.

After the float, several members of our group headed to Super Smokers (a Route 66 Association of Missouri Business Member) for a delicious BBQ dinner. We were very impressed by the swiftness at which they served our large group. The food was fantastic!

If you would like to try one of Missouri’s many beautiful float streams but don’t own a boat or need a shuttle, check out our list of Business Members – there are a couple of outfitters on there who will happy to tell you about their offerings.

See photos of our float:

Carolyn’s photos

SLAG member photos

ROUTE 66 … An adventure for the whole family

People come from around the world to experience the thrill of traveling the most famous of all highways, Route 66.

On June 8-9-10, the Route 66 Association of Illinois will provide to you an opportunity that others can only dream of.

The Illinois motor tour of Route 66 is a once a year opportunity to experience life in the slow lane. You can virtually step back in time. Visit people and places that the song. “Get Your Kicks on Route 66”, was written about. The cruise is available to any kind of vehicle of any year. The tour begins at the Missouri border on the Mississippi river and ends at the delightful town of Elwood, Illinois. That is just south of Joliet, Illinois. These towns are famous for Jake and Elwood, the “Blues Brothers”.

Friday June 8th is the start of this adventure. It begins in Edwardsville, Illinois. This town will welcome you and show you how to party, dance, sing and eat. After registration on Friday night we will get together for a short drive to the Luna Café for the second grand relighting of the old neon sign, which was just restored. Sunday June 10th the tour will end with a fantastic thank you party. Live foot stomping music, great food and more fun. Your final ride home will be very pleasant as you reminisce about all that you did, along with remembering all the people and places you visited.

You will long remember this weekend tour of Route 66. For information and registration… contact;

Jerry Law – 314-440-0040 or Email – thelaw1@sbcglobal.net
Marty Blitstein – 708-444-1312 or Email – blitz@earthlink.net
You can print out a application for the motor tour at www.ilassoc.org

The historic Mother Road is expecting you!

Route 66 Icon in Needles Gets a Makeover

66 Motel Sign in Needles, CA

Needles, Calif. – Many folks simply slow down and stare. Some even honk their horns and wave. They are waving to a man, 25′ off the ground painting a sign. And yet this is not your ordinary run of the mill sign. It just happens to be one of Needle’s most famous signs.

Ed Klein came to Needles in January 2011 on a request. The request came from Linda Fitzpatrick, a resident of Needles who was trying to figure out ideas on how to grab the estimated 40,000 travelers who make Route 66 their annual pilgrimage. Her plan was to restore the old abandoned gas station on the corner of Dobson and Broadway – or famously known as ‘Carty’s Camp’.

When Ed and Linda met, the ideas started to flow about how to get travelers to stop and enjoy the history Needles had to offer its Route 66 travelers. After a few hours of brain-storming and several return visits back to the gas station, Ed asked Linda what the plans were for the old 66 Motel sign, as he put it, ‘had seen better days’.

“I looked at the sign and felt it was a shame such a classic and iconic sign as this one on the route was looking as beat down as it did. I had to figure something out,” said Klein. “The restoration of the gas station would be a very large project over a few years, but the sign could be done in a few months.”

Klein is the owner of a website dedicated to the preservation and travel information on Route 66 (route66world.com) and has had his hands in several restoration projects along the route.

After a few weeks of preparation, several phone calls to the 66 Motel owner as well as Linda Fitzpatrick, Klein and his wife set on their 5 hour drive to Needles.

Starting off the weekend was figuring out the old neon and wiring which at one time pumped vibrant life into the glowing sign. Most of it was disconnected, broken, or simply cut.

“We spent a good few hours trying to figure out the wiring and removal of the neon. I need to keep as many pieces intact to have them recreated.” Klein said.

The one factor Klein did not consider was the wind this weekend. Wind gusts of up to 35 MPH hit late in the afternoon and proceeded to continue through Sunday. The wind blew hard throughout the southern part of California and Needles would not the exception. It blew hard enough Klein had to stop the painting early due to fears he might be blown of his 32′ ladder which was leaning up against the sign.

The historic sign will go through a total restoration. Klein told me he will do this in three phases. The first two phases will be painting and getting the neon ready and the third phase will be installing and lighting the neon, which will be the first time it has been on in over 15 years.

This total restoration is not costing the owner of the motel or the town of Needles a dime. Klein said he was paying for the paint out of his pocket as a ‘donation’ to the route and the town, and there will be a fundraising event via his website to raise money to pay for the neon, electronics, and installation.

“You would not believe the wave of support when I mentioned what I wanted to do to this sign. I have heard from travelers all around the world who want to help out with this restoration and there are so many historic businesses along the route who are donating their items for donors. They are all giving back to what we all care about so much, and that is the preservation of a true American icon. You will not meet the nicest, passionate people than those who live on, work on and drive Route 66″ Klein added.