Although the music doesn’t really work with the imagery, and they “went backwards” from LA to Chicago, this is a fun representation of all (or at least most) of the city limit signs you will encounter all along route 66. (Thanks to Ron…
One of my favorite things to look for while traveling the backroads is to look for great old neon signs. It’s the craftsmanship, the typography, the enthusiasm that all makes my heart sing. While Amarillo isn’t quite as prolific as Albuquerque or Tucumcari, it does…
Sandhills Curio Shop 201 S Sheb Wooley St Erick, OK (580) 526-3738 Souvenirs, Inspiration for “Cars” character Be sure to stop and visit “Mediocre Music Makers” Annabell and Harley Russell and their magnificent collection of everything. Signage decks out the exterior of the building making…
Afton’s Eagle (DX) Service Station 12 SE 1st St Afton, OK (918) 257-4044 Opened in the 30s, the Eagle service station was open for almost 60 years. Today it is a Route 66 visitor center, thanks to the preservation efforts of Laurel and David Kane….
Gardenway Motel 2958 Highway 100 Villa Ridge, MO (636) 742-4388 Classic sign The Gardenway Motel was once an ultra-modern motel at the western end of the Henry Shaw Gardenway, (a park-like section of old Route 66.) Today, the clientele tend to be more of the…
Opened in 1889, The Berghoff’s is Chicago’s oldest restaurant, serving fine German food and celebrated their Dortmunder-style beer in the heart of the Loop to Route 66 travelers since the beginning. And they have a killer neon sign. Serving lunch and dinner Full bar Restaurant: Monday…
The sign is iconic, and the grandeur often leaves its visitors in awe. The vertical sign “C-H-I-C-A-G-O,” at nearly six stories high, is one of the few such signs in existence today. Chicago Theater 175 North State Street Chicago, IL 60601 (312) 462-6300 http://www.thechicagotheatre.com The elegant…
Located near the beginning of Route 66. Its classic neon sign boasts “Serving the World’s Finest Coffee,” Lou Mitchell’s classic diner has been open in Chicago since 1923 (at it’s current location since 1950.) The constant crowds reinforce the truth: the skillet-served meals are really,…
Welcome to Illinois 66! Currently Adams Street at Michigan Avenue is marked as the starting point, Route 66 never officially departed from there. The start of Route 66 has moved a few times. First, Route 66 began on Jackson Blvd. at Michigan Ave. In 1933,…
There is something about Michigan that I love…maybe it’s because it can’t be a “drive-thru” state, (those pesky great lakes flanking it makes it hard), but there is an authentic aura that is everywhere. Gentrification hasn’t taken over the resort areas, people are genuinely friendly,…