Travel Route 66 in Texas
Disney/Pixar's smash movie "Cars" captured the magic of Route 66 perfectly. What was once a popular highway is now a bygone of yesteryear. Sure, Route 66 is there, but some of the diners and restaurants that lured in weary drivers are gone or going. The towns do not receive the tourism they once did.
During your visit to Texas, why not travel across the Panhandle Plains by way of the old Route 66? The old route has changed slightly, but approximately 150 miles of this famous roadway is open to traffic and sees a number of tourists passing through every year. The Texas tourism industry often overlooks activities such as traveling Route 66, but you don't have to!
Traveling west to east across the Texas Panhandle, Texan visitors will start in Glenrock and wind up in Shamrock. There over a dozen of towns or cities along the way:
• Glenrio: Many feel that Glenrio is a true ghost town. Former buildings, including the popular Old Motel is overcome with weeds and falling to the ground. This is the final town before crossing the border into New Mexico.
• Adrian: Despite the odds, Adrian still does well. Many Route 66 era buildings still exist. The Bent Door Trading Post, the hottest business during this time shut down but has since reopened. At the time, the 24/7 business drew lots of travelers with its amazing lemon meringue pie. The Bent Door will replicate the 1950s diner.
• Vega: After the interstate opened, Vega lost all hope of remaining a thriving town. With three motels, numerous gas stations and cafes galore, the town saw many travelers in past decades. The Old Roadrunner Drive-In now sits empty, as so many other area businesses. Only the Vega Motel still gains a strong clientele. Dot's Mini Museum is located in the former Vega Zero Lockers store, a store where area residents could rent freezer storage space.
• Bushland: Bushland is named for its two founders, W.H. Bush and C.B. Bush. Sadly, the town is virtually a ghost town now with abandoned Route 66 era gas stations and stores scattering the landscape.
• Amarillo: Route 66 comes to a dead end in Amarillo because of the Rick Husband International Airport. Travelers will have to use Interstate 40 to bypass the dead end section. Ruth's Steaks was one of the city's most popular restaurants during this time. The Aviatrix was another hot spot as waitresses on roller skates quickly served food to hungry drivers and their passengers. Rice's Dining Salon served an impressive turkey stuffing complete with chopped up pickles. It was The Big Texan that drew in thousands of hungry travelers every year. Diners were offered a free 72-ounce steak providing they could clear their plate of the steak, baked potato, roll and green salad.
• Conway: After the development of the interstate, Conway got lost in the mix. In the 1940s, Conway's business area thrived because they were the last town between Groom and Amarillo for those needing gas. Buildings left over from this time were vacated long ago. The Bug Ranch still draws attraction. Mimicking the Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, the Bug Ranch has rows of VW Bugs buried nose deep in the dirt.
• Groom: Founded in the early 1900s, Groom was a railroad town with a population of 500 or so. Most of the attractions in Groom are gone. The last building, the Tower Lounge and Restaurant was destroyed in a fire, but the sign remains. Golden Spread Grill was popular back then. Locals and travelers could come in for a cup of coffee and a slice of the owner's decadent pecan pie.
• Jericho Gap: Between Alanreed and Groom laid the town of Jericho. Travelers dreaded this area because the road would get extremely muddy and most drivers would get stuck in the mud. Area ranchers could earn a good profit helping free stuck cars from the muddy roads. Jericho Gap is now private property and not open to tourists.
• Alanreed: Few remnants of Route 66 remain in Alanreed. Most buildings are gone or vacated, but recent efforts by the Historic Route 66 Association have allowed the Route 66 gas station within the town to be completely restored. The Route 66 playground is great for children needing to stretch their legs.
• McLean: The hottest attraction in McLean is the Route 66 Museum. Many nostalgic pieces from decades earlier are on display. The McLean-Alan Reed Historical Museum is another attraction. One area resident, the man who donated the land to found the town of McLean was killed when the Titanic went down. The museum has an exhibit dedicated to his memory. Café 66 was one of the hot restaurants during the 1930s. McLean Café and Greyhound Drug were other popular establishments. Greyhound Drug has a special area in the basement where diners could enjoy a country fried steak meal for as little as $1.95. The meal included fries, a green salad and onion rings. It was deals like this that made McLean a hot spot for hungry travelers!
• Shamrock: Shamrock's first business, the U Drop Inn, opened in 1936. For years, the thriving town had numerous businesses that provided travelers and locals with excellent food, a variety of shops and a Labor Day parade that drew in hundreds. In its heyday, Shamrock had close to two dozen restaurants or cafes available. Casey Steakhouse, Porterhouse Drive-In and Dixie Café were other area staples. Today, the town's rich Irish heritage is one of the main draws. St. Patrick's Day is a major festivity within the town. U-Drop Inn and the adjacent Tower Station are still standing, though the building houses the Visitor's Bureau and a gift shop.
Historic Route 66 may be disappearing in bits and pieces, but due to preservation efforts from many groups, much of this endearing highway is in great condition and takes visitors back in time. Bypass the busier routes, highways and interstates and travel down historic Route 66. It may take longer, but it is an experience you will never forget.
Travel Route 66
During your visit to Texas, why not travel across the Panhandle Plains by way of the old Route 66? The old route has changed slightly, but approximately 150 miles of this famous roadway is open to traffic and sees a number of tourists passing through every year. The Texas tourism industry often overlooks activities such as traveling Route 66, but you don't have to!
Traveling west to east across the Texas Panhandle, Texan visitors will start in Glenrock and wind up in Shamrock. There over a dozen of towns or cities along the way:
• Glenrio: Many feel that Glenrio is a true ghost town. Former buildings, including the popular Old Motel is overcome with weeds and falling to the ground. This is the final town before crossing the border into New Mexico.
• Adrian: Despite the odds, Adrian still does well. Many Route 66 era buildings still exist. The Bent Door Trading Post, the hottest business during this time shut down but has since reopened. At the time, the 24/7 business drew lots of travelers with its amazing lemon meringue pie. The Bent Door will replicate the 1950s diner.
• Vega: After the interstate opened, Vega lost all hope of remaining a thriving town. With three motels, numerous gas stations and cafes galore, the town saw many travelers in past decades. The Old Roadrunner Drive-In now sits empty, as so many other area businesses. Only the Vega Motel still gains a strong clientele. Dot's Mini Museum is located in the former Vega Zero Lockers store, a store where area residents could rent freezer storage space.
• Bushland: Bushland is named for its two founders, W.H. Bush and C.B. Bush. Sadly, the town is virtually a ghost town now with abandoned Route 66 era gas stations and stores scattering the landscape.
• Amarillo: Route 66 comes to a dead end in Amarillo because of the Rick Husband International Airport. Travelers will have to use Interstate 40 to bypass the dead end section. Ruth's Steaks was one of the city's most popular restaurants during this time. The Aviatrix was another hot spot as waitresses on roller skates quickly served food to hungry drivers and their passengers. Rice's Dining Salon served an impressive turkey stuffing complete with chopped up pickles. It was The Big Texan that drew in thousands of hungry travelers every year. Diners were offered a free 72-ounce steak providing they could clear their plate of the steak, baked potato, roll and green salad.
• Conway: After the development of the interstate, Conway got lost in the mix. In the 1940s, Conway's business area thrived because they were the last town between Groom and Amarillo for those needing gas. Buildings left over from this time were vacated long ago. The Bug Ranch still draws attraction. Mimicking the Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, the Bug Ranch has rows of VW Bugs buried nose deep in the dirt.
• Groom: Founded in the early 1900s, Groom was a railroad town with a population of 500 or so. Most of the attractions in Groom are gone. The last building, the Tower Lounge and Restaurant was destroyed in a fire, but the sign remains. Golden Spread Grill was popular back then. Locals and travelers could come in for a cup of coffee and a slice of the owner's decadent pecan pie.
• Jericho Gap: Between Alanreed and Groom laid the town of Jericho. Travelers dreaded this area because the road would get extremely muddy and most drivers would get stuck in the mud. Area ranchers could earn a good profit helping free stuck cars from the muddy roads. Jericho Gap is now private property and not open to tourists.
• Alanreed: Few remnants of Route 66 remain in Alanreed. Most buildings are gone or vacated, but recent efforts by the Historic Route 66 Association have allowed the Route 66 gas station within the town to be completely restored. The Route 66 playground is great for children needing to stretch their legs.
• McLean: The hottest attraction in McLean is the Route 66 Museum. Many nostalgic pieces from decades earlier are on display. The McLean-Alan Reed Historical Museum is another attraction. One area resident, the man who donated the land to found the town of McLean was killed when the Titanic went down. The museum has an exhibit dedicated to his memory. Café 66 was one of the hot restaurants during the 1930s. McLean Café and Greyhound Drug were other popular establishments. Greyhound Drug has a special area in the basement where diners could enjoy a country fried steak meal for as little as $1.95. The meal included fries, a green salad and onion rings. It was deals like this that made McLean a hot spot for hungry travelers!
• Shamrock: Shamrock's first business, the U Drop Inn, opened in 1936. For years, the thriving town had numerous businesses that provided travelers and locals with excellent food, a variety of shops and a Labor Day parade that drew in hundreds. In its heyday, Shamrock had close to two dozen restaurants or cafes available. Casey Steakhouse, Porterhouse Drive-In and Dixie Café were other area staples. Today, the town's rich Irish heritage is one of the main draws. St. Patrick's Day is a major festivity within the town. U-Drop Inn and the adjacent Tower Station are still standing, though the building houses the Visitor's Bureau and a gift shop.
Historic Route 66 may be disappearing in bits and pieces, but due to preservation efforts from many groups, much of this endearing highway is in great condition and takes visitors back in time. Bypass the busier routes, highways and interstates and travel down historic Route 66. It may take longer, but it is an experience you will never forget.
Travel Route 66
