ROUTE Magazine

Our editor, Brennen Matthews, and family were recently in Luther, OK, visiting the Threatt Filling Station. What a treat it must have been to spend some time with Edward Threatt Sr. He is leading the family's charge these days and doing a wonderful job. Check out their story in the June/July issue! It is a fascinating one.

The sign still stands. Its message faded. Its lights long extinguished.

For nearly half a century, the Chelsea Motel has sat abandoned beside Route 66, quietly watching generations of travelers pass by. Most drive on.

Some can’t.

They come for the sign. For the photographs. For a glimpse into a forgotten chapter of Route 66. Standing there, it’s hard not to ask the question:

What’s the story behind this place?

The answer begins with a woman who saw opportunity in an empty field.

And today, nearly fifty years after the motel closed, new owners are exploring the possibility of a second chance.

👉👉👉We tell the full story in the June/July issue of ROUTE Magazine.

📍Available at your local Barnes and Noble or from independent retailers along Route 66.

This week, the Route 66 community lost two beloved champions of the Mother Road whose lives and work helped preserve its history, stories, and spirit for future generations.

🕊️Blaine Davis, longtime caretaker of Oklahoma's iconic Blue Whale of Catoosa and a dedicated Route 66 preservationist, was the son of Hugh and Zelta Davis. Route 66 travelers know the story well: Hugh built the Blue Whale as a gift for his wife, Zelta, creating what would become one of the Mother Road's most beloved landmarks. Blaine carried that legacy forward for decades, serving as the Whale's caretaker and steward while sharing its history with visitors from around the world. We were honored to work with Blaine on ROUTE Magazine's feature on the Blue Whale, where he shared his deep knowledge, personal memories, and unwavering passion for preserving his family's remarkable legacy.

🕊️Dr. T. Lindsay Baker was not only one of the foremost historians of Route 66 and the American roadside, but also a respected author of numerous books, including Eating Up Route 66 and also a valued contributor to ROUTE Magazine. We were honored to have collaborated with him to bring some of these stories to you. At the time of his passing, Lindsay was proudly representing Texas in the Route 66 Centennial Caravan traveling the Mother Road in his beloved 1930 Model A Woody Station Wagon—a fitting tribute to a life devoted to preserving America's Main Street.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to the Davis and Baker families, their friends, and the many Route 66 organizations and businesses fortunate enough to call them members, colleagues, and friends.

Rest easy, gentlemen. Thank you for everything you gave to the road we all love.

🚗 Route 66 travelers!

If you’re traveling Route 66 and passing through Bloomington, Illinois, here’s a quick stop worth making 🙂

The Best of Route 66: Centennial Guide 2026 is available at Barnes & Noble—ready to help you experience the highlights of the Mother Road!

Wishing you safe and memorable travels!
Historic Route 66 Visit BN Route 66 Travelers

Route 66 fans, take note!

The centennial edition of The Best of Route 66: 1926–2026 is available now at Barnes & Noble stores.

Pick up your copy and start planning your next journey down the historic Mother Road.

Whether you’re a first-time traveler or a lifelong Route 66 enthusiast, this guide belongs in your collection.

📍 Ladue Crossing in St. Louis.

⚠️ Heads up, Route 66 travelers! I-44 crossing for Route 66 in Missouri is closed WB at Exit 176 (Doolittle) and EB at Exit 169 (Ho**er Cut)