So what’s happening with the Lewis Motel?

In short, it's going to be demolished for an auto parts store. The Lewis Motel in Vinita, Okla., was never officially for sale. But the O'Reilly Auto Parts chain approached the owner about a year ago, and the motel will be razed this fall to make way for one of its stores. I called the … Continue reading So what’s happening with the Lewis Motel?

Route 66 Rendezvous gearing up for festival

Local newspapers are cranking up the publicity for the next weekend's massive Route 66 Rendezvous in San Bernardino. Here's a story about singer Ashley Runner, who will perform with her West 10 band. Here's a story about radio announcer Vic Slick, who will be the festival's voice. UPDATE: Here's a story about the festival from … Continue reading Route 66 Rendezvous gearing up for festival

Newberry Springs becomes a speculators’ market

The small Mojave Desert town of Newberry Springs, Calif., which is on Route 66, has suddenly become a hot spot for real-estate speculators, reports Mike Anton of the Los Angeles Times. Last year, $15.6 million in real estate sold in the ZIP Code encompassing much of Newberry Springs, nearly seven times [my emphasis] the amount … Continue reading Newberry Springs becomes a speculators’ market

Overkill security

In the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, there's this story from the Joliet (Ill.) Herald News. Travelers along Old Route 66 sometimes stop to shoot photos of the nuclear power plant in Braidwood. But they're likely to face questioning by police or plant security. Heightened surveillance around Exelon Nuclear's Braidwood Station is … Continue reading Overkill security