California Historic Route 66 Association to celebrate its historic byway on Feb. 12

The California Historic Route 66 Association will hold a Route 66 Byway celebration from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 12 at the historic El Garces in Needles, California. Attendees include Atlanta, Illinois, tourism director Whitney Ortiz as well as authors and photographers. Area car clubs are planning to attend, and free tours of El … Continue reading California Historic Route 66 Association to celebrate its historic byway on Feb. 12

Needles Chamber breaks ground on a new office, visitors center in El Garces

The Needles, California, Chamber of Commerce last week broke ground to build a new office and visitors center in a seemingly ideal location -- the historic El Garces train depot. The Mohave Valley Daily News had more details about the 1,200-square-feet project, which had been years in the making: The chamber will operate a full-service … Continue reading Needles Chamber breaks ground on a new office, visitors center in El Garces

Needles seeks to add California Welcome Center in town

The Needles Chamber of Commerce recently lobbied Visit California to add a California Welcome Center in the city. The Needles Desert Star reported: According to the Visit California website, each of the California Welcome Centers is staffed with personal travel concierges, knowledgeable experts who are ready to provide information that will enhance and enrich a … Continue reading Needles seeks to add California Welcome Center in town

Needles chamber may move to El Garces

  The chamber of commerce of Needles, California, is proposing a move into the historic El Garces railroad complex, built in 1908 as a Harvey House in that city. Jerry Telles, a member of the chamber, made the pitch during a recent Needles City Council meeting, according to the Needles Desert Star. The chamber of … Continue reading Needles chamber may move to El Garces

El Garces now open for tours

El Garces, the former Harvey House in Needles, California, now is open for guided tours after a long and expensive rehabilitation in recent years. A reader passed along a new flyer that advertises tours for $5 per person. All money goes toward maintenance of El Garces. One may schedule tours by calling 760-326-2344 and asking … Continue reading El Garces now open for tours

El Garces reopens Saturday

The City of Needles, California, has planned an 11 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony Saturday for the remodeling and reopening of the long-closed El Garces intermodal transportation facility, reported the Mohave Valley Daily News. In addition to public speakers, the event at the former Harvey House will feature: A farmers market from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. … Continue reading El Garces reopens Saturday

El Garces may reopen as soon as March as a depot

The historic El Garces Hotel in Needles, Calif., may reopen as early as late March as an intermodal transportation facility -- but not as a hotel -- after a long rehabilitation, according to a recent report by the Needles Daily Star. According to the newspaper: Linda Kidd, city council woman and project committee member, said the hope … Continue reading El Garces may reopen as soon as March as a depot

La Posada owner may buy another Harvey House

Allan Affeldt, owner of the historic La Posada along Route 66 in Winslow, Ariz., posted this Facebook message today: In Las Vegas new mexico today to open escrow to buy the Castaneda - another long-neglected fred harvey hotel, one of the loveliest and most famous in the southwest. Now i have until 8 april to … Continue reading La Posada owner may buy another Harvey House