David Beam recently started a blog, Route 66 Trip, in which he and Connie are taking the Mother Road into Texas, maybe even further. Johnny Mango at Albloggerque has posted another desktop wallpaper to download, this time the pre-1937 alignment of Route 66 in New Mexico.
Month: September 2006
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
Another one gone
The neon sign of the Western Capri Motel in southwest Tulsa was replaced last week with a less interesting sign, I discovered Wednesday. The motel is on the Skelly Drive alignment of Route 66, near Interstate 44 / Oklahoma 66. I talked to Dara, who was working the front desk of the motel. I asked … Continue reading Another one gone
Ham radio operators start celebration of Route 66
The Springfield (Mo.) News-Leader reminds us that amateur radio operators across the nation are celebrating the 80th anniversary of Route 66 today through Sept. 17. That includes broadcasts today from Route 66 Days in Strafford, Mo., and, from what I hear, Route 66 Harley Davidson in Tulsa. The Citrus Belt Amateur Radio Club in California … Continue reading Ham radio operators start celebration of Route 66
Lewis Motel sign up for sale
The neon sign from the closed Lewis Motel on Route 66 in Vinita, Okla., is for sale on eBay. You can see the listing here. Bidding starts at $50, and the auction ends in about a week. There's sad news about the motel, though. The seller says: The motel has recently closed and will be … Continue reading Lewis Motel sign up for sale
Route 66 blog roundup
Anthony Ross, whose roadside artwork has been mentioned on this site, has a new blog, Roadsigns. Steve and Lizzie have Route 66 included in Steve and Lizzie's Great American Road Trip blog. Jgmoney has created a new blog called Postcards from the Mother Road. He and Nancy are driving the entire length of Route 66 … Continue reading Route 66 blog roundup
Route 66 Corridor grants announced
The Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program, run by the Nationa Park Service, has announced its annual recipients of cost-share grants totaling $117,102. The news release does a good job detailing the recipients and for what purpose, so I'm quoting it verbatim and adding links where applicable: 1) Atlanta, Illinois – Palms Grill Café. Grant … Continue reading Route 66 Corridor grants announced