El Vado Motel developer to revamp Imperial Inn Motel in Albuquerque

The same developer who revamped the El Vado Motel and Monterey Motel in Albuquerque also will transform another Route 66 motel in that city — the Imperial Inn Motel. According to Albuquerque Business First (subscription required), the motel will become a mix of residential, restaurants and retail: The city announced Saturday it is moving forward … Continue reading El Vado Motel developer to revamp Imperial Inn Motel in Albuquerque

Then-and-now slideshow of Albuquerque added to Central Avenue buses

Riders on Albuquerque Rapid Transit buses have a chance to glimpse at the city’s past with a slideshow of Central Avenue (aka Route 66) and other landmarks from many decades ago to the current day. According to the Albuquerque Journal, the slides show Central Avenue when it was just a dirt road, then in the … Continue reading Then-and-now slideshow of Albuquerque added to Central Avenue buses

Thoughts on Route 66 on its 95th birthday

Today marks what is considered by many as the 95th anniversary of the creation of U.S. Highway 66, aka Route 66. As one who has run this website for 16 years and been involved on Route 66 for more than 20, I’ve got a few random thoughts from my time of reporting about this fabled … Continue reading Thoughts on Route 66 on its 95th birthday

Bill Geist 1991 segment on Route 66 finally goes online

Back in 1991, about the time the renaissance of Route 66 was starting, “CBS Sunday Morning” correspondent Bill Geist traveled a section of the Mother Road from Albuquerque westward for a nine-minute segment on the weekly program. Those nine minutes had never made it online — until now. The occasion was prompted by Geist’s retirement … Continue reading Bill Geist 1991 segment on Route 66 finally goes online

Longtime operator of Monterey Motel in Albuquerque dies

Norman Bugg, who operated the Monterey Motel along Route 66 in Albuquerque for 25 years, died Sunday of heart failure. He was 89. The Albuquerque Journal, which reported Bugg’s death Monday, said he refurbished and remodeled an aging motel into Triple Diamond-rated lodging. Miroslaw and Boguslawa Elencwajg later acquired the motel and renamed it Monterey Non-Smokers … Continue reading Longtime operator of Monterey Motel in Albuquerque dies

Book review: “66 on 66: A Photographer’s Journey”

 Terrence Moore has documented Route 66 with his camera for more than 40 years, giving him a lot a props simply because you’ll be hard-pressed to find anyone who’s done it that long. The huge majority of photographers became drawn to the Mother Road after it was decertified during the 1980s, not before. But … Continue reading Book review: “66 on 66: A Photographer’s Journey”

The glow of El Vado

Maybe by the year 2017, we’ll get to see this again. Dan Uscian recently uploaded footage from June 1994 when the neon tubing of the historic El Vado Motel along Route 66 in Albuquerque still glowed brightly, including its memorably designed sign. https://youtu.be/gKxg7BUSLX0 No one has seen this sight in more than a decade. A developer … Continue reading The glow of El Vado

Ten years

On Oct. 10, 2005, in just the second day of Route 66 News’ existence, I hit the “publish” button on a post titled “Has it been 10 years already?” The post was about the anniversary of the California Route 66 Museum in Victorville. Today, that title could apply again, for it is the 10th anniversary of Route … Continue reading Ten years

Details revealed for upcoming Route 66 exhibit at Autry Center

In a Shalom Life story about artist and journalist Jim Farber, he revealed a few of the things that will be featured in a Route 66 exhibit staring in May 2014 at the Autry National Center in Los Angeles. The key excerpts: I talked with Jim recently in his backyard, which is only a few … Continue reading Details revealed for upcoming Route 66 exhibit at Autry Center