The historic 66 Motel in Flagstaff, Arizona, is being turned by a nonprofit group into a place for affordable rental housing until its residents can save enough money for better rentals or a down payment on a home. And the nonprofit, ANEW Living, wants to do the same thing to other distressed motels along Route … Continue reading 66 Motel in Flagstaff converted into affordable rental housing
Author: Ron Warnick
I'm the editor and publisher of Route 66 News, a clearinghouse of events, information, and entertainment pertaining to historic U.S. 66, the Mother Road.
Big Texan record-holder returning next month
Molly Schuyler, who destroyed the Big Texan Steak Ranch's 72-ounce steak challenge record by polishing off the meal in less than five minutes, is coming back to the landmark Amarillo restaurant April 19 to not only defend her title, but eat three of those monster slabs of meat and all the sides in under an … Continue reading Big Texan record-holder returning next month
Gold Dome back on market
The historic Gold Dome building in Oklahoma City as back for sale after a company's plans to turn it into its headquarters were scrapped because of a nosedive in oil prices, reported The Oklahoman last week. Building owner David Box said he'll try to sell the structure to someone who will preserve the geodesic dome. … Continue reading Gold Dome back on market
Old Riverton Store marks 90 years
On Friday, the Old Riverton Store along old Route 66 in Riverton, Kansas, marked its 90th anniversary of business. Yes, the store actually predates Route 66 by about 18 months. The newest owner, Scott Nelson, who's worked there since he was a teenager many years ago, pledges to keep its old-fashioned feel the same. KODE-TV … Continue reading Old Riverton Store marks 90 years
Albuquerque board approves ‘condotel’ plan for De Anza
The Albuquerque Development Commission on Thursday approved an $8.2 million plan to convert the long-closed De Anza Motor Lodge into a condominium and hotel hybrid, according to Albuquerque Business First. It won out over four other proposals, including a $12.4 million plan by an investing group to turn De Anza into a boutique motel that … Continue reading Albuquerque board approves ‘condotel’ plan for De Anza
Route 66 by bicycle
Andre Slabbert of the Cayman Islands last fall completed a 2,351-mile trip on Route 66 by bicycle in a bit less than month. That feat is remarkable enough, but he did it just three months after damaging ligaments in his knee during a training accident. The Route 66 ride raised money for the Nelson Mandela's Children's … Continue reading Route 66 by bicycle
The Mill is launching an online campaign to finish restoration
The nonprofit Route 66 Heritage Foundation of Logan County has launched an IndieGogo campaign to finish the restoration work on The Mill landmark along Route 66 in Lincoln, Illinois. The group wants to raise $93,000 to build a new restroom building with septic lines, rewire and insulate the building, restore wall panels and install an … Continue reading The Mill is launching an online campaign to finish restoration
Kingman will create annual Route 66 festival
Inspired by last year's International Route 66 Festival, residents and the city of Kingman, Arizona, are planning on a big Route 66 event each year, reported the Daily Miner newspaper. The festival will be called Best of the West on Route 66, and it will combine popular car shows and the annual Andy Devine Days … Continue reading Kingman will create annual Route 66 festival
Hundreds turn out for Gary Turner memorial
Hundreds of people gathered Sunday afternoon for a celebration of life for Gary Turner, the owner of the Gay Parita Sinclair station west of Halltown, Missouri. The KY3 television station out of nearby Springfield, Missouri, had a short video from the event. Alas, I cannot embed it, so you'll have to go straight to the … Continue reading Hundreds turn out for Gary Turner memorial
300 attend Gasconade Bridge rally
Multiple reports Saturday indicated about 300 people attended a rally urging the preservation and reopening of the historic Gasconade River Bridge near Hazelgreen, Missouri. The Lebanon Daily Record newspaper, KLOR-TV and KTTS radio covered the event. However, the best report probably was the one by KY3 in Springfield, Missouri. It covered a lot of issues … Continue reading 300 attend Gasconade Bridge rally