The owner of the historic Bel-Aire Motel in Springfield, Illinois, wants to sell his troubled property for $750,000, plus more than $114,000 in fines he owes to the city for code violations, reported the Springfield State Journal-Register. Florida-based Gopal Motwani, who's owned the motel for nearly 30 years, says health problems and the latest round … Continue reading Bel-Aire Motel owner now wants to sell
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.
Skateboarding photographer takes a trip on Route 66
Matt Alberts, a skateboarder with a 19th-century camera, takes a trip on Route 66 with a few pals and a 1973 Airstream trailer. They find abandoned swimming pools -- including one I recognize as being at Two Guns, Arizona -- and drainage ditches to do their work. They also produced this short film (warning: the … Continue reading Skateboarding photographer takes a trip on Route 66
The former glory of the Bel-Aire Motel
The historic Bel-Aire Motel in Springfield, Illinois, is known for its retro neon sign and Sputnik structure on the roof. It's also known for hundreds of code violations and criminal activity by many of its tenants. It didn't used to be the latter. Columnist Dave Bakke of the Springfield State Journal-Register spoke to the daughter of … Continue reading The former glory of the Bel-Aire Motel
Grand Canyon Railway bringing out steam engine for Father’s Day weekend
The Grand Canyon Railway, based in the Route 66 town of Williams, Arizona, will bring back a 1923 steam locomotive and Pullman cars for special displays and excursions on Father's Day weekend, June 14-15. It's part of the railroad's first Williams Train Days festival, which, according to the news release, will have other goodies that … Continue reading Grand Canyon Railway bringing out steam engine for Father’s Day weekend
Downtown Albuquerque may install public bathrooms
Downtown Albuquerque is strongly considering the construction of public bathrooms partly for the use of Route 66 tourists, reported KRQE-TV. But it's not just for tourism reasons (ick): The report sort of dances around the issue, but I suspect the downtown problem primarily comes from the homeless and those who've had a little too much … Continue reading Downtown Albuquerque may install public bathrooms
Cracks appear on Skydeck Ledge of Willis Tower
Cracks spidered on the transparent floor of a Skydeck Ledge of Chicago's Willis Tower, formerly known as the Sears Tower, after visitors stood on it 103 floors above ground level, according to various media reports. The NBC affiliate in Chicago posted this video: The Chicago Tribune reported: "I had my palms on the floor and … Continue reading Cracks appear on Skydeck Ledge of Willis Tower
Webb City wants to add downtown to National Register
A move is afoot in Webb City, Missouri, to add its entire downtown district to the National Register of Historic Places, reported KOAM-TV in nearby Pittsburg, Kansas. Webb City is looking at the move not just to add a publicity hook, but to help owners renovate historic buildings with tax credits. Here's the report: KOAM … Continue reading Webb City wants to add downtown to National Register
Bloomington moves forward on Route 66 tourism center
Even though it doesn't have all the money needed for the project, the McLean County Museum of History in Bloomington, Illinois, is taking bids on building a tourism center that will highlight Route 66, reported the Bloomington Pantagraph. The project would turn the south lawn of the museum square into a plaza pointing visitors to the … Continue reading Bloomington moves forward on Route 66 tourism center
Tuxedo cruising
Here's Roy Gaines and His Orchestra playing a nice arrangement of Bobby Troup's "Route 66," from Gaines' 2009 album, "Tuxedo Blues." If you like a big horn section, this is for you: https://youtu.be/IbcQhWcBcTY The song may be downloaded for 99 cents here. Gaines has quite a biography. In addition to a long career in music, … Continue reading Tuxedo cruising
A chat with Laurel Kane at Afton Station
KC Keefer continues his Genuine Route 66 Life video series with an interview with Laurel Kane, co-owner of Afton Station in Afton, Oklahoma. Afton Station, a former gas station on Route 66 in town, was converted into a display area for a Packards collection and as a visitors center for Route 66 travelers. https://youtu.be/B3NpM-BRY9k Kane … Continue reading A chat with Laurel Kane at Afton Station