Car crash destroys historic Kingman building

The historic Kingman Cab Co. building that stood on Route 66 in Kingman, Ariz., was razed Tuesday after a car crash heavily damaged the structure, reported the Kingman Daily Miner. More details: Police found a stolen car with heavy front-end damage off of Hualapai Mountain Road they believe may be connected to the hit-and-run. The … Continue reading Car crash destroys historic Kingman building

Mother Road Monument edges closer to reality

About a week ago, an article hinted that the proposed Mother Road National Monument in California's Mojave Desert was looking more likely. On Tuesday, the Press-Enterprise reports that the monument appeared to be "gaining momentum." Part of the reason was because a proposed solar-power plant in the desert had been scrapped and another said it … Continue reading Mother Road Monument edges closer to reality

Just another Nob Hill Night

The Nob Hill area of Albuquerque is going to hold a street-fair event on the first Thursday of every month, called "Nob Hill Nights," according to a news release. The first event will be held Thursday, October 1, 2009 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., and will feature turning Central Avenue -- Historic Route 66 … Continue reading Just another Nob Hill Night

Freeway project may improve Route 66 access

Improvements to Interstate 215 in San Bernardino, Calif., may ease travelers' access to Mount Vernon Avenue, an old alignment of Route 66, reports the San Bernardino County Sun. The improvements include several new exit ramps off the freeway by 2013 for Second, Third and Fifth streets as well as Base Line. Currently, drivers sometimes have … Continue reading Freeway project may improve Route 66 access

Governor opposes Mojave monument plan

A proposal to create a Mother Road National Monument across California's Mojave Desert has encountered opposition from Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's office, reported the Inland Press-Enterprise. The article says the governor opposes the project because it would halt solar-energy projects there. However, it's reported that Sen. Diane Feinstein is working on a scaled-down compromise. At issue … Continue reading Governor opposes Mojave monument plan

More POPS psychedelia

Here's another video of the landmark 66-foot-tall pop bottle at POPS in Arcadia, Okla. The music soundtrack certainly helps convey a groovy sensibility. I have little doubt that scientists a million years from now will think the bottle had some sort of religious significance, instead of it being a roadside gimmick.

Arizona Route 66 Association wins top award

Story and photos by Mark Potter The Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona was honored as the recipient of the 2009 Will Rogers Award, and Carolyn Pendleton for the Kansas Route 66 Visitors Center accepted the Cyrus Avery Preservation of the Year Award during the 2009 Will Rogers Awards Banquet on Saturday night at the … Continue reading Arizona Route 66 Association wins top award

Notes from the Route 66 Summit

As I've reported, I'm unable to attend the Route 66 Festival in Flagstaff, Ariz., because of time constraints. However, Swa Frantzen of the seminal Historic66.com site was taking notes at the Route 66 Summit on Thursday and e-mailed them, some of which I'll pass along here: --- Renee Charles, one of the four women of … Continue reading Notes from the Route 66 Summit

Debate in the desert

USA Today has an interesting article about a simmering controversy over a proposed solar-power plant in the Mojave Desert near the Route 66 hamlet of Amboy, Calif. I would recommend reading it all, but wanted to call attention to an excerpt: PG&E project manager Alice Harron says she is "comfortable" with the solar power plant … Continue reading Debate in the desert

Shuttered Winslow tavern is torn down

The long-closed Prairie Moon tavern in Winslow, Ariz., finally was torn down and the rubble hauled away a few days ago, reported AzJournal.com. Here's a photo of the bar before it was razed. According to several people quoted in the article, the Prairie Moon also was known for prostitution. Longtime Winslow resident Gabe Martinez grew … Continue reading Shuttered Winslow tavern is torn down