Highlights, quotes, etc. from the Albuquerque City Council meeting: Richard Gonzales, the developer who bought El Vado last fall with the intention of tearing it down and replacing it with luxury townhouses, started his comments to the council with this gem: I'm not prepared to make any presentation to you this evening, because I just … Continue reading Details from El Vado meeting
Category: History
7 to 1 for El Vado
The Albuquerque City Council just voted 7-1 to approve the designation of the historic El Vado Motel as a city landmark. The designation will take effect June 1, with a provision in the ordinance stating that no demolition permits can be issued for the property between now and then. Film at 11 (ABQ time, that … Continue reading 7 to 1 for El Vado
Shellee Graham exhibit will be in St. Louis
Shellee Graham's touring photo exhibition, "Return to Route 66: Photos from the Mother Road," is coming to St. Louis. The opening reception will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Feb. 12 at the Old Courthouse in St. Louis, with a talk and slide show given in the Rotunda. If you can't make it, the exhibit … Continue reading Shellee Graham exhibit will be in St. Louis
Lincoln Museum is a must-see
While visiting my parents in Illinois, my father strongly urged that I visit the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, which is on Route 66 in Springfield. Because Dad isn't easily impressed, I thought I'd better get there. Dad was right. It is the best Lincoln tourist attraction out of many in that city. It … Continue reading Lincoln Museum is a must-see
A tree grows in Pontiac
The Pontiac (IL) Daily Leader reports that the city's street superintendent, Andy Eckel, is retiring after 32 years with the city. One of Eckel's pet projects during his long employment with the city was taking care of the city's trees. The Route 66 Hall of Fame museum in Pontiac will benefit from his interest in … Continue reading A tree grows in Pontiac
Railroad bridge already is being torn down
This refers to the old railroad bridge the spanned old Illinois 157 in Edwardsville, which is an alignment of Route 66. The Belleville News-Democrat reports that the dismantling process of the bridge already has begun. I don't know whether the road crews are finished, but it sure sounds like it: On Tuesday, crews were hauling … Continue reading Railroad bridge already is being torn down
Interstates mark 50 years
Don't look for parties or commemorations from Route 66 aficionados regarding the 50th anniversary of interstates in the United States this year. Interstates are universally cited as the reason for Route 66's downfall in the 1970s and '80s. The Mother Road started a comeback in the 1990s, but not before hundreds, if not thousands, of … Continue reading Interstates mark 50 years
Route 66 travel center being built near Albuquerque
The Albuquerque Journal reports that Fred Rael is building what is tentatively called Sedillo Hill 66 in the East Mountains between Edgewood and Albuquerque. Rael pointed out that the travel center site has a lot of history. Not only was the store once used as a truck stop and rest area back in the 1930s, … Continue reading Route 66 travel center being built near Albuquerque
Muffler Man on the block
A reader, Maj. Nelson, alerted me to this: A man is selling on eBay a Muffler Man that claims ties to Route 66. If you're in the dark, the Muffler Man is a 30-foot-tall fiberglass figure used to help draw attention to businesses. Many of these giants have their forearms out at an angle to … Continue reading Muffler Man on the block
Flagstaff’s city fathers see red
The Arizona Daily Sun is reporting about a culture (and color) clash between an Asian business owner and the Flagstaff Historic Preservation Committee. The business owner painted her business, The Golden Triangle, red with black trim because it reflects on her Asian culture, plus it's an attention-getter to customers. But Flagstaff's historic district along Route … Continue reading Flagstaff’s city fathers see red