The Natatorium, also known as The Nat, in Amarillo, Texas, will mark the 100th anniversary of its completion in July. The approaching centennial first was flagged by Charlie, a Route 66 fan, at Mix94.1 radio in Amarillo. Natatorium is just a fancy word for swimming pool. It opened up in the summer of 1922.The Natatorium … Continue reading Amarillo’s Natatorium marks its 100th anniversary this summer
Category: History
Donut Man to mark its 50th year tomorrow with a giveaway of 500 doughnuts
The Donut Man along Route 66 in Glendora, California, is celebrating its 50th year in business starting at 8 a.m. Monday with a free anniversary sprinkle doughnut with a $5 purchase The Glendora shop is not only giving away the doughnuts but so is its newer shop inside the Grand Central Market in downtown Los … Continue reading Donut Man to mark its 50th year tomorrow with a giveaway of 500 doughnuts
Castaneda Hotel wins state preservation award
The Castaneda Hotel of Las Vegas, New Mexico, recently won a 2022 CPRC Heritage Preservation Award for architectural heritage from the New Mexico Historic Preservation Commission. The state historic preservation office posted this on social media about the award: Affeldt and Mion also own the historic Plaza Hotel in downtown Las Vegas, New Mexico, and … Continue reading Castaneda Hotel wins state preservation award
Son of Springfield Inn owner makes a documentary about motel’s sad decline
Shyam Rama, a son of the former owner of the Springfield Inn in Springfield, Missouri, has co-created a short documentary film about his childhood and his former home's sad and startlingly quick decline. A redeveloper of the Route 66 motel earlier this year announced plans to put a Whataburger restaurant and other businesses there. Rama … Continue reading Son of Springfield Inn owner makes a documentary about motel’s sad decline
The strange tale of Mrs. Orcutt’s driveway near Newberry Springs
It sounds like the stuff of fiction: The federal government relented and built a more than 4-mile-long driveway to the home of a resolute widow who lived near Newberry Springs, California, and insisted her home have access to old Route 66. The driveway then became an illegal test track for Car and Driver magazine. The … Continue reading The strange tale of Mrs. Orcutt’s driveway near Newberry Springs
“Route 66: The Mother Road” film from 1994 uploaded to the Internet Archive
The 88-minute film "Route 66: The Mother Road" which starred bestselling author Michael Wallis and his wife Suzanne in 1994, recently was uploaded to the Internet Archive for everyone to enjoy. The out-of-print film often also was titled "A Journey Down Route 66." A few copies on VHS or even DVD could be found on … Continue reading “Route 66: The Mother Road” film from 1994 uploaded to the Internet Archive
Book review: ‘Tucumcari Tonite!’
There's a moment early in David Stratton's new book, "Tucumcari Tonight" (Amazon link), that signals this isn't going to be a dull history tome. In the introduction, the author, who was 95 years old when the University of New Mexico Press published the book earlier this month, recalls his personal memories of the first owners … Continue reading Book review: ‘Tucumcari Tonite!’
“Hispanic Legacies of Route 66 in New Mexico” webpage given an award for excellence
The "Hispanic Legacies of Route 66 in New Mexico" webpage recently received the 2022 Stanton-Horton Award for Excellence in National Park Service History from the Organization of American Historians. The StoryMap webpage, of which the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program was a prominent partner, combines photos, video and other interactive elements. The Organization of American … Continue reading “Hispanic Legacies of Route 66 in New Mexico” webpage given an award for excellence
Arcadia Round Barn marks the 30th anniversary of its restoration this weekend
The historic Round Barn of Arcadia, Oklahoma, is throwing a party Sunday to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the restoration of the Route 66 landmark. According to The Oklahoman newspaper, the Arcadia Historical and Preservation Society's open house from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday will include a 2 p.m. ceremony to introduce special guests … Continue reading Arcadia Round Barn marks the 30th anniversary of its restoration this weekend
Shamrock Court motel in Sullivan designated to the National Register of Historic Places
The Shamrock Court along Route 66 in Sullivan, Missouri, recently was designated to the National Register of Historic Places. The designation for the motel, listed as being 1246 South Service Road (aka Route 66) in Sullivan, was official on March 28, according to a weekly email from the National Park Service that lists new National … Continue reading Shamrock Court motel in Sullivan designated to the National Register of Historic Places