The same developer who revamped the El Vado Motel and Monterey Motel in Albuquerque also will transform another Route 66 motel in that city -- the Imperial Inn Motel. According to Albuquerque Business First (subscription required), the motel will become a mix of residential, restaurants and retail: The city announced Saturday it is moving forward … Continue reading El Vado Motel developer to revamp Imperial Inn Motel in Albuquerque
Category: History
Chat ‘n Chew near Route 66 in Normal catered to black customers in Jim Crow era
The Route 66 Bloomington-Normal, Illinois page on Facebook recently posted an interesting, if obscure, historical item for Black History Month -- the Chat 'n Chew restaurant and grocery in Normal. Here's the post, with Terri Ryburn of Ryburn Place (formerly Sprague Super Service station) in Normal supplying the photo: https://www.facebook.com/Route66BN/posts/153881979883693 A 2017 article, titled "Jim … Continue reading Chat ‘n Chew near Route 66 in Normal catered to black customers in Jim Crow era
Is the Mystic Maze near Needles a sacred tribal site or gravel mining operation?
A recent discussion thread on the National Old Trails Road page on Facebook recently centered on a site I hadn't heard of before -- the Mystic Maze, aka Topock Maze, just south of Needles, California. For the uninitiated, the Mystic Maze is a series of rows of parallel lines in the desert, just south of … Continue reading Is the Mystic Maze near Needles a sacred tribal site or gravel mining operation?
A rare glimpse inside one of the water-intake towers near the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge
If you've ever walked on the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge that connects St. Louis to Madison, Illinois, you probably wondered what is inside those nearby water-intake towers on the Mississippi River. St. Louis television station KTVI provided a rare look via water intake tower No. 2: KTVI also has a gallery of images inside … Continue reading A rare glimpse inside one of the water-intake towers near the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge
New exhibit at Oklahoma gallery focuses on famed pop artist Ed Ruscha’s roots
The Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center in Oklahoma City is hosting an exhibit on pop-art icon Ed Ruscha and the first-ever examination of his roots, including his Sooner State upbringing and the impact of Route 66 on him. The center's Eleanor Kirkpatrick Main Gallery is hosting the show in his hometown until July 5. Free tickets … Continue reading New exhibit at Oklahoma gallery focuses on famed pop artist Ed Ruscha’s roots
Former owner of Summit Inn at top of Cajon Pass dies at age 88
C.A. Stevens, the longtime owner of the Summit Inn restaurant at the top of Cajon Pass in Southern California, died Feb. 5 after contracting COVID-19. He was 88. Stevens owned the restaurant and an adjacent motel along old Route 66 for nearly 50 years until he sold it in 2016. A month after the sale … Continue reading Former owner of Summit Inn at top of Cajon Pass dies at age 88
Historic Eagle Rock theater in Los Angeles to reopen, along with new video store
The historic Eagle Theatre in the Eagle Rock neighborhood of Los Angeles eventually will reopen with an attached video store after fundraising efforts for the project are completed. The Vidiots Foundation is raising money for the theater's refurbishment. Vidiots also will open a store there with 50,000 DVDs and Blu-ray discs for rent. KABC-TV in … Continue reading Historic Eagle Rock theater in Los Angeles to reopen, along with new video store
Camp Cajon team begins offering field trips of historical sites in Cajon Pass
The team behind the recently constructed Camp Cajon Monument in Southern California's Cajon Pass recently offered tours of Camp Cajon and other sites along the famed mountain path. The monument itself sits at the south end of Wagon Train Road, near the intersection of Interstate 15 and Highway 138. The monument was dedicated in 2019 to … Continue reading Camp Cajon team begins offering field trips of historical sites in Cajon Pass
Frontier Restaurant in Albuquerque marks 50 years
The iconic Frontier Restaurant in Albuquerque marked its 50th year in business earlier this week. The Albuquerque Journal posted a story about the eatery at 2400 Central Ave. (aka Route 66): “It’s sort of like a melting pot where people come and meet,” said Dorothy Rainosek, Frontier co-founder and owner. [...]Rainosek said when she and … Continue reading Frontier Restaurant in Albuquerque marks 50 years
Museum Club of Flagstaff lands a new owner, will reopen “soon”
The Facebook account for the closed Museum Club of Flagstaff, Arizona, announced it had landed a new owner and would reopen "soon" after going on an indefinite hiatus last month. Here's the announcement: https://www.facebook.com/themuseumclub/posts/10159291435796085 Contacted through Facebook Messenger, the page's administrator said: "I haven't received authorization to release names yet, just the announcement it will … Continue reading Museum Club of Flagstaff lands a new owner, will reopen “soon”