Bill Kinder, co-owner and operator of the Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, N.M., for the past four years, has decided to place the historic Route 66 landmark for sale because of a recurrence of cancer. Kinder and his wife Terri purchased the Blue Swallow in 2006. He was diagnosed with cancer shortly after, about the same time … Continue reading Blue Swallow Motel put up for sale
Category: Motels
Springfield applies for grant for Bel-Aire Motel rehab
The City of Springfield, Ill., is applying for a grant to repair the long-declining Bel-Aire Motel and eventually convert it into a Route 66 museum, reported the Springfield State Journal-Register. The grant sought for the Bel-Aire is $1 million from the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program. The city plans to cover the other $600,000 for the … Continue reading Springfield applies for grant for Bel-Aire Motel rehab
Notes from the road
The documentary "Route 66: Ten Years Later" will have its debut at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 9 at the Portage Theater in Chicago. Writer Tim Steil and photographer Jim Luning collaborated on their "Route 66" book during a Mother Road trip in 1999. A decade later, they decided to revisit the places they saw and see … Continue reading Notes from the road
El Vado finally safeguarded by city of Albuquerque
The city of Albuquerque finally has gained ownership of the historic El Vado Motel along Route 66, and city officials are exploring ideas on what to do with it now, reports the Albuquerque Journal. Among the ideas are converting the property to a Route 66 neon museum, an artists' colony space, or even as a … Continue reading El Vado finally safeguarded by city of Albuquerque
Railroad quiet zone idea gathers steam in Kingman
Earlier this year, the city of Kingman, Ariz., looked into the possibility of a railroad quiet zone to keep trains from sounding their horns when passing through town. The City Council demurred and asked to see whether a similar quiet-zone program in Flagstaff is working. According to a report in the Kingman Daily Miner, the … Continue reading Railroad quiet zone idea gathers steam in Kingman
The evolution of roadside lodging
Delbert Trew, a Route 66 advocate and rancher in the Texas Panhandle, wrote an article today in the Amarillo Globe-News about how we've progressed as a nation in the overnight lodging industry. An excerpt: Stalls in sheds were first partitioned off with wagon canvas allowing just enough space to undress and lie on a single … Continue reading The evolution of roadside lodging
New Route 66 Malt Shop holds soft opening on weekend
Kelly Vickers at the Duke City Fix collective blog posted some photos from the Route 66 Days and Nights street festival in the Nob Hill district of Albuquerque this weekend. One of the interesting items is that the Route 66 Malt Shop, which once occupied space at the former Horn Oil Co. site, held a … Continue reading New Route 66 Malt Shop holds soft opening on weekend
La Posada will redevelop east grounds
A new project is being planned for the east grounds of the already-impressive La Posada hotel on Route 66 in Winslow, Ariz. According to an entry today on the hotel's Facebook page: For the last few months Allan Affeldt and his staff have been working on the development of a project that will transform the … Continue reading La Posada will redevelop east grounds
Several Route 66 sites make Arizona magazine’s “best of” list
Several Route 66 establishments made the final cut in Arizona Highways magazine's annual "Best of Arizona" feature, which is in the August issue that's out now. Mr. D'z Route 66 Diner in Kingman was mentioned in the Kingman Daily Miner for having the "Best Beer without a Buzz," a reference to the restaurant's acclaimed root beer. … Continue reading Several Route 66 sites make Arizona magazine’s “best of” list
Notes from the road
Roadies who've explored Route 66 in Clinton, Okla., may remember the 15-foot-tall fiberglass American Indian mascot, aka Muffler Man, who graced the front of David Howe Motors for years. The Howe Indian disappeared after a recent ownership change. But we're pleased to report the mascot has turned up at Indian Trading Post and Art near … Continue reading Notes from the road