The giant covered wagon on Route 66 in Lincoln, Ill., that featured a statue of Abe Lincoln in the driver's seat is slated to get a new home at a remodeled hotel, reports the Lincoln Courier. The wagon will be on the front lawn of the Best Western Lincoln Inn at 1750 Fifth St. in … Continue reading Abe Lincoln wagon being moved
Category: Motels
Notes from the “Road Trip”
Some notes from the latest episode of the NBC reality series "The Great American Road Trip": The good. The Midpoint Cafe in Adrian, Texas -- along with its gift shop -- got quite a bit of air time during Monday's episode, even though the pie-eating contest in the restaurant was a bit repulsive. The good. … Continue reading Notes from the “Road Trip”
Historic status sought for Lamplighter property
A portion of the Inn of the Lamplighter, a longtime social gathering spot and an oasis for Route 66 travelers in Springfield, Ill., is going to be nominated as a historic landmark, reports the Springfield Journal-Register. This week a group of residents at the Route 66 landmark-turned-condos begins the work of putting a piece of … Continue reading Historic status sought for Lamplighter property
Notes from the road, San Fran edition
I'm writing this from a coffeehouse in San Francisco during my vacation, a few blocks from our overnight digs at the marvelous Ocean Park Motel (and the Pacific Coast Highway) and a few miles from the western terminus of the Lincoln Highway. We're heading back east tomorrow. Still doing the best I can with an … Continue reading Notes from the road, San Fran edition
Wishing Well Motel memorabilia installed at museum
This week, not only is the Illinois Route 66 Museum and Hall of Fame in Pontiac celebrating its fifth anniversary, but the sign and wishing well from the gone-but-not-forgotten Wishing Well Motel of Countryside, Ill., has been installed on the museum's property. A large Route 66 mural also has been added to the building's south … Continue reading Wishing Well Motel memorabilia installed at museum
Nob Hill Motel being converted into an office complex
The historic Nob Hill Motel on Route 66 in Albuquerque is being converted into an office complex, but its neon sign and distinctive appearance will remain intact. The complex likely will be called the Nob Hill Court; the "Court" was part of the motel's original name. Al Schwanke, a supervisor for the contractor for the … Continue reading Nob Hill Motel being converted into an office complex
Albuquerque motel demolished
The Economy Inn in Albuquerque, formerly the Trade Winds Motel, was torn down Friday after becoming a chronic nuisance, reported KOB-TV. The station reported that the old Route 66 motel was a "a haven for drug dealers, prostitutes and other shady people." Albuquerque Police Chief Ray Schultz said Friday, " In my 27 years in … Continue reading Albuquerque motel demolished
Expansion of El Garces project tentatively approved
The expansion of a parcel map for the El Garces rehabilitation project in Needles, Calif., was approved by the city's planning department, reported the Needles Desert Star. El Garces is a long-abandoned Harvey House that Alan Affeldt, the savior of La Posada in Winslow, Ariz., is working to restore. El Garces, when it is restored, … Continue reading Expansion of El Garces project tentatively approved
Route 66 Welcome Center
Here are some attractions at the new Route 66 Welcome Center off Interstate 44 near Conway, Mo. It was even better-conceived than I anticipated, especially the neon welcome sign that looks a lot like the Munger Moss Motel's in nearby Lebanon, Mo. The Missouri Department of Transportation is proud of it, and deserves to be.
Airport Motel being cited by city
Kip Welborn, a roadie who lives in St. Louis, reports that the nearby City of Hazelwood has been citing the historic Airport Motel for allowing semi-tractor trailers to park on its lot. The Airport Inn is located just off Lindbergh Boulevard, aka Route 66, near Interstate 270. Welborn wrote about the citations against the motel: … Continue reading Airport Motel being cited by city