The Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program is already under the auspices of the National Park Service. But the NPS recently launched a Route 66 "Discover Our Shared Heritage" travel itinerary site that should prove useful to novice travelers and be informative to researchers. Funded in part by American Express and the World Monuments Fund, the … Continue reading National Park Service launches Route 66 site
Category: Motels
Wagon Wheel Motel gets a new owner
The Wagon Wheel Motel in Cuba, Mo., an architecturally significant motel which has continuously operated on Route 66 since 1934, has a new owner. Connie Echols, who owns The Wildflower florist and gift shop on Route 66 in Cuba, took possession of the motel Tuesday from the heirs of longtime owners Pauline and Harold Armstrong. … Continue reading Wagon Wheel Motel gets a new owner
Historic Mayo Hotel reopens in Tulsa
The iconic Mayo Hotel in downtown Tulsa, which had been shuttered for almost 30 years, held a limited "soft" opening Monday, reported the Tulsa World. The Mayo, at 115 W. Fifth St., is about two blocks from the downtown Route 66 alignment of Seventh Street. The Mayo dates to the 1920s, is listed on the … Continue reading Historic Mayo Hotel reopens in Tulsa
Motel converted to housing for mentally ill soon will open
Nearly two years ago, it was announced that the old Village Motel at 2624 Santa Monica Blvd., aka Route 66, in Santa Monica, Calif., would be bought and converted into housing for youths with mental illness. Now, the Los Angeles Times reports, the motel will hold its grand opening Sept. 11 and be christened Daniel's … Continue reading Motel converted to housing for mentally ill soon will open
What’s happening with El Garces?
While in the Route 66 town of Needles, Calif., this summer, it appeared there was little recent activity in the restoration of the historic El Garces Hotel. A sign said the century-old Harvey House would have a "limited" opening by winter 2008, and the hotel's Web site hadn't been updated since last year. El Garces' … Continue reading What’s happening with El Garces?
2009 cost-share grants announced for Route 66 properties
The Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program announced Monday its cost-share grant recipients for 2009. They are: Colors of the West, 201 W. Route 66, Williams, Ariz. — Constructed in 1912, the Duffy Brothers building in downtown Williams served as a grocery until 1954, when it became the Indian House, a curio selling Indian crafts and … Continue reading 2009 cost-share grants announced for Route 66 properties
Abe Lincoln wagon being moved
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
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