Tucked into this story from KTUL-TV in Tulsa about Forrest Winston, 101, and his wife Vera Winston, 100, was this little item: If you recognize Winston, you may know him as the one who built the Winston Motor Court on Route 66. Back then, it was the city's first air-conditioned motel. Here's a postcard image … Continue reading Century-old couple has a Route 66 connection
Category: Motels
Paul Harvey, R.I.P.
Paul Harvey, a legend in radio for more than 50 years, died at age 90 Saturday at a hospital near Phoenix. Rather than recount Harvey's unique delivery and his many accomplishments in broadcasting, it should be known that the Tulsa native also left his own unique stamp on Route 66 at least twice. First, Harvey … Continue reading Paul Harvey, R.I.P.
New Mexico lodging-tax proposal is killed
The Tourism Association of New Mexico reports that a bill in the state legislature that would have imposed a 10 percent tax on all lodging establishments, including RV parks, was tabled in committee on Wednesday night, essentially killing the measure. The bill, SB 595, was tabled by a 4-3 vote in the state senate's Corporations … Continue reading New Mexico lodging-tax proposal is killed
A really bad idea
At a time when the economy is struggling, Route 66 motels in New Mexico sure don't need this. According to the New Mexico Business Weekly, state Sens. George K. Munoz, D-Cibola and McKinley, and John M. Sapien, D-Sandoval, have introduced a bill to impose a 10 percent lodging tax across the board on all lodging … Continue reading A really bad idea
Boots Drive-In featured in Route 66 display
The former Boots Drive-In restaurant will be re-created in a Route 66 display in the Jasper County Courthouse in Carthage, Mo., reports the Joplin Globe. A replica of the building front is just starting to take shape at a workshop in Carthage. When finished, it will occupy space in the main floor of the historic … Continue reading Boots Drive-In featured in Route 66 display
Owner may restore Boots Motel
In a Carthage (Mo.) Press feature, Savannah's Restaurant owner Vince Scott talks about, among other things, his ownership of the Boots Motel on Route 66: Scott also owns one of the historic landmarks in Carthage, the Boots Motel. Again his intention was to buy the property and sell it quickly at a profit, which might … Continue reading Owner may restore Boots Motel
Motel history
David Wilkening at Hotel Interactive has a pretty good article about historic motels along Route 66. Not only does Wilkening talk to longtime roadies Johnnie Meier and Jim Conkle, but he speaks with the owners of the Motel Safari in Tucumcari, N.M.; the Rodeway Inn in Williams, Ariz., Wild West Junction of Williams; and the … Continue reading Motel history
Ghosts in the motel
There were some suggestions in the past that the historic Hotel Brunswick on Route 66 in Kingman, Ariz., was haunted. Debe Branning of Examiner.com has more specific stories about those ghostly incidents: A previous innkeeper told the MVD Ghostchasers crew about some of the difficulties he encountered with the Brunswick ghosts after he purchased the … Continue reading Ghosts in the motel
“Life Ain’t Always Beautiful”
Check out the neon sign during this video by Gary Allan. It's from the Holiday Motel on the Strip in Las Vegas -- one of the last survivors of vintage motels there. The song itself has a interesting history. Allan recorded it shortly after his wife committed suicide. Several of the songs from the excellent … Continue reading “Life Ain’t Always Beautiful”
Co-founder of Boots Motel dies
Ilda Boots, co-founder of the Boots Motel on historic Route 66 in Carthage, Mo., died Friday at age 102 at a nursing home in Glenpool, Okla., reports the Carthage Press. The Bootses also founded the Boots Drive-In restaurant across the road, which is defunct. According to the newspaper, after talking to Ilda's son Bob: She … Continue reading Co-founder of Boots Motel dies