Although there is a link to the Route 66 Pulse newspaper on the side of this site (and vice versa), I don't often link to their stories because there's a lot of redundancy there. Route 66 News often reports news on the Mother Road first because the Internet allows nearly instantaneous coverage; Route 66 Pulse … Continue reading History of the “Patel motels”
Category: Motels
City may seize El Vado property
The City of Albuquerque is offering $680,000 to buy El Vado Motel from owner Richard L. Gonzales, who wants to raze it and put up luxury townhouses. If the offer is rejected, the city intends to condemn the historic Route 66 property and seize it from Gonzales to save it from demolition, reports the Albuquerque … Continue reading City may seize El Vado property
Future of Wilmington hotel turns iffy again
The owner of the circa-1837 Eagle Hotel in downtown Wilmington, Ill., is asking for yet another extension on his city contract, reports the Joliet Herald News. Bill Scales, who owns the building, has asked for another 18 months after his current five-year pact expires. The Ottawa developer had agreed to purchase the building for $45,000 … Continue reading Future of Wilmington hotel turns iffy again
El Vado back before Landmarks commission
Here's an e-mail from Ed Boles, historic preservation planner for the City of Albuquerque, that was sent Friday: This coming Wednesday, the El Vado Motel owner's application for a Certificate of Appropriateness for demolition will be heard again by the City of Albuquerque Landmarks and Urban Conservation Commission. The application was remanded to the LUCC … Continue reading El Vado back before Landmarks commission
A more restful stay
Here's a news release from the Hualapai Lodge on Route 66 in Peach Springs, Ariz.: The Hualapai Lodge, owned and operated by the Hualapai Nation at Grand Canyon West, has placed new premium beds in all 60 of its rooms. The rooms now feature Elite 1350, FR Plush Serta mattresses and premium Serta box springs. … Continue reading A more restful stay
His own Cozy Cone
Rick Shalander of Whites Creek, Tenn., liked the "Cars" movie and decided to re-create one of the Cozy Cone Motel cabins in the film. He's going to use it as a place to park his motorcycle. He's building it out of of salvaged materials, including a motor from a hospital bed that will be used … Continue reading His own Cozy Cone
Company aims to restore vintage Route 66 motels
At roadie gatherings over the years, there's long been watercooler talk about the need for someone to buy up old Route 66 motels, renovate them to retain the old-time charm, yet offer amenities that modern travelers expect. It looks like Smalltown America Inns, Lodges and Motels aims to step into that role. Its motto is: … Continue reading Company aims to restore vintage Route 66 motels
Pow Wow Inn damaged by fire
Longtime correspondent Mark Potter reported on the Route 66 yahoogroup a few days ago that a portion of the historic Pow Wow Inn at 801 W. Route 66 in Tucumcari, N.M., was damaged by fire. Potter said the fire "destroyed five rooms" in the complex and that the motel was closed temporarily. The fire started … Continue reading Pow Wow Inn damaged by fire
Route 66 motels make Oklahoma’s most-endangered list
For the second straight year, Preservation Oklahoma named Route 66 motels on its list of the 15 Most Endangered Historic Places, reports the Daily Oklahoman. The list is just a sample of thousands of landmarks across the state in desperate need of attention and protection, Preservation Oklahoma spokesman Mark Beutler said in a prepared statement. … Continue reading Route 66 motels make Oklahoma’s most-endangered list
Lawsuit to force demolition of El Vado is dismissed
A few weeks ago, Richard L. Gonzales filed a lawsuit to force City of Albuquerque and its Landmarks and Urban Conservation Commission to issue a demolition permit for the historic El Vado Motel. Gonzales wants to raze the historic Route 66 motel so he can build luxury townhouses there, but he has been thwarted at … Continue reading Lawsuit to force demolition of El Vado is dismissed