This is Son Volt singer Jay Farrar, performing an acoustic version of the country-rock band's song, "Way Down Watson." It is based on the demolition of the Coral Court Motel on Watson Road, aka Route 66, in St. Louis in 1995. It's a bit hard to hear the words, so here are the song's lyrics … Continue reading “Just fallen brick … and broken glass”
Category: Motels
Putting back the neon
Dwayne of New Zealand posted a bunch of videos weeks ago from his summer Route 66 trip, but I missed this one. Here, he talks to Bill Kinder, co-owner of the Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, N.M., as he's about to install new neon lighting in July. The previous neon was destroyed by a severe … Continue reading Putting back the neon
Art inspired by Route 66 motels
Artist Victoria Taylor-Gore shows pastels from her "Route 66 series" in a slide show on YouTube. These works are inspired by motels from the 1940s to 1960s. Music is by jazz legend John Coltrane.
Route 66 as a teaching tool
It's already been reported here, but Central Connecticut State University published an article about two sociology professors, John Mitrano and Bruce Day, who earned a $2,775 grant from the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program to help schools and universities incorporate Route 66 as a teaching tool. A few tidbits from the article: “Each year we … Continue reading Route 66 as a teaching tool
Back to drawing board for Wishing Well site
The imminent demolition of the Wishing Well Motel in Countryside, Ill., continues, but plans for the property remain up in the air after Mayor Robert Conrad rejected a retail and townhouse proposal, reports Chicago Suburban News. “We just felt that it was a little too dense there,” Conrad said. “It’s not that anyone has a … Continue reading Back to drawing board for Wishing Well site
More about El Vado hearing
The Albuquerque Journal had a story about the city's Landmarks and Urban Conservation Commission's decision Wednesday to recommend El Vado Motel be designated a City Landmark, thus protecting it from redevelopment. (Note: I would have posted the story Thursday, except the Journal has the most difficult-to-navigate newspaper Web site I've seen, so I missed it.) … Continue reading More about El Vado hearing
Unanimous decision in favor of El Vado Motel
I don't have many of the details. However, William Dodge, vice chairman of the Landmarks and Urban Conservation Commission at the City of Albuquerque, confirmed to me this morning that the panel voted 7-0 Wednesday night to again designate El Vado Motel as a City Landmark. Dodge told me the hearing lasted five hours, and … Continue reading Unanimous decision in favor of El Vado Motel
Duke City Fix takes up El Vado’s cause
Duke City Fix, one of the most popular blogs in Albuquerque, has jumped on board with the cause to save El Vado Motel on Route 66 -- not that it never was on board in the first place. Duke City Fix has been an enthusiastic supporter of Route 66 preservation since the beginning. E-mails in … Continue reading Duke City Fix takes up El Vado’s cause
Will Rogers Hotel marks 10th year of reopening
The historic Will Rogers Hotel on Lynn Riggs Boulevard (aka Route 66) in Claremore, Okla., is celebrating its 10th year Friday since reopening as a home for businesses and long-term residents, reports the Claremore Progress. The hotel opened in 1930 and was there to take advantage of the area's natural mineral water springs, which was … Continue reading Will Rogers Hotel marks 10th year of reopening
An urgent message from Albuquerque
Here it is, in full: Greetings: El Vado Motel is back on the Albuquerque Landmarks and Urban Conservation Commission's agenda in two weeks. If you support preservation of this historic Route 66 landmark, know that its designation as a City of Albuquerque Landmark is again at stake, along with its very existence. Two related questions … Continue reading An urgent message from Albuquerque