Lara Hartley of the Victorville (Calif.) Daily Press takes a look at several good, vintage motels on Route 66 in the area, including the Wigwam Motel in Rialto, the Route 66 Motel in Barstow, and the Downtown Motel in Barstow. And for those of you who are looking for such properties to buy, the Route … Continue reading Old-time motels hang on
Category: Motels
Coral Court film trailer
Someone has posted the trailer for the award-winning documentary "Built for Speed: The Coral Court Motel," which tells the history of the greatly missed Coral Court Motel on Route 66 in the St. Louis suburb of Malborough, Mo. The film was directed by Bill Boll and Shellee Graham. I don't think the film is on … Continue reading Coral Court film trailer
Adopt a brick, help the Triangle Motel
The folks who are trying to renovate the previously long-neglected Triangle Motel on Route 66 in Amarillo, Texas, have launched a new fundraiser. You can adopt a brick on the motel complex's south wall on Triangle Drive, which is an older alignment of Route 66, for $15 apiece. Certificates will be mailed to adoptees. Proceeds … Continue reading Adopt a brick, help the Triangle Motel
Wishing Well Motel’s razing is imminent
Lately, I'd been getting e-mails from Illinois Route 66ers, telling me there was grave activity occurring at the historic Wishing Well Motel on Route 66 in the Chicago suburb of Countryside, Ill. One observer said the motel's electrical meters and water main had been removed. Others had reported that fencing had been erected around the … Continue reading Wishing Well Motel’s razing is imminent
UPDATED: Silver Moon Lodge closed
I found this LiveJournal item, via Duke City Fix, that passes on distressing news about an Albuquerque motel on Central Avenue (aka Route 66): The Central Park Deli and Silver Moon Lodge, (aka "Grand Western Motor Inn") Built in 1953 is closing Oct 15 2007. This 1950's era motel and restaurant is a prime example … Continue reading UPDATED: Silver Moon Lodge closed
Side trips in Missouri
This video makes stops in the remarkable Red Oak II complex near Carthage, Mo. The one guy interviewed keeps calling it "Red Oaks II" for some reason. It also checks out the neon in Lebanon, Mo., focusing mostly on the Munger Moss Motel and recently revived Wrink's Market.
Have you slept in a Wigwam lately?
Jillian Sim of American Heritage stays overnight at the Wigwam Motel on Route 66 in Holbrook, Ariz., and tells about it. Sim neglects to mention of another teepee-shaped motel on Route 66 -- the recently restored Wigwam Motel in Rialto, Calif.
Deferred again
Albuquerque's Landmarks and Urban Conservation Commission again on Wednesday deferred a decision on whether to designate the historic El Vado Motel as a city landmark. The decision has been moved to Nov. 14. It has been reported that the city and owner Richard L. Gonzales have been negotiating a possible buyout of the motel. Gonzales … Continue reading Deferred again
Haunts along Route 66
Ghost stories abound along the old road that is Route 66. And it appears Flagstaff, Ariz., is lousy with them. City historian James Hardy says there are multitudes of ghost stories and legends along Route 66 in town. You have a tree near the library that you should leave alone, a mischievous poltergeist at the … Continue reading Haunts along Route 66
Santa Monica motel to become housing for mentally ill
It's a bit of good news and bad news in this report by columnist Kevin Herrera of the Santa Monica (Calif.) Daily Press. The bad news is that the Village Motel, which has sat at 2624 Santa Monica Blvd., aka Route 66, for more than 50 years, will soon no longer operate as a lodging … Continue reading Santa Monica motel to become housing for mentally ill