Now, this is what we call hands-on restoration. According to this story in the Mohave Daily News, artist and sculptor Dan Lutzick has been hired as project manager for the restoration of El Garces, a former Harvey House, in Needles, Calif. And he's not just dropping by the site every week or so: In April, … Continue reading Project manager moves onto El Garces site
Category: Motels
Aztec Hotel will undergo renovations
The historic Aztec Hotel in Monrovia, Calif., is set to have a bunch of renovations in the coming weeks, including the renaming of its Elephant Bar, reported the Pasadena Star-News. The building has an extensive Mayan theme, and the work done will better reflect that. The hotel is receiving a $50,000 grant from the California … Continue reading Aztec Hotel will undergo renovations
“Cars” the movie — one year later
On June 9, 2006, Disney/Pixar released the animated movie, "Cars." It became the second-biggest box-office hit of that year, grossing more than $400 million worldwide. Its four-wheeled characters in the lonely desert town of Radiator Springs earned many millions of dollars for Mattel and other toy companies. It earned two Golden Globes and was nominated … Continue reading “Cars” the movie — one year later
Route 66 among 7 Wonders of Arizona contest
Taking a page from Illinois' tourism bureau, the Arizona Republic newspaper is holding an online contest to select the state's seven wonders. There currently are 47 nominees. The number will be reduced each week, until the final seven are standing on July 7. Route 66 is listed in Heat 2, and La Posada in Winslow … Continue reading Route 66 among 7 Wonders of Arizona contest
Route 66 motels — a closer look
Ed Stoddard of Reuters takes a closer look at Route 66 motels that were listed as threatened by the National Trust of Historic Preservation. The article includes a nighttime photo of the neon sign of the Western Motel, which nearly was lost because of bad management until its owner cleaned up the place.
Route 66 motels make National Trust’s most-endangered list
The National Trust for Historic Preservation included Route 66 motels on its annual list of the 11 Most Endangered Historic Places, which was announced today in Washington, D.C. America’s priceless heritage is at risk—from the storied waterfronts of Brooklyn to the neon-clad mom-and-pop motels of Route 66—some of America’s most irreplaceable landmarks are threatened. [...] … Continue reading Route 66 motels make National Trust’s most-endangered list
Inklings of a Route 66 motel revival
Using the restoration of Roy's in Amboy, Calif., to anchor the story, the New York Times' real-estate section a few days ago reported there are signs of new interest in protecting and refurbishing old motels on Route 66. The whole article is excellent, but this excerpt about the City of Albuquerque's long, continuing fight to … Continue reading Inklings of a Route 66 motel revival
Triangle Motel to host cowboy poetry night
The Triangle Motel, a historic Route 66 motel in Amarillo, Texas, that is in the process of an involved restoration project, will host a cowboy poetry program at 7 p.m. June 20. The event will host poets, singers and musicians, including those from the Big Texan Steak Ranch. Eastbound Route 66ers who are going to … Continue reading Triangle Motel to host cowboy poetry night
Needles hopes for more rail tourism
The Route 66 town of Needles, Calif., hopes that its future includes more railroad tourists after its historic Harvey House, El Garces, is restored by a team that refurbished another Harvey House in Winslow, Ariz., reports the Reuters wire service. A number of towns like Needles, which based much of its business on Route 66 … Continue reading Needles hopes for more rail tourism
Former Best Western Trade Winds motel owner dies
On Saturday, I received word from prominent Route 66 author Michael Wallis that Walter "Doc" Mason, former owner of the fabled Best Western Trade Winds Motor Hotel in Clinton, Okla., has died. The Trade Winds is best-known for hosting Elvis Presley for at least four overnight stays during his occasional cross-country drives from Memphis to … Continue reading Former Best Western Trade Winds motel owner dies