A set of long-abandoned, rock-faced tourist cabins just off old Route 66 east of Kellyville, Okla., was torn down Monday afternoon. I received word from Route 66 fan Frank Gierhart of Sapulpa that the bulldozers were out Monday. Arriving there, I saw that the cabins were still standing, but a backhoe was digging a big … Continue reading Kellyville cabins torn down
Category: Motels
Arson damages Winslow railroad bridge
At least one local teen has 'fessed up to starting a fire that damaged a BNSF railroad bridge just east of La Posada in Winslow, Ariz., reports the Winslow Daily Mail. Repair workers had the bridge shored up enough that train traffic resumed within a day.
Restoration of Needles hotel begins
The long-closed El Garces Hotel in Needles, Calif., built in 1908 and one of the last surviving railroad Harvey Houses, recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for its rehabilitation, reported the Mohave Daily News. According to the article: Plans call for El Garces to include a state of California Needles Visitor Center, an inter-modal transit center, … Continue reading Restoration of Needles hotel begins
Sunset at John’s Modern Cabins
Redforkhippie has composed a thoughtful photo essay about the deteriorating ruins of John's Modern Cabins along old Route 66 west of Rolla, Mo.
A lodging option for Old Town tourists
Here's a place very close to historic Route 66 and the Old Town neighborhood of Albuquerque that I was previously unaware -- Bottger Mansion of Old Town. According to this travel article in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Bottger, built in 1910, is the only survivor of four mansions built in Old Town. The B&B's … Continue reading A lodging option for Old Town tourists
Goodies from the Roadside America newsletter
In the regular e-mail newsletter from the excellent Roadside America site, there are two new Route 66-related field reports: Wigwam Village Motel #6 in Holbrook, Ariz. The Route 66 Monument in Tucumcari, N.M.
Wigwam Motel makes “Quirky sleeps” list
Gary A. Warner, travel editor of the Orange County Register, gives out his personal list of "the funniest, funkiest and most wonderfully strangest places I've visited." Not surprisingly, the Wigwam Motels made the list, with kudos to the one on Route 66 in Rialto, Calif.: Wampum required: Wigwam Motels.There are three surviving Wigwam motels. The … Continue reading Wigwam Motel makes “Quirky sleeps” list
Litchfield cafe-motel complex named to National Register
The Belvedere Cafe and Motel on 817 Old Route 66 in Litchfield, Ill., was named to the National Register of Historic Places on March 2. The Belvedere is better-known as the former home of the Route 66 Cafe before it moved down the street a few years ago. Last I heard, the restaurant building was … Continue reading Litchfield cafe-motel complex named to National Register
Albuquerque approves funds for La Posada
A few days ago, the City of Albuquerque approved issuing $8.9 million in industrial revenue bonds to help renovate the historic La Posada de Albuquerque in downtown, reported the Albuquerque Journal. Owner Gary Goodman was supposed to reopen the hotel this spring, but renovation costs were higher than anticipated. It's now anticipated to open in … Continue reading Albuquerque approves funds for La Posada
Chrome horse
The Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, N.M., had an interesting visitor last week. Read this story from the Quay County Sun to see what it's all about.