Redforkhippiechick received an interesting comment a few days ago from Karim Hakam about her post in February about the endangered El Vado Motel on Route 66 in Albuquerque. Hakam's father ran El Vado for a number of years. Here's what he had to say: ... It never ceases to amaze me how passionate the Route … Continue reading An interesting note about El Vado Motel
Category: Motels
A visit to the Museum of Transportation
Elisa Crouch, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Along for the Ride columnist, recently paid a visit to the Museum of Transportation in west St. Louis County, Mo. It's a cool museum -- lots of displays of trains and antique cars. But Route 66 fans will like it because of this display: There were many other interesting … Continue reading A visit to the Museum of Transportation
Thoughts on El Vado hearing
Johnny Meier, a longtime member of the New Mexico Route 66 Association, attended the recent hearing regarding the demolition application of El Vado Motel in Albuquerque. Here are excerpts from an e-mail of his thoughts: The projected income was argued by the developer to be considered as an unreasonable rate of return given the cost … Continue reading Thoughts on El Vado hearing
Re-use of a historic Route 66 motel
Following a discussion about preserving historic Route 66 motels on the Albuquerque blog Duke City Fix, contributor Arizona Phil found this fascinating Albuquerque Journal story about developers converting the old Cactus Motel, along old Route 66 in Santa Fe, into the Cactus Centro business center. The anchor is the Sun Loan Company, where the former … Continue reading Re-use of a historic Route 66 motel
El Vado’s fate remains in limbo
The City of Albuquerque's Landmarks and Urban Commission held a hearing for 3 1/2 hours Wednesday, but no decision was made about whether to allow a demolition permit for the historic Route 66 motel, according to the Albuquerque Tribune. The commission will hold another meeting Jan. 10 to hear more witnesses and testimony. Based on … Continue reading El Vado’s fate remains in limbo
Western Motel in Bethany gets a reprieve
Several weeks ago, it appeared the historic Western Motel in Bethany, Okla., was in jeopardy. The manager was busted during a prostitution sting, and the city filed a notice to abate the nuisance -- usually a first step that leads to a motel's demolition. But things have changed. The motel's owner, Ken Patel, has taken … Continue reading Western Motel in Bethany gets a reprieve
Maple Motel is torn down
Tonya Pike, a Missouri roadie, reports that the Maple Motel & Restaurant at 2233 N. Glenstone Ave., a Route 66 alignment, in Springfield, Mo., has been torn down. The property had been for sale. Pike said it was the third historic property in Springfield to be torn down this year. The above image comes from … Continue reading Maple Motel is torn down
Sci-Fi Channel’s “The Lost Room” has Route 66 angle
A new drama on the Sci-Fi Channel that premieres tonight called "The Lost Room," which takes place in the fictitious Sunshine Motel in New Mexico along old Route 66. Here's a summary of the show, straight from its Web site: In the 1960s, there still were hundreds of motels with thousands of rooms along Route … Continue reading Sci-Fi Channel’s “The Lost Room” has Route 66 angle
La Posada de Albuquerque will be closed a while longer
Last we heard, La Posada de Albuquerque, which was closed for renovations in 2005, was going to reopen sometime in spring 2007. Now it looks like the reopening isn't going to happen anytime soon. According to Duke City Fix, owner Gary Goodman is asking the city for $9 million in industrial revenue bonds to continue … Continue reading La Posada de Albuquerque will be closed a while longer
A report from the road
Redforkhippiechick ventured to Vega, Texas, to help the owners of the Vega Motel prepare for their eventual reopening and stayed in the newly refurbished Apache Motel in Tucumcari, N.M. There are other things she observed and shot photographs of. Check them out.