The Gallup Independent reports that a fire in a pool house of the America's Best Value Inn & Suites on Route 66 in Gallup, N.M., forced evacuations. Heat from the fire slightly damaged the recently remodeled motel, but no structural damage occurred.
Category: Motels
Pain Walker update
Dennis Kinch, who's walking Route 66 for the National Pain Foundation, updated his site and told of his latest adventures on the Mother Road. He received the red-carpet treatment from Becky Ransom at the Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo, marked his birthday in Glenrio and stayed at the Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, N.M. … Continue reading Pain Walker update
Fire destroys Bellemont, Ariz., tavern
Junior Whipp's Inn on Route 66 in Bellemont, Ariz. (about 12 miles west of Flagstaff), was destroyed by fire on Tuesday. Whipp, reports the Arizona Daily Sun, wasn't injured. The tavern had been open nearly 50 years. It was a favorite for motorcycle riders, locals and Camp Navajo workers. Bellemont was featured in a scene … Continue reading Fire destroys Bellemont, Ariz., tavern
Have you slept in the Wigwam lately?
Ace Jackalope of The Lope blog pays his first visit to the restored Wigwam Motel on Route 66 in Rialto, Calif. As usual, he took a lot of photographs. Ace was impressed with the work the Patels did on the once-seedy property.
Blue Swallow Motel’s new owners revealed
The new proprieters of the famed Blue Swallow Motel on Route 66 in Tucumcari, N.M., will be Bill Kinder and Terri Johnson. They are a retired couple from Florida. The ownership change occur in early March, according to the Quay County Sun. “We’ve been thinking about buying a motel for about 10 years,
Magazine touts two Route 66 motels
Tracy Staton of American Way magazine recently picked her 15 favorite vintage motels in the United States. Both Wigwam Motels on Route 66 -- the one in Holbrook, Ariz., and the one in Rialto, Calif. -- made the cut. I'm just disappointed this one didn't make the list. (Hat tip to Manoj Patel at the … Continue reading Magazine touts two Route 66 motels
Twilight Zone at the Summit Inn
Ace Jackalope of The Lope blog continues his Route 66 trip through the California desert. Included is Ace's link of the Summit Inn near Cajon Pass to "The Twilight Zone" television show. There also are plenty of nice photos of old neon signs in San Bernardino and Rialto.
City’s decision on El Vado earns praise
The Albuquerque Tribune's opinion page has a regular "bouquets and brickbats" feature, in which it heaps its praise or derision on what's happening with local issues. The Tribune sent a bouquet to the Albuquerque City Council for designating landmark status Monday night to El Vado Motel on Route 66. Albuquerque obsessed with razing historic buildings … Continue reading City’s decision on El Vado earns praise
Another report on El Vado decision
Here's the report from the Albuquerque Tribune.
Give ’em a thank-you
Because the Albuquerque City Council so resoundingly passed the resolution to designate El Vado Motel a city landmark and listened to our pleas for preservation, I recommend that you thank the council's members. You can do so by clicking here and writing a quick note. Being a politician is often a thankless job; I have … Continue reading Give ’em a thank-you