The San Gabriel (Calif.) Tribune reports that the historic Aztec Hotel on Route 66 in Monrovia is undergoing a restoration -- with $50,000 coming from a grant from the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program. The hotel, built in 1925, is best-known for its design that was inspired by Mayan and Aztec sculptures. It's been on … Continue reading Grant will help restore Aztec Hotel
Category: Motels
Details from El Vado meeting
Highlights, quotes, etc. from the Albuquerque City Council meeting: Richard Gonzales, the developer who bought El Vado last fall with the intention of tearing it down and replacing it with luxury townhouses, started his comments to the council with this gem: I'm not prepared to make any presentation to you this evening, because I just … Continue reading Details from El Vado meeting
7 to 1 for El Vado
The Albuquerque City Council just voted 7-1 to approve the designation of the historic El Vado Motel as a city landmark. The designation will take effect June 1, with a provision in the ordinance stating that no demolition permits can be issued for the property between now and then. Film at 11 (ABQ time, that … Continue reading 7 to 1 for El Vado
El Vado is on Albuquerque city council agenda
The proposal to designate El Vado Motel a city landmark at the Albuquerque City Council meeting Monday night has been placed on the agenda. It's not 100 percent certain, but the fact it's on the agenda means a decision is probable. So if you haven't e-mailed the councilors, asking them to approve the landmarks designation, … Continue reading El Vado is on Albuquerque city council agenda
Nighttime neon in Albuquerque
Dr. Howdy and his Thought & Humor blog have posted some swell neon sign photos from Albuquerque's Route 66. Check them out.
Chain of Rocks Motel sign removed
Kip Welborn of Friends of the Mother Road reports that the wonderful old Chain of Rocks Motel sign (above), located off Illinois 3 and Chain of Rocks Road (old Route 66) in Granite City, Ill., has been replaced by this snoozer sign (below). No word on what has happened to the sign. More than likely, … Continue reading Chain of Rocks Motel sign removed
Gallup motel may see wrecking ball
The Gallup Independent reports that the abandoned Shalimar Inn on Route 66 in Gallup, N.M., is on the city's condemnation report and may be torn down. The newspaper report indicates that the property has been extensively vandalized and rendered filthy by squatters.
Pain Walker strolls into New Mexico
Dennis Kinch, the man who's walking Route 66 for the National Pain Foundation, has passed the halfway mark of his journey and is in San Jon in far eastern New Mexico. Within a day or so, he'll be propping up his weary feet and relaxing here. At least I would, anyway.
Motel reopens in Atlanta, Ill.
The Bloomington Pantagraph reports that a motel that had been closed for eight months near Interstate 55 in the Route 66 town of Atlanta, Ill., has reopened as an America's Best Value Inn. I believe the motel had been called the I-55 Motel, where I had stayed once several years ago. New owner Narish Desai … Continue reading Motel reopens in Atlanta, Ill.
Blue Swallow Motel may have a buyer
I just got an e-mail from Richard Randals of the New Mexico Property Group in Tucumcari, N.M. He just told me the Blue Swallow Motel, one of the most historic and best-preserved properties on Route 66, is under contract with a potential buyer. This Web page also confirmed the Blue Swallow as being under contract. … Continue reading Blue Swallow Motel may have a buyer