What is Massachusetts' loss apparently is Oklahoma Route 66's gain. The Hi-Way Cafe in Vinita, Oklahoma, recently acquired the so-called "Big Indian" that stood outside the Native and Himalayan Views, formerly the Big Indian Shop, for nearly 50 years in Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts. According to the Greenfield Recorder, the 20-foot-tall fiberglass statue was the subject … Continue reading ‘Big Indian’ statue in Massachusetts moving to Hi-Way Cafe in Vinita
Category: Motels
Clinton City Council approves demolition bid for Glancy Motel, but not without some resistance
The Clinton, Oklahoma, City Council a few days ago approved a demolition bid to tear down the Glancy Motel as expected, but not without hearing an earful from a few preservationists. The motel will make way for a new headquarters for the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. Accepting the demo bid was recommended just days before by … Continue reading Clinton City Council approves demolition bid for Glancy Motel, but not without some resistance
Renovations on Imperial Inn motel in Albuquerque likely will be finished by fall
A two-year renovation project on the once-troubled Imperial Inn motel in Albuquerque likely will be completed by the autumn. The motel at 701 Central Ave. (aka Route 66) will have 52 guest rooms, 16 residential suites and several businesses. KRQE-TV in Albuquerque filed this report: According to RoadsideArchitecture.com, the Imperial Inn opened in the early 1960s … Continue reading Renovations on Imperial Inn motel in Albuquerque likely will be finished by fall
Ramona Lehman, longtime owner of the Munger Moss Motel, dies at 85
Ramona Lehman, the owner of the historic Munger Moss Motel in Lebanon, Missouri, for more than a half-century, died Wednesday morning. She was 85. Tributes to Lehman on social media began pouring in shortly after her death was announced: Lehman had been in frail health after the death of her husband Bob in 2019. Early … Continue reading Ramona Lehman, longtime owner of the Munger Moss Motel, dies at 85
Silver Saddle Motel in Santa Fe transformed into The Mystic Santa Fe
In its 75th year of existence, the Silver Saddle Motel along the Old Route 66 alignment of Santa Fe, New Mexico, has been renovated and rechristened as The Mystic Santa Fe. According to Albuquerque Business First (subscription required), the husband-and-wife team of Amanda Tucker and Rick Goldberg acquired the property at 2810 Cerrillos Road (aka … Continue reading Silver Saddle Motel in Santa Fe transformed into The Mystic Santa Fe
Clinton accepts bid for Glancy Motel demolition, but not without pushback
The Clinton, Oklahoma, Economic Development Authority last week ultimately accepted a bid to tear down the closed Glancy Motel along Route 66, but not without resistance from a trustee and one resident who both questioned the move. The vote was 4-1, with the only dissenting vote by newly appointed trustee John Lee Cornell. He noted … Continue reading Clinton accepts bid for Glancy Motel demolition, but not without pushback
Possible tornado destroys Skyline Motel in McCook
A likely tornado several days ago destroyed the family-owned Skyline Motel along Route 66 in McCook, Illinois. ABC 7 in nearby Chicago reported the Patel family, which emigrated to America during the early 1990s, has owned the motel at 8136 Joliet Road (aka Route 66) for about 30 years. The possible tornado ripped the roof … Continue reading Possible tornado destroys Skyline Motel in McCook
Newspaper talks to longtime owner of the doomed Diamond Inn Motel in Villa Ridge
If you have a few minutes, read this long feature in the Washington Missourian about L.B. Eckelkamp Jr., the longtime owner of the Diamond Inn Motel in Villa Ridge, Missouri. The Diamond Inn, which turned 50 years old not long ago, probably will be torn down by the time you read this. Ultimately, the motel, … Continue reading Newspaper talks to longtime owner of the doomed Diamond Inn Motel in Villa Ridge
Fire damages two guest rooms at Fender’s River Road Resort in Needles
A recent fire damaged two guest rooms at the Fender's River Road Resort in Needles, California, though the Route 66 landmark still is operating. Pat Bremer of the Road Trip Memories page on Facebook posted a photo of the damage during the July 4 holiday: A clerk who answered the phone at Fender's said the … Continue reading Fire damages two guest rooms at Fender’s River Road Resort in Needles
Little America Hotel in Flagstaff marks its 50th anniversary
The popular and highly praised Little America Hotel in Flagstaff, Arizona, recently marked its 50th year in business. As the Arizona Daily Sun in Flagstaff tells it, the hotel is the second such hotel and resort built by the Holding Family in the Little America network that originated in 1952. There now are eight such … Continue reading Little America Hotel in Flagstaff marks its 50th anniversary