A collector purchased and removed the 1950s-era neon sign at the Cactus RV Park in Tucumcari, New Mexico, and the RV park and former motel there soon may be bought out by a national auto-parts chain. Workers and a truck from SignArt in Albuquerque dismantled and removed the sign Thursday from the property. Johnnie Meier, … Continue reading Cactus RV Park sign in Tucumcari removed; property may be sold
Category: Motels
Woman worked for two Route 66 icons in Arizona
Here's an obituary you don't read every day -- an Arizona woman who died earlier this month worked not for one, but two bona fide Route 66 icons during her lifetime. Dorthy “Dottie” Ann Hatch Hansen, 83, of St. Johns, Arizona, died Oct. 19. She was born in Pinedale, Arizona, but spent most of her … Continue reading Woman worked for two Route 66 icons in Arizona
Earl’s Motor Court in Winslow changes hands
Earl's Motor Court, a longtime fixture along Route 66 in Winslow, Arizona, changed owners this summer, but little else will change at the motel itself. Angela Archibeque said during a phone interview Sunday she and her boyfriend Blas Sanchez, both Winslow natives, bought the motel for $190,000 in July after its longtime matriarch, Floranel Earl, … Continue reading Earl’s Motor Court in Winslow changes hands
Tax-increment financing district considered in two spots on Tulsa’s Route 66
The city of Tulsa is considering two tax-increment financing districts along Route 66 it hopes will boost other projects along the corridor. Tulsa Public Radio reports: Two proposed tax increment financing districts around Mother Road Market and the old Tulsa Welding School site would generate an estimated $23.7 million dollars over 25 years to pay … Continue reading Tax-increment financing district considered in two spots on Tulsa’s Route 66
Long-closed Barfield Building in Amarillo to become a Marriott
The Barfield Building in downtown Amarillo, closed for almost 25 years, soon will be reborn as the Barfield Marriott. KFDA-TV in Amarillo had the scoop: The City of Amarillo just approved a $20 million permit, allowing the contractor to begin renovations. “The Barfield Building is one of our most historic buildings in downtown,” said Beth … Continue reading Long-closed Barfield Building in Amarillo to become a Marriott
Decades of Wheels in Baxter Springs opens with concerts, car shows
The Decades of Wheels car museum and other related businesses in downtown Baxter Springs, Kansas, opened over the weekend with several high-profile concerts, car and motorcycle shows. The event was declared a success by organizers, despite chilly temperatures and rain marring the festivities, according to the Cherokee County News-Advocate. The weekend included shows by Grand … Continue reading Decades of Wheels in Baxter Springs opens with concerts, car shows
Stories on Preserve Route 66 trip drew potential audience of 1.1 billion
The Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership a few days ago issued its third-quarter report. Among the interesting nuggets is the National Trust for Historic Preservation's Preserve Route 66 road trip generated more than 1,000 news stories and drew a potential audience of 1.15 billion. Here are the tidbits from the report: --- The National Trust's … Continue reading Stories on Preserve Route 66 trip drew potential audience of 1.1 billion
A look at the Wigwam Motels almost 25 years ago
Anthony Reichardt recently uploaded videos he shot during the early to mid-1990s at the Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, Arizona, and Wigwam Motel in Rialto, California. Reichardt has uploaded dozens of videos from that era on his 1959 Cadillac on Route 66 channel. They hold a lot of historic value, as not a lot of videos … Continue reading A look at the Wigwam Motels almost 25 years ago
De Anza Motor Lodge scheduled to reopen by April
Redevelopment of the De Anza Motor Lodge in Albuquerque is scheduled to be finished by February with grand reopening tentatively set for April. Groundbreaking for the $9 million project began in November, and the Albuquerque Journal reports the site now looks drastically different. Construction project manager Jim Trump Nearly all of the buildings have come … Continue reading De Anza Motor Lodge scheduled to reopen by April
Longtime operator of Monterey Motel in Albuquerque dies
Norman Bugg, who operated the Monterey Motel along Route 66 in Albuquerque for 25 years, died Sunday of heart failure. He was 89. The Albuquerque Journal, which reported Bugg's death Monday, said he refurbished and remodeled an aging motel into Triple Diamond-rated lodging. Miroslaw and Boguslawa Elencwajg later acquired the motel and renamed it Monterey Non-Smokers … Continue reading Longtime operator of Monterey Motel in Albuquerque dies