Roland Penttila, a reader of this website based in Albuquerque, emailed this 1955 newspaper clipping a few days ago: Penttila wrote: While many white families have fond memories of their auto adventures along Route 66 during its heyday, too little is remembered of how difficult it was for African Americans to travel U.S. highways including … Continue reading Was there a ban of black customers at Route 66 motels in eastern New Mexico?
Category: Motels
Vintage Motel Task Force sets goals, identifies challenges of Route 66 motels
The Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership this week announced its Vintage Motel Task Force set two goals and identified seven challenges that face owners of historic Route 66 motels. According to a news release from the partnership, the task force's purpose is is "to retain, sustain, and enhance the viability of vintage motels along Route 66 … Continue reading Vintage Motel Task Force sets goals, identifies challenges of Route 66 motels
Blue Swallow Motel of Tucumcari put up for sale
Acknowledging "mixed feelings," the owners of the Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, New Mexico, announced they have put the iconic Route 66 property on the market. Co-owners Kevin and Nancy Mueller made the announcement Monday night in a Facebook post. It stated: We’ve given our hearts, souls, and financial resources over eight seasons, working to … Continue reading Blue Swallow Motel of Tucumcari put up for sale
More details emerge about Decades of Wheels complex in Baxter Springs
The Decades of Wheels complex in downtown Baxter Springs, Kansas, will be "95 percent" finished by its opening weekend Oct. 12-14. Decades of Wheels will contain a classic-car museum, restaurant, bed-and-breakfast and children's fun house. A story in the Joplin Globe about the progress of the $3 million project brought forth previously unreported details about … Continue reading More details emerge about Decades of Wheels complex in Baxter Springs
Lexington Hotel in Gallup goes up for sale
The historic Lexington Hotel in downtown Gallup, New Mexico, has been put up for sale by the nonprofit organization that owns it. According to a story by the Associated Press, CARE 66, which owns the building, said it no longer has the money to keep it. CARE 66 Executive Director Sanjay Choudhrie says the organization … Continue reading Lexington Hotel in Gallup goes up for sale
Michael Wallis’ “The Coming of Roads” speech
A few days ago, someone at the National Center for Preservation Technology and Training uploaded a video and transcript of Michael Wallis' keynote speech during the "Are We There Yet: Preservation of Roadside Architecture and Attractions" symposium in April in Tulsa. Wallis speech, "The Coming of Roads," contains several familiar themes from those who have … Continue reading Michael Wallis’ “The Coming of Roads” speech
Vintage photo of John’s Modern Cabins surfaces
Route 66 postcard collector and author Joe Sonderman recently helped unearth a long-forgotten photograph of John's Modern Cabins near Newburg, Missouri, taken in August 1966. Sonderman posted the image -- along with another rare photograph of nearby Vernelle's Motel during the same period -- on Saturday on Facebook. To date, the 1966 photo of John's … Continue reading Vintage photo of John’s Modern Cabins surfaces
University Lodge in Albuquerque plans big transformation
The historic University Lodge in Albuquerque eventually will be transformed into a boutique hotel, including retail spaces and a rooftop brewery and restaurant. According to a story in Albuquerque Business First, the University Lodge at 3711 Central Ave. (aka Route 66) will be rebranded as a "chic" and "retro" Avenue Motel, Sharamin Dharas told the newspaper. … Continue reading University Lodge in Albuquerque plans big transformation
El Pueblo Motel in Flagstaff may become Code Talkers museum
The historic El Pueblo Motel in Flagstaff, Arizona, may become a museum to Navajo Indians who served as Code Talkers during World War II. A feature story in the Arizona Daily Sun newspaper about Route 66 revealed that bid. The motel at 3120 E. Historic Route 66 was built in 1937, making it the oldest … Continue reading El Pueblo Motel in Flagstaff may become Code Talkers museum
Affeldt acquires historic saloon near Santa Fe
Allan Affeldt, the savior of La Posada hotel in Winslow, Arizona, who is restoring the Castaneda Hotel in Las Vegas, New Mexico, recently acquired another historic property south of Santa Fe, New Mexico. According to the Santa Fe New Mexican, Affeldt now owns the Legal Tender restaurant and saloon in the village of Lamy, New … Continue reading Affeldt acquires historic saloon near Santa Fe