The neon sign for the apparently closed Art's Motel in Farmersville, Illinois, recently was dismantled but preserved by a sign company and a historic-themed bar, both in nearby Springfield. For now, Art's Motel & Restaurant faces an uncertain future. The listed phone numbers for the motel were disconnected. A Yelp listing for the motel states … Continue reading Art’s Motel sign in Farmersville taken down
Category: Motels
Scenes from El Vado Motel’s grand reopening
Hundreds of people flocked to the grand reopening Friday night of the historic El Vado Motel in Albuquerque after a 13-year hiatus. KOB-TV filed this 2 1/2-minute report from the scene: A few facts about El Vado Motel and its $18 million redevelopment: The complex exists as a combination boutique motel, events center and a … Continue reading Scenes from El Vado Motel’s grand reopening
El Vado Motel in Albuquerque to begin taking overnight guests Monday
After almost a 13-year hiatus, the historic and redeveloped El Vado Motel in Albuquerque will begin accepting overnight guests Monday. KOB-TV reported the latest development with the Route 66 landmark. For now, prospective overnight guests can use this link at Booking.com get a room. A perusal of the site shows El Vado has rooms priced … Continue reading El Vado Motel in Albuquerque to begin taking overnight guests Monday
Rockin’ Route 66 replaces Rockabilly on the Route festival in Tucumcari
A new organization announced a Rockin' Route 66 rockabilly-themed festival in June 2019 in Tucumcari, New Mexico -- two years after the town's Rockabilly on the Route event went on hiatus. Representatives from Garage 71 and Grease Inc. made the announcement in late June about the new festival, but news of it surfaced on Facebook this … Continue reading Rockin’ Route 66 replaces Rockabilly on the Route festival in Tucumcari
Researcher of Negro Motorist Green Book lands publishing deal
Candacy Taylor, who for years has researched properties listed in a long-defunct annual publication called the Negro Motorist Green Book, announced over the weekend three books about it will be published by Abrams Books. The central book in the deal is titled "Overground Railroad: The Green Book and Roots of Mobility in Black America." It … Continue reading Researcher of Negro Motorist Green Book lands publishing deal
Should Airbnb sites on Route 66 undergo more regulation?
While Airbnb has been controversial in larger cities for years, the use of people's homes for overnight lodging is being cussed and discussed in smaller cities -- including those on Route 66. WGLT, a public radio station at Illinois State University, recently dived into the issue and the case of Kevin Lewis' 103-year-old house in … Continue reading Should Airbnb sites on Route 66 undergo more regulation?
Payroll checks bounce again at Canyon 66 in Kingman
Employees at the Canyon 66 Restaurant and Lounge at the financially troubled Ramada Kingman in Kingman, Arizona, saw their paychecks bounce again this past week. According to the Kingman Daily Miner: Marina Brown, a former server at Canyon 66, said she worked there until this week and was issued paychecks that can’t be cashed, including … Continue reading Payroll checks bounce again at Canyon 66 in Kingman
New owners intend to revive Vega Motel
The new co-owner of the Vega Motel in Vega, Texas -- who also owns a new AirBnB site along Route 66 in town -- aims to restore and eventually reopen the Route 66 motel that's been closed to overnight travelers for more than 10 years. Vega resident Karen Friemel Fangman, along with her brother Barry … Continue reading New owners intend to revive Vega Motel
Brookshire Motel in Tulsa faces possible demolition
The historic but long-closed Brookshire Motel in Tulsa faces a possible wrecking ball amid the city's continuing efforts to revitalize Route 66 in the region. The Tulsa World reported: With a bright neon sign and charming, cottage-style office, the Brookshire epitomizes the affordable, roadside motels that catered to Route 66 traffic during the Mother Road’s … Continue reading Brookshire Motel in Tulsa faces possible demolition
Did Mary Colter fabricate her role as a Fred Harvey Company architect?
For decades, historians cited Mary Colter as the key architect and designer for early 20th-century buildings in the Fred Harvey Company and the Santa Fe Railroad, including iconic structures at Grand Canyon National Park and La Posada in Winslow, Arizona. A book published last month on Amazon Kindle by Fred Shaw with the title "False … Continue reading Did Mary Colter fabricate her role as a Fred Harvey Company architect?