The historic Apple Valley Motel along old Route 66 in Mitchell, Illinois, was gutted by fire Sunday, according to several media outlets in the St. Louis region. The Belleville News-Democrat reported the blaze involved at least a dozen rooms. The newspaper also posted this video from the scene: The newspaper, which reported the motel was … Continue reading Fire destroys Apple Valley Motel in Mitchell
Category: Motels
L&L Motel in Bloomington torn down for more parking
Steve Vogel, a columnist for the Pantagraph newspaper in Bloomington, Illinois, had this startling piece of news in a recent column: Did you notice part of Bloomington-Normal’s link to Route 66 just disappeared? ... the L&L Motel on Morrissey Drive has been leveled … the new property owners are the folks at Grady’s Pizza and Family Fun … Continue reading L&L Motel in Bloomington torn down for more parking
Gallup motel gets negligent with its security
The Rodeway Inn along Route 66 in Gallup, New Mexico, earned a few truckloads of bad publicity when this video by a couple of travelers went viral to the tune of 4.5 million views and counting in less than a week: https://youtu.be/HbQauX2LOFI Apparently the motel's management was programming card keys so sloppily or lazily, they could open … Continue reading Gallup motel gets negligent with its security
So what really happened to the Blue Swallow Motel’s former owner?
A number of books, websites and even an application to the National Register of Historic Places tell a tragic story of Ted F. Jones, former owner of the Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, New Mexico. It was reported for years that Jones, a prominent eastern New Mexico rancher, owned the Route 66 motel through much of … Continue reading So what really happened to the Blue Swallow Motel’s former owner?
Elvis sightings on Route 66
The Marshfield Mail in Missouri published an extensive listing of Elvis Presley sightings and shows in the Show-Me State in 1956 -- the year he came into national prominence. The future King of Rock 'n' Roll's tours brought him to a few Route 66 landmarks that year. According to the newspaper. --- "By May 1956, Elvis was … Continue reading Elvis sightings on Route 66
Fire heavily damages Desert Sands Motel in Albuquerque
A fire early Tuesday engulfed two-thirds of the historic Desert Sands Motel along old Route 66 in Albuquerque and left 57 long-term residents there homeless, according to varying media accounts. The Albuquerque Journal reported 22 firefighting units were called to the scene at 1:45 a.m. At least two people were hospitalized with smoke inhalation. KOB-TV … Continue reading Fire heavily damages Desert Sands Motel in Albuquerque
Los Angeles may preserve ‘Green Book’ properties
Los Angeles and the Getty Conservation Institute are exploring the possibility of rehabbing and protecting about 50 properties once listed in the Negro Motorist Green Book. A few of the properties may be designated as L.A. Historic-Cultural Monuments, reported the Los Angeles Times. The Green Book was created by Victor H. Green, a postal service worker from Harlem, N.Y., … Continue reading Los Angeles may preserve ‘Green Book’ properties
Springfield, Missouri, sees boom in hotel business
Springfield, Missouri, is experiencing a boom in hotel business so far in 2016, and it appears one big reason for it is Route 66. According to the KY3 station in town: The Convention and Visitors bureau says the number of visitors so far...and the number of hotel rooms occupied, has surpassed last year. Tracy Kimberlin … Continue reading Springfield, Missouri, sees boom in hotel business
Trailer for “The Missouri Maze” film released
Filmmaker KC Keefer and host Nick Gerlich of Unoccupied Route 66 recently released this trailer for "The Missouri Maze," an area of the Show Me State where Route 66 was rerouted several times. The ruins of John's Modern Cabins near Newburg, Missouri, play a prominent role, although other landmarks of the region also appear. https://youtu.be/E_91r4gqDe0 "The Missouri … Continue reading Trailer for “The Missouri Maze” film released
Route 66 hostel opens in Joplin
Joplin 66 Hostel, which is catering to travelers along the Mother Road, opened a few weeks ago in Duenweg, Missouri, an eastern suburb of Joplin. The hostel is located at 6863 Newman Road (map here), a short distance north of Business 44. It opened April 1. It's the first hostel in the Joplin area. Rates … Continue reading Route 66 hostel opens in Joplin