Gopal Motwani, owner of the historic but troubled Bel-Aire Motel on Sixth Street (aka Route 66) in Springfield, Illinois, died Saturday near his home in Naples, Florida, reported the Springfield State Journal-Register. After putting the motel up for sale for $750,000 -- plus $114,000 in fines for 700 code violations -- this summer, Motwani told the newspaper he … Continue reading Owner of troubled Bel-Aire Motel dies
Category: Motels
Southwest Missouri county will dedicate three historic sites
The Greene County Historic Sites Board on Saturday will dedicate three locations west of Springfield, Missouri, along Route 66 as historic sites, reported the Springfield News-Leader. One of the ceremonies will include a lightning ceremony for a restored neon sign at a former tourist cabin complex. The sites are: Barnes Town & Country, 8240 W. Highway 266, formerly … Continue reading Southwest Missouri county will dedicate three historic sites
Tucumcari Motel destroyed; apparent arsonist on the loose
The long-abandoned Tucumcari Motel near downtown Tucumcari, New Mexico, was destroyed by fire Friday -- the third suspicious fire in less than a week. The motel never was on Route 66, but it and its worn-down neon sign often was photographed by roadies who'd stumbled onto it. The motel was in a two-story structure at … Continue reading Tucumcari Motel destroyed; apparent arsonist on the loose
Fire destroys abandoned motel in Tucumcari
A suspected arson fire early Wednesday destroyed a long-closed motel known as the Payless Inn on Route 66 in Tucumcari, New Mexico, according to the Quay County Sun newspaper. When firefighters arrived at the Payless Inn, 2000 W. Rte. 66 Blvd., three separate buildings on the property were engulfed in flames, Rigdon said. The blaze leveled … Continue reading Fire destroys abandoned motel in Tucumcari
Albuquerque asks for proposals for De Anza Motel
The City of Albuquerque recently requested proposals to redevelop the historic De Anza Motor Lodge after two plans fell flat in recent years. However, one prominent business group is recommending a partial teardown of the motel. A group of Albuquerque business owners put together a list of recommendations of what it would like to see … Continue reading Albuquerque asks for proposals for De Anza Motel
A profile of the Wigwam Motel’s Kumar Patel
The Asian American Hotel Owners Association recently posted a feature about Kumar Patel, the operator of the historic Wigwam Motel in San Bernardino, California. Most stories focus on the motel, which was built along Route 66 in 1949 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. But this one focuses more about Patel himself. … Continue reading A profile of the Wigwam Motel’s Kumar Patel
El Rey Inn’s commitment to its employees
Nearly 35 years ago, the owner of the historic El Rey Inn on Route 66 in Santa Fe, New Mexico, instituted a profit-sharing plan for employees. According to CNN Money, owner Terrell White has put $7 million into the plan and paid out $5 million over the years. The hotel has 26 employees, with many of … Continue reading El Rey Inn’s commitment to its employees
Red Oak II now offering overnight stays
Red Oak II, a vivid re-creation of a now-vanished town by folk artist Lowell Davis, recently started offering overnight stays in cabins reclaimed from a former Route 66 motel in Duquesne, Missouri, reported the Joplin Globe in a feature story about Davis and his complex near Carthage, Missouri. Also, a former mayor who resides at Red Oak II … Continue reading Red Oak II now offering overnight stays
A visit to Enchanted Trails RV Park
KC Keefer with his ongoing "Genuine Route 66 Life" video series interviews Vickie Ashcraft at the Enchanted Trails RV Park west of Albuquerque. The interview also serves as a brief tour of a couple of the vintage travel trailers that Ashcraft rents out to overnight guests. If you'd like to stay in one, go here. … Continue reading A visit to Enchanted Trails RV Park
Owner of El Rancho Hotel in Gallup dies
Armand Ortega Sr., 86, savior of the historic El Rancho Hotel in Gallup, New Mexico, when it faced the wrecking ball during the 1980s, died Wednesday. An employee at the hotel said Ortega had been in failing health for about a year. His funeral was today at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Gallup, with burial at Sunset Cemetery. Ortega Family Enterprises, based in Santa Fe, owns … Continue reading Owner of El Rancho Hotel in Gallup dies