Relighting ceremony for Boots Motel sign is July 19

The Boots Motel in Carthage, Mo., has set an official relighting ceremony for its restored neon sign for 8:30 p.m. Friday, July 19, according to a news release from the motel. At that time, the anonymous donor who supplied the funds to refurbish the sign will reveal himself or herself by throwing the switch. Refreshments … Continue reading Relighting ceremony for Boots Motel sign is July 19

Oatman Hotel is in the money

This video, shot over the Fourth of July holiday, shows all of the dollar bills affixed to the walls, ceilings, and whatever else is available at the Oatman Hotel in Oatman, Ariz. According to the videographer, the total count of the bills was 62,000 about three years ago. There's little reason to doubt that: https://youtu.be/Yj507i5DnRI?t=13s … Continue reading Oatman Hotel is in the money

Huge kerosene tank removed in front of El Garces

A previously unknown 20,000-gallon underground tank containing kerosene was dug up and removed from a park directly in front of the El Garces Hotel in Needles, Calif., a few days ago, reported the Mohave Daily News. Needles public works director  Marc Richards explained how the tank was discovered: Richards said the tank was discovered while crew … Continue reading Huge kerosene tank removed in front of El Garces

Group may renovate Elk City hotel into apartments

A development group may restore the long-closed Casa Grande Hotel on Route 66 in Elk City, Okla., and convert it into apartments for moderate-income families, according to an article by The Daily Elk Citian. City commissioners passed a resolution supporting the group's efforts, although it didn't pass a zoning change for the project, the newspaper … Continue reading Group may renovate Elk City hotel into apartments

Boots Motel neon sign glows again

After a complete restoration, the vintage sign at the Boots Motel in Carthage, Mo., again is glowing with neon light nightly. Ron Hart of the Route 66 Chamber of Commerce, who's also done much restoration work on the Route 66 motel, says the sign is being "beta-tested" until mid-July "when it will be officially turned on … Continue reading Boots Motel neon sign glows again

Santa Fe motel reopens as special-needs apartments

The historic Stage Coach Motor Inn in Santa Fe, N.M., reopened Tuesday as apartments for low-income or special needs residents, reported KOB-TV in Albuquerque. The Santa Fe New Mexican newspaper also had some details about the Route 66 motel's adaptive reuse: The Housing Trust of Santa Fe purchased the land where the old motel sat … Continue reading Santa Fe motel reopens as special-needs apartments

Historic Williams lodge being converted into a winery

The old Wagon Wheel Lodge east of Williams, Ariz., on Route 66 is being transformed into the Wagon Wheel Winery by its new owners, reported the Grand Canyon News. More details from the newspaper about the 10-acre property at 7545 E. Old Route 66: Ann and Louie Serna planted about 1,200 grapevines on the property … Continue reading Historic Williams lodge being converted into a winery

Customer found slain in Lincoln Motel in Chandler

An overnight guest at the historic Lincoln Motel in Chandler, Okla., was found in his room apparently beaten and stabbed to death, according to KWTV in Oklahoma City. Sam Amon Brock, 41, of Odessa, Texas, was found in a pool of blood Friday morning by the motel's owner. Police say an overnight guest, Dominique Gill … Continue reading Customer found slain in Lincoln Motel in Chandler

World’s largest Navajo rug

We'll let the videographer, David Herzberg, explain the significance of this moment in 2012 but uploaded to the Internet only a few days ago: In 1932 Lorenzo Hubbell of the famous Hubbell Trading Post network commissioned Sam and Julia Joe to weave the world's largest Navajo Rug for promotional purposes. It has not been seen … Continue reading World’s largest Navajo rug

British name Route 66 as favorite U.S. road trip

Many news releases from motel chains are self-serving and not terribly useful. But this one from Motel 6 is notable for what it says and providing numbers to support its material. According to a story posted on Breaking Travel News: Route 66 is the most popular U.S road trip for British travellers this year according … Continue reading British name Route 66 as favorite U.S. road trip