Mural painted on wall at Route 66 Motel in Barstow

The historic Route 66 Motel in Barstow, Calif., took a wall that was a troublesome graffiti magnet and had it repainted into a Route 66-themed mural, reported the Desert Dispatch newspaper. Owner Ved Shandil enlisted local artist Kim Capp to repaint the wall in the past month. The newspaper said: He said a small black … Continue reading Mural painted on wall at Route 66 Motel in Barstow

Former Albuquerque motel officially reopens as apartments

The Luna Lodge along Route 66 in Albuquerque, which dates to 1949, officially reopened today as housing for low-income residents after a $3 million renovation that kept its historic aspects. KRQE-TV in Albuquerque filed this good report about the motel's rebirth: Historic Rte. 66 lodge gets new lease on life The next project for NewLife … Continue reading Former Albuquerque motel officially reopens as apartments

Red Oak II apparently going into the motel business

At least three vintage duplexes from Joplin, Mo., were moved to the Red Oak II property near Carthage, Mo., on Wednesday, according to several photos and posts on Red Oak II's Facebook page. The sprawling Red Oak II complex, a few miles north of Route 66, serves as a re-creation of old-time, small-town America by artist Lowell Davis. … Continue reading Red Oak II apparently going into the motel business

Boots Motel needs help with “Raze the Roof” project

The Boots Motel, a Route 66 landmark in Carthage, Mo., needs both volunteer and financial assistance in the coming weeks for its "Raze the Roof" effort. The new owners want to remove the motel's gabled roof so its original flat roof can be restored. More from a news release by Ron Hart of the Route … Continue reading Boots Motel needs help with “Raze the Roof” project

A look at a future boarding house on Route 66

About a year ago, a Springfield newspaper reported that the Route 66 town of Atlanta, Ill., was reviving an old boarding house that housed overnight Route 66 travelers until the 1940s. Here's the excerpt: The community also has purchased an 1891 residence that served as a rooming house for Route 66 travelers in the 1940s, … Continue reading A look at a future boarding house on Route 66

Carlyle Motel neon sign listed for sale on eBay

The historic neon sign of the Carlyle Motel on Route 66 in Oklahoma City is listed for sale on eBay after its owners removed it several weeks ago. Steve Davis, whose eBay account is mr.classicars, has the sign listed for $99, but it carries an unnamed minimum price. The auction ends March 3. According to the … Continue reading Carlyle Motel neon sign listed for sale on eBay

Wagon Wheel Motel adds second sign

The historic Wagon Wheel Motel in Cuba, Mo., added a second neon sign to its property, according to a post on its Facebook page on Wednesday. The sign, fashioned in part from metal wheels welded together, stands on the east side of the property, near the popular Missouri Hick Bar-B-Que restaurant. The second sign greets westbound … Continue reading Wagon Wheel Motel adds second sign

Tucumcari used for fashion photo spread by Marie Claire magazine

In December, French fashion photographer Thierry Le Goues, model Katelyn Pascavis, and a large crew from Dodge Burn Foto descended on the Route 66 town of Tucumcari, N.M., and its landmark Blue Swallow Motel for several days for a photo shoot for Marie Claire magazine. Le Goues and his crew shot all over Route 66 in … Continue reading Tucumcari used for fashion photo spread by Marie Claire magazine

Bond fund cuts may jeopardize future motel revitalization in Albuquerque

The City of Albuquerque is proposing an 83 percent cut in bond funds for affordable housing, jeopardizing possible future renovations and reuse of old Route 66 properties in the city, according to an op-ed in the Albuquerque Journal. John Bloomfield, executive director of NewLife Homes, wrote the piece. NewLife guided the renovation and reuse of the … Continue reading Bond fund cuts may jeopardize future motel revitalization in Albuquerque

Part of historic sign near St. Louis removed

A huge and historic sign that advertised the Diamonds Restaurant and the Gardenway Motel in Villa Ridge, Mo., saw the Diamonds part of the sign removed in recent weeks, reported Norma Maret Bolin, author of the well-researched book "Route 66 St. Louis." Bolin said she discovered the partial removal of the sign on Feb. 10. … Continue reading Part of historic sign near St. Louis removed