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
Category: Motels
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
El Garces restoration may begin in earnest
After many months of delays, it appears the restoration of the historic El Garces Hotel in Needles, Calif., will begin soon. According to a story Monday in the Needles Desert Star, the City Council approved a $188,000 bid from a glass contractor to install windows as a part of the restoration's second phase. The newspaper … Continue reading El Garces restoration may begin in earnest
Music video shot at the Blue Swallow Motel
These teenage triplets, called Emma Rose and The Band, shot a lot of footage at the historic Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, N.M., for their music video for "Shooting Star." https://youtu.be/SceR2B2B9-0 You can check out the Atlanta group's other music clips on its YouTube channel.