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
Category: Motels
Blue Swallow Motel gets its own song
Musician Stephen Conrad apparently likes the Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, N.M., so much, he wrote a song about it for this slide-show video: https://youtu.be/gSDV8rDF8Yo Conrad created another slide-show video for the Blue Swallow and New Mexico in general, called "In the Sunshine Glow." https://youtu.be/e2967LQGT30
PBS station pays a visit to the Turquoise Room in La Posada
KAET-TV, a PBS affiliate based in Phoenix, produces the "Check, Please! Arizona" program that places the spotlight on notable restaurants in the state. Recently, the program took a closer look at chef John Sharpe and his Turquoise Room, inside the historic La Posada Hotel on Route 66 in Winslow, Ariz. https://youtu.be/weHubtWKI40?t=17m44s I embedded the video … Continue reading PBS station pays a visit to the Turquoise Room in La Posada
Long-term plan in Albuquerque includes more neon signs on Route 66
A long-term plan for Albuquerque calls for incentives for more neon signs along the Route 66 corridor, according to a story in the Albuquerque Journal. The initiative that Mayor Richard Berry calls "ABQ: The Plan" seeks to move more money into capital projects to spur more private investment. Funding isn't been sought yet, and Berry acknowledges the … Continue reading Long-term plan in Albuquerque includes more neon signs on Route 66
A look back at the 66 Park In Theatre
The YouTube account of hudson501 posted another gem in the past week. This one features a look at the long-gone 66 Park In Theatre in Crestwood, Mo., from September 1991. https://youtu.be/guZo-7778L4 The poster explains how this remarkable footage was obtained: I stopped along the south side of Watson Road (old Missouri US 66) to take … Continue reading A look back at the 66 Park In Theatre
Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame induction from 1991
A few days ago, a YouTube account called hudson501 posted a video from the 1990s of the long-gone Coral Court Motel in St. Louis and the now-closed Tri-County Truck Stop in Villa Ridge, Mo. Today, the account-holder uploaded a video of the induction of the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame on June 8, 1991. … Continue reading Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame induction from 1991
Memories of the Coral Court and Tri-County Truck Stop
A YouTube account by the name of Hudson501 uploaded this video from 1991 of the Coral Court Motel in St. Louis and the Tri-County Truck Stop in Villa Ridge, Mo. -- both of them Route 66 landmarks. The art deco-inspired Coral Court met its demise with a wrecking ball in 1995, and the truck stop … Continue reading Memories of the Coral Court and Tri-County Truck Stop
New “Route 66 Dining & Lodging Guide” is available
The updated 16th edition of "The Route 66 Dining & Lodging Guide," published by the National Historic Route 66 Federation, is now available to order. The federation didn't have the book listed on its 0nline store as of Saturday. However, it can be ordered from Amazon for $15.95 -- although it's "temporarily" out of stock. In early … Continue reading New “Route 66 Dining & Lodging Guide” is available
Springfield chamber honors owner of Route 66 Rail Haven hotel
The Springfield, Mo., Area Chamber of Commerce honored Gordon Elliott as its 2013 Springfieldian during its annual meeting Friday, according to a news release. For those who don't know who Elliott is, his Route 66 connection will become quickly apparent. To the news release: As CEO of Elliott Lodging and Oak Ridge Properties, Elliott owns and … Continue reading Springfield chamber honors owner of Route 66 Rail Haven hotel
Carlyle Motel sign disappears
On a trip Saturday to check the Green Chile Kitchen on Route 66 in Yukon, Okla., we were dismayed to find that the historic Carlyle Motel neon sign on Oklahoma City's west side had been removed. The sign had been replaced with a nondescript, orange-and-white lettered backlit sign. A source I checked with the Oklahoma … Continue reading Carlyle Motel sign disappears