The owners of the Boots Motel in Carthage, Mo., have set dates for "Raze the Roof" weekend, where it's hoped enough volunteers will show up to remove the gabled roof of the historic Route 66 motel so the original flat roof can eventually be restored. From the motel's Facebook page: Priscilla and Debye have settled … Continue reading Boots Motel sets “Raze the Roof” volunteer days
Category: Motels
Two Tucumcari motels earn TripAdvisor awards
Not just one, but two motels in the Route 66 town of Tucumcari, N.M., were given 2013 Traveler's Choice Awards by TripAdvisor.com for being rated among the top 25 bargain hotels in the United States. The Blue Swallow Motel was ranked No. 3 in its category, and the Motel Safari was No. 20. Both motels sit … Continue reading Two Tucumcari motels earn TripAdvisor awards
Spectacular views of the Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona has long been a popular side trip for Route 66 travelers. Here's likely best video of the park you'll see, courtesy of Lee Kirchner and Kevin Rossi of GOTM Films. Grand Canyon : Blink of Time from GOTM Films on Vimeo. Another excellent video, shot by Dan Carter … Continue reading Spectacular views of the Grand Canyon
Year in review at the Blue Swallow Motel
Kevin and Nancy Mueller of the Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, N.M., put together this slide show of happenings in 2012 at the historic landmark. From the description: Our second year of operation was a whirlwind of activity and restoration work. We had so many wonderful guests, and wish we could show every one of … Continue reading Year in review at the Blue Swallow Motel
Memories of the Arrow / Strufe Motel
The Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway this week posted more "Route 66 Stories" videos. This one features Fred Strufe, whose family ran the Arrow / Strufe Motel in Dwight, Ill., for many years. Strufe packed in a slew of fascinating stories, including a hilarious one about a honeymooning couple, in five minutes: https://youtu.be/jjo8Xha6K7Y The Strufe … Continue reading Memories of the Arrow / Strufe Motel
Vince Gill video showcases Rialto Square Theater
I didn't know this until a few days ago -- country singer Vince Gill's official video for his 1992 hit, "I Still Believe In You," was shot entirely at the Rialto Square Theater in Joliet, Ill. Music videos are meant to showcase the artist and the song. But this one shows off that historic theater … Continue reading Vince Gill video showcases Rialto Square Theater
Former Route 66 motel site in Albuquerque will be apartments
An apartment complex is proposed for former site of the Silver Moon Lodge near downtown Albuquerque, reported the Albuquerque Journal. However, the developer will pay tribute to the motel and its Route 66 roots by reusing its sign. DBG Properties, a division of GSL Properties in Portland, Ore., has applied for $8 million in revenue … Continue reading Former Route 66 motel site in Albuquerque will be apartments
Cars Land can be found in Florida, too
Everyone who reads this site knows that Cars Land, based on the fictional Route 66 town of Radiator Springs in the movie "Cars," became an instant big attraction when it opened this year at Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, Calif. It's not quite as elaborate, but Cars Land also has arrived at Disney World's … Continue reading Cars Land can be found in Florida, too
Motel in St. Louis will be renovated, add Route 66 to its name
The new owners of the Holiday Inn Southwest & Viking Conference Center in Sunset Hills, Mo., will change its name to Holiday Inn Route 66. They also will spend millions of dollars on renovations, including restoring the motel's early 1970s architecture, reported the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Amrit and Amy Gill, who renovated the historic Hotel Blackhawk … Continue reading Motel in St. Louis will be renovated, add Route 66 to its name
Boots Motel’s original neon sign will be restored by spring
An anonymous donation will enable the neon sign of the historic Boots Motel in Carthage, Mo., to be restored by "early next year" -- including its original color scheme and original "Boots Court" name. Debye Harvey, co-owner of the Route 66 landmark that dates to 1939, explained what happened in a Facebook post on Wednesday: Thanks … Continue reading Boots Motel’s original neon sign will be restored by spring