Mildred Barker, longtime co-owner of the Truxton Cafe and Frontier Motel in the Route 66 hamlet of Truxton, Ariz., died Thursday at age 87, according to an obituary today in the Kingman Daily Miner. Ray and Mildred Barker purchased the Truxton cafe and its attached motel in 1957. She and her husband were born in … Continue reading Longtime owner of Truxton motel and cafe dies
Category: Motels
A tour of the Wigwam Motel’s lobby
Kumar Patel, operator of the Wigwam Motel in Rialto, Calif., shows the souvenirs, memorabilia, and artifacts that are displayed in the lobby of his historic Route 66 motel: https://youtu.be/GwEhy19cXkQ The old photos of the wigwams when they were being built in the late 1940s are especially fascinating.
The Boots Motel now
Here's a recent video about the Boots Motel in Carthage, Mo., after it reopened to overnight travelers following a decade-long hiatus: https://youtu.be/JMRB5gD2IvI Stevo Svoboda has a bunch of other Route 66-related videos at his YouTube channel. On a related note, the Boots Motel has started a fundraising drive to remove its gabled roof and restore … Continue reading The Boots Motel now
De Anza project suddenly looks more doubtful
A developer who is seeking to revitalize the long-closed De Anza Motor Lodge in Albuquerque has delayed his scheduled groundbreaking until at least August until a financing snag can be worked out, reported the New Mexico Business Weekly. Developer Rob Dickson says the chances of a groundbreaking next month are 50/50. The newspaper said: The … Continue reading De Anza project suddenly looks more doubtful
TV ad denigrates Wigwam motels
A new television commercial by the Microtel motel chain conveys an unflattering light on the three surviving Frank Redford-designed wigwam-style motels, including two on Route 66, says at least one of their owners. The manager of the Wigwam Motel in Rialto, Calif., is considering a defamation suit or other legal action against the chain, and … Continue reading TV ad denigrates Wigwam motels
Bel-Aire Motel ruled out for Springfield Route 66 museum
The historic Bel-Aire Motel in Springfield, Ill., has been quietly withdrawn as a possible site for a Route 66 visitors center and museum, reported The State Journal-Register. A group of tourism, city and planning officials has been meeting informally about the idea in recent weeks, including an analysis by the Springfield-Sangamon County Regional Planning Commission … Continue reading Bel-Aire Motel ruled out for Springfield Route 66 museum
The newest Mother Road correspondent
Motel 6 has announced the winners of its Open Road Correspondents contest. Meet Dan Bakst of Temple Terrance, Fla., who will travel Route 66 in the coming weeks: https://youtu.be/iVslk3hdAWw According to the motel chain, Bakst and the other two correspondents will travel "green" in environmentally friendly vehicles and digital map applications to help conserve fuel. The … Continue reading The newest Mother Road correspondent
One killed when storm strikes Cuba, Mo.
A woman was killed by flying debris when a storm, possibly a tornado, struck the Route 66 town of Cuba, Mo., on Saturday evening. According to KTVI-TV in St. Louis, the fatality was Kayla Martin, 28, who was sitting in her car at the Alps grocery. Crawford County Coroner Paul Hutson said debris shattered Martin’s … Continue reading One killed when storm strikes Cuba, Mo.
Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program announces 10 grants
The Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program announced 10 cost-share grants totaling more than $103,000 to Route 66 businesses, according to a news release today from the program. Many of the grants went to renovating or improving historic properties along the Mother Road. The awardees are: Hualapai Tribal Route 66 Interpretive Project, Peach Springs, Ariz. ($10,000 grant, $10,000 … Continue reading Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program announces 10 grants
Part of El Garces project to move forward
After more than two years of inactivity, at least part of the project to restore the historic El Garces Hotel in Needles, Calif., finally will commence again, reported a recent story in the Needles Desert Star. The holdup in the project was getting a ruling on whether a joint development agreement to allow for a transfer of … Continue reading Part of El Garces project to move forward