Here's a short-but-sweet new video of the great neon sign at the Supai Motel, along Route 66 in Seligman, Ariz. https://youtu.be/V7BistQ0xv4 The video was created by Andrew Wood, a professor at San Jose State University and a longtime roadie. He owns the Motel Americana website, and published "City Ubiquitous," in which Route 66 played a … Continue reading Shimmering in the night
Category: Motels
A tour of John’s Modern Cabins
This well-produced video gives you a tour and a history of the abandoned and fast-decaying John's Modern Cabins, located near Arlington, Mo., off old Route 66. https://youtu.be/wQBIbvEOdrM The video was produced by Texas-based Synergy Media. Most of the historical information about John's Modern Cabins was gathered by Emily and me a decade ago. The story … Continue reading A tour of John’s Modern Cabins
Christmas Eve at the Wagon Wheel Motel
One year ago today, I woke up to this at the lovingly restored Wagon Wheel Motel in Cuba, Mo. https://youtu.be/1ukiW5B-whE Music is “Song of Assisi,” by Marc Gunn.
Continuing the tradition
This nativity set was erected each Christmas season for at least 50 years by Pauline Armstrong, longtime co-owner of the Wagon Wheel Motel in Cuba, Mo. Connie Echols, the new owner of the historic Route 66 motel, has continued the tradition: If you have other wintry scenes of Christmas-related photos along Route 66, email them to … Continue reading Continuing the tradition
El Trovatore resurrected as a motel
El Trovatore Motel in Kingman, Ariz., recently reopened to overnight travelers after being used as apartments for the past few years. The owner says he plans to restore the historic Route 66 motel in the coming months, including its distinctive neon signs. El Trovatore owner Sam Frisher, born in Israel but has lived in the … Continue reading El Trovatore resurrected as a motel
Springfield continues to negotiate for Bel-Aire Motel
The City of Springfield, Ill., is continuing negotiations with the owners of the historic Bel-Aire Motel, with the hope to eventually convert it into a Route 66 museum and visitors center or some other use, reported the State Journal-Register. The owners are Gopal and Nimal Motwani, based in Florida. The motel, on the Sixth Street alignment … Continue reading Springfield continues to negotiate for Bel-Aire Motel
St. Nick visits Tucumcari
Kevin and Nancy Mueller, co-owners of the Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, N.M., sent these photos of an early visit by Santa Claus at the historic Route 66 motel and other businesses. They wrote in an email: Thought you should know that Old Saint Nick was spotted along Route 66 in Tucumcari last night! He … Continue reading St. Nick visits Tucumcari
Kingman rejects railroad quiet zone
The City Council of Kingman, Ariz., voted down a proposal that would eventually create a quiet zone to bar trains from sounding their horns in the downtown area, reported the Kingman Daily Miner on Thursday. The newspaper said: Council received a study on the proposed quiet zone in October. According to the study, it would … Continue reading Kingman rejects railroad quiet zone
Time to groom some heirs
Esley Hamilton, historian for St. Louis County and a longtime preservation advocate, likely will be forced to retire soon because of budget cuts to the county's parks department, according to a story Wednesday in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Hamilton has been a tireless champion for historic structures in St. Louis, including at least one notable … Continue reading Time to groom some heirs
Christmas windows in Tucumcari
On Saturday night, the 2011 Christmas Village Display will debut at 808 E. Route 66 Blvd. in Tucumcari, N.M. The display, across the street from the historic Blue Swallow Motel, will feature Lionel toy trains and Rose Kaye's extensive collection of ceramic lighted buildings. The display was set up inside vacant spaces of the building; … Continue reading Christmas windows in Tucumcari