A few weeks ago, the owners of El Trovatore Motel along Route 66 in Kingman, Ariz., announced they were doing an extensive renovation of the Route 66 landmark. This week, the motel started work on the enormous sign tower. Co-owner Sam Frisher wrote in an email Thursday: Today we are starting by taking down the … Continue reading Work on El Trovatore sign tower begins
Category: Motels
Severe storms rake Lebanon, Rolla in Missouri
The storm systems that roared across the Midwest late Tuesday and early Wednesday -- including one that caused fatalities in Harrisburg, Ill. -- affected the Route 66 towns of Lebanon and Rolla in mid-Missouri. Ramona Lehman, longtime co-owner of the Munger Moss Motel in Lebanon, said in a phone interview that no damage occurred at … Continue reading Severe storms rake Lebanon, Rolla in Missouri
New owners pledge to improve Highlander Motel
The historic Highlander Motel in Williams, Ariz., has been acquired by a Belgian couple, and they vow to restore and improve the Route 66 motel. The Highlander, built in 1950, was purchased in March 2011 by the husband-and-wife team Alan Aernoudt and Sandra Driesse of Belgium. Because of a long process in getting visas, the couple did … Continue reading New owners pledge to improve Highlander Motel
Queen of the Southwest
KBAQ radio in Phoenix has been broadcasting a series titled "Hearing the Century: Voices of Arizona's Arts Past and Present" during the state's centennial. A recent broadcast focused on early 20th-century architect Mary Colter, widely recognized as one of the greatest of the Southwest. A longtime architect and designer for the Fred Harvey Company, Colter's … Continue reading Queen of the Southwest
Blue Swallow Motel video
I'm not sure whether this is supposed to be some sort of advertisement for the Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, N.M. It's effective, regardless. https://youtu.be/RAHOQjllaio The video was created by Petroglyph Pictures, which proclaims to be "capturing America's stories." Petroglyph also produced this video about the Walnut Street Inn, a bed-and-breakfast just south of Route … Continue reading Blue Swallow Motel video
More on the Boots Motel’s reopening
The Carthage Press today posted more information about the reopening of the historic Boots Motel in Carthage, Mo., scheduled for May 8. The opening date was announced a few days ago. A few factoids from the article: --- New owners Pricilla Bledsaw and Deborah Harvey had planned to use the back building of the historic Route … Continue reading More on the Boots Motel’s reopening
A small fact about Whitney Houston’s death
I sorta hate to bring this up, since it's a trivial fact in light of a tragedy. But the hotel where singing superstar Whitney Houston died on Saturday -- the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. -- sits next to Route 66. A reader alerted me to this today. The hotel lists its address as 9876 … Continue reading A small fact about Whitney Houston’s death
Survivor of Joplin hotel collapse dies
Alfred Summers, the lone survivor of a collapse in 1978 of a large motel along Route 66 in Joplin, Mo., died Friday at age 64, according to the Joplin Globe. Summers, part of demolition crew, was trapped in the rubble for more than three days before he was extricated. Two co-workers died in the unexpected … Continue reading Survivor of Joplin hotel collapse dies
Boots Motel set to reopen May 8
The historic Boots Motel, a Route 66 landmark in Carthage, Mo., that was endangered for several years, will reopen for business starting May 8, according to KODE-TV in nearby Joplin. According to the station, the motel will price its rooms for $2.50 for opening night. After that, rooms will be $66 a night. Those interested … Continue reading Boots Motel set to reopen May 8
The Motels of Route 66 project will spawn a book and film
Simon Cantlon, an Emmy-nominated producer of digital media for the entertainment industry, has launched The Motels of Route 66 project that will spawn a documentary film and a book. Cantlon created this video that explains his project: https://youtu.be/YoezV5IWF90 According to his website: The Motels of Route 66 project will capture the spirit of these motels, … Continue reading The Motels of Route 66 project will spawn a book and film