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
Category: Motels
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
El Rey Inn marks 75th year
The historic El Rey Inn in Santa Fe, N.M., is marking its 75th year along Cerrillos Road (aka Route 66), according to an article in the Albuquerque Journal. Terrell White has owned El Rey since 1973. Amazingly, it's reportedly not known who actually built the original motel structure: The records don’t show who built the original … Continue reading El Rey Inn marks 75th year
A legend that’s actually true
The historic Boots Motel in Carthage, Mo., reputedly boasted film star Clark Gable as an overnight guest at least once during his periodic cross-country trips. It seemed this sighting always came secondhand, and I always wondered whether such a thing really happened or whether it was urban legend. But this recent article in the Carthage Press … Continue reading A legend that’s actually true
Campbell Hotel promotional video
This is a new promotional video about the historic Campbell Hotel along Route 66 in Tulsa. It was expertly shot and edited by Brettley Ruggles. https://vimeo.com/32071900 Here's a report I wrote about the Campbell Hotel a few weeks ago. It's one of the best hotels on Route 66 right now.
Boots Motel volunteer day set to mark Route 66’s birthday
NOTE: The date of the work day has been changed from Friday, Nov. 11, to Saturday, Nov. 12, in an effort to gain more participation. The new owners of the Boots Motel in Carthage, Mo., have set Saturday, Nov. 12, as a volunteer day to help clean and read the Route 66 landmark for winter. … Continue reading Boots Motel volunteer day set to mark Route 66’s birthday