Zeno's Motel and Steakhouse, a Route 66 fixture in Rolla, Mo., since 1956, will close its doors after its final day of business on Oct. 21, according to a longtime employee. Joyce Topolski, who says she's worked at Zeno's for 26 years, said in an email that "with competition and the economy, we can't go … Continue reading Zeno’s Motel and Steakhouse soon will close
Category: Motels
Open house at the Boots Motel, pre-renovation
When we went Sunday afternoon to the open house at the Boots Motel in Carthage, Mo., tour guide Ron Hart of the Route 66 Chamber of Commerce said about 500 people had already visited the historic Route 66 business over the weekend -- a number that astounded him and the motel's new owners. The open house … Continue reading Open house at the Boots Motel, pre-renovation
A tour of the Boots Motel
This excellent video by blogger Ace Jackalope was shot during this weekend's open house of the Boots Motel in Carthage, Mo. https://youtu.be/dq7_uT-NIEE Ron Hart of the Route 66 Chamber of Commerce is the one showing Ace around one of the motel's rooms -- and the tunnel system underneath. Sisters Priscilla Bledsaw and Debye Harvey bought the … Continue reading A tour of the Boots Motel
Three Route 66 sites receive Tulsa Preservation awards
Three sites on Route 66 in Tulsa were among the 13 honored today by the Tulsa Preservation Commission's Outreach Committee, according to an article in the Tulsa World. The annual awards are given to projects that "demonstrate good stewardship of a historic resource, increase awareness and access to a historic resource, or save a historic … Continue reading Three Route 66 sites receive Tulsa Preservation awards
Notes from the road
I've got a few short items that I need to pass along. One is that the 100th Meridian Museum in Erick, Okla., received a new paint job a few weeks ago. The museum can be seen pre-face-lift here. Locals told us it was repainted by Jimmy Webb -- a local painter, not the famous songwriter who … Continue reading Notes from the road
Hot summer road trip
Photographer Danny Griffin recently completed a Route 66 trip -- starting in Tucumcari, N.M., and going west -- for a shoot with model Jessica Vaughn. You'll see Tucumcari's Blue Swallow Motel and a few other remote locations in Arizona. And don't worry -- this particular video version with Vaugn is safe for work. https://youtu.be/FjWb5nqJabw Music … Continue reading Hot summer road trip
Abandoned church may be converted into senior housing
The long-abandoned St. Mary Carmelite Catholic Church in downtown Joliet, Ill., may be converted into senior-citizen housing instead of being demolished, reported the Chicago Tribune. Chicago-based Celadon Holdings has plans to renovate the church and develop a 60-unit residential facility with the top units enjoying the gothic ceiling of the church, said Scott Henry, a Celadon principal. [...] Plans … Continue reading Abandoned church may be converted into senior housing
Items displayed from old Route 66 motel
At the main office of the Holiday Inn Express in Litchfield, Ill., is a display of memorabilia from the long-gone 66 Motel Court and Route 66 in general, reports The Journal-News of Hillsboro, Ill. Sisters and hotel owners Jane Martin and Nancy Hyam, created the wall as a tribute to their parents, Lorman and Dorothy … Continue reading Items displayed from old Route 66 motel
Sisters take possession of Boots Motel
Two sisters officially took over ownership on Wednesday of the Boots Motel in Carthage, Mo., pledging to reopen at least part of the 1939 property by spring. Debye Harvey of Georgia and Priscilla Bledsaw of Illinois had the electricity and water turned back on at the Route 66 property, and will spend the rest of this … Continue reading Sisters take possession of Boots Motel
Financing for Boots Motel purchase is secured
Financing for two individuals to purchase the historic Boots Motel in Carthage, Mo., was approved Monday, and it is hoped the motel will partially reopen by spring, reported Ron Hart at the Route 66 Chamber of Commerce. The BootsMotel.com website posted this message: The Route 66 Chamber of Commerce is happy to announce that two … Continue reading Financing for Boots Motel purchase is secured