The City of Albuquerque is seeking new redevelopment proposals for the historic De Anza Motor Lodge on Route 66 after the previous one was terminated, according to the Albuquerque Journal. The city bought the property for $891,000 in 2003. A redevelopment plan in 2006 for the property was ended by mutual agreement due to "a … Continue reading New redevelopment plans sought for De Anza
Category: Motels
‘I have a dream …’
(This was originally posted four years ago. It's appropriate to repost it for the holiday.) This is the full version of Martin Luther King Jr.'s historic "I Have a Dream" speech in 1963. https://vimeo.com/14517748 So what does King have to do with Route 66? Well, there's this passage: There are those who are asking the … Continue reading ‘I have a dream …’
Christmas Eve at the Wagon Wheel Motel
I finally had the chance to stay overnight at the Wagon Wheel Motel in Cuba, Mo., and am glad I did. This historic Route 66 motel has been transformed from a diamond in the rough into a gleaming jewel, thanks to the ongoing renovation efforts by new owner Connie Echols. I noted the Wagon Wheel … Continue reading Christmas Eve at the Wagon Wheel Motel
Vega Motel shows signs of new life
The Vega Motel boasts a new owner who's converted part of the historic Route 66 motel in Vega, Texas, into a business center, and wants to reopen part of the property for overnight guests again. Darren Elliott, pastor of Christ's Community Fellowship church in Vega, bought the property during a tax auction in June, remodeled a … Continue reading Vega Motel shows signs of new life
Triangle Motel named to National Register
The Triangle Motel in Amarillo, Texas, was added to the National Register of Historic Places effective Dec. 7, according to an e-mail today from the National Park Service. The State Board of Review unanimously voted in late September to recommend the Route 66 motel to the National Register, so the national listing was deemed all … Continue reading Triangle Motel named to National Register
Mayor of Springfield, Ill., found dead
Tim Davlin, 53, the mayor of Springfield, Ill., since 2003, was found dead at his home Tuesday morning of a gunshot wound, according to the Springfield State Journal-Register. The newspaper reported that the wound was self-inflicted. Police remained tight-lipped throughout the day, and would not say whether it was a suicide or accident. An autopsy … Continue reading Mayor of Springfield, Ill., found dead
Stagecoach stop
I've been hearing good things in the past year or so about the new owners of the Stagecoach Motel on the east end of Seligman, Ariz., near the historic alignment of Route 66. In addition to the motel, it contains a pizza place. But this video shows more charm and detail than any advertising can … Continue reading Stagecoach stop
Munger Moss Motel sign refurbished
Here's what the newly reconditioned neon sign for the Munger Moss Motel in Lebanon, Mo., looks like now, after a relighting ceremony on Saturday night. The elaborate sign never actually went dark. But it was showing its age, as this photo from last year displays. Some of the neon tubes or bulbs had broken, shorted, … Continue reading Munger Moss Motel sign refurbished
Another thriller is filmed at Roy’s
Roy's, the venerable old motel and cafe in the middle of the Mojave Desert in Amboy, Calif., has been used as a setting for many horror and thriller movies. The latest is "Beneath the Dark," directed by Chad Freehan and starring Jamie-Lynn Sigler and Josh Stewart. The film is receiving limited release this weekend. Here's … Continue reading Another thriller is filmed at Roy’s
The ghost of the Painted Desert Inn
I didn't know this about the historic Painted Desert Inn, located in the Petrified Forest National Park. Apparently I have a new contender for the top ghost sites on Route 66 that I posted yesterday. According to National Parks Traveler: Almost 60 years ago, during the evening of April 9, 1953, the Painted Desert Inn … Continue reading The ghost of the Painted Desert Inn