The Gallup (N.M.) Independent has a interview with 92-year-old Mary T. Montoya, who became a Harvey Girl at one of Gallup's Harvey Houses beginning in the 1930s. Here's the interesting part: The nationwide decline of rail travel led to the decline of the Harvey Houses, including Gallup’s. According to his recently published book “Fred Harvey … Continue reading Interview with a Harvey Girl
Category: People
Co-founder of Boots Motel dies
Ilda Boots, co-founder of the Boots Motel on historic Route 66 in Carthage, Mo., died Friday at age 102 at a nursing home in Glenpool, Okla., reports the Carthage Press. The Bootses also founded the Boots Drive-In restaurant across the road, which is defunct. According to the newspaper, after talking to Ilda's son Bob: She … Continue reading Co-founder of Boots Motel dies
Swing set
I guess this proves that anything can be named after Route 66 these days. From the Amarillo Globe-News: About two dozen protesters organized by Repent Amarillo spent New Year's Eve carrying signs, singing and praying outside a business in downtown Amarillo that they claim is a swinger's club. A party organizer with the Route 66 … Continue reading Swing set
Last call coming at the Riviera
Chicago Sun-Times columnist and longtime roadie Dave Hoekstra paid a visit to The Riviera restaurant and roadhouse bar on Route 66 in Gardner, Ill., before it closes after New Year's Day. Longtime owners Bob and Peggy Kraft, both in their 80s, want to retire and haven't yet found a buyer for the property. Go read … Continue reading Last call coming at the Riviera
Craft sales help Indian families
If you're itching to buy American Indian jewelry or crafts and won't be able to soon travel Route 66 to the desert Southwest to buy them, you ought to look at getting them by mail order from the Southwest Indian Foundation. This article by the Associated Press lays out the reasons why: When Margie Lee's … Continue reading Craft sales help Indian families
White House Christmas ornament features Route 66
Faith Wassell, a sophomore at a high school in Kingman, Ariz., designed and painted a Route 66-themed ornament that now hangs in the National Christmas Tree at the White House in Washington, D.C., reports the Kingman Daily Miner. The tree was presented Nov. 30, and the lighting ceremony, presided over by President Bush and the … Continue reading White House Christmas ornament features Route 66
End of an era approaches
Thanks to some regular readers, we were the first to report the impending closure of the Riviera Road House in Gardner, Ill. Today, the Joliet Herald News has some more details about the Riviera's colorful history and why co-owners Bob and Peggy Kraft are shutting it down after Jan. 2.
A closer look at UNM’s Architecture School
Architecture Week has a detailed examination of the Architecture School of the University of New Mexico, designed by the famed Antoine Predock. The building faces Central Avenue, aka Route 66, and Predock has said in other interviews that he is inspired by the Mother Road and the Southwest in general. He told the Dallas Morning … Continue reading A closer look at UNM’s Architecture School
Route 66 supporter honored by Wilmington chamber
The Wilmington (Ill.) Chamber of Commerce named Scott Cameron, owner of the Camz of Wilmington retro store, its Business Person of the Year, reports the Joliet Herald News. Here's the lowdown: Chamber President Eric Fisher said Cameron was selected for the honor because of his "commitment to bringing together the downtown merchants." Cameron was also … Continue reading Route 66 supporter honored by Wilmington chamber
Riviera set to close after New Year’s Day
A Route 66 icon, The Riviera Restaurant, in Gardner, Ill., is set to close after many years. Here's an e-mail from Route 66 advocate Lenore Weiss: The health and ages of Bob & Peggy Kraft, our most gracious host and hostess of the Riviera for over 36 years, are forcing them to close the doors. Unfortunately … Continue reading Riviera set to close after New Year’s Day