The historic University Lodge in Albuquerque eventually will be transformed into a boutique hotel, including retail spaces and a rooftop brewery and restaurant. According to a story in Albuquerque Business First, the University Lodge at 3711 Central Ave. (aka Route 66) will be rebranded as a "chic" and "retro" Avenue Motel, Sharamin Dharas told the newspaper. … Continue reading University Lodge in Albuquerque plans big transformation
Category: Preservation
Cucamonga Service Station added to National Register
The century-old Cucamonga Service Station along Route 66 in Rancho Cucamonga, California, recently was designated to the National Register of Historic Places. The listing to the National Register was effective July 23, according to an email Friday from the National Park Service. The former gas station at 9670 Foothill Blvd. (aka Route 66) now serves … Continue reading Cucamonga Service Station added to National Register
Governor signs Illinois Route 66 Centennial Commission bill
Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner on Tuesday signed and enacted a bill that creates a state Route 66 Centennial Commission. According to a news release, the signing took place Tuesday in Plainfield. The commission is tasked with developing plans for the 100th anniversary of Route 66 in 2026. The Illinois Route 66 Centennial Commission will consist … Continue reading Governor signs Illinois Route 66 Centennial Commission bill
El Pueblo Motel in Flagstaff may become Code Talkers museum
The historic El Pueblo Motel in Flagstaff, Arizona, may become a museum to Navajo Indians who served as Code Talkers during World War II. A feature story in the Arizona Daily Sun newspaper about Route 66 revealed that bid. The motel at 3120 E. Historic Route 66 was built in 1937, making it the oldest … Continue reading El Pueblo Motel in Flagstaff may become Code Talkers museum
Affeldt acquires historic saloon near Santa Fe
Allan Affeldt, the savior of La Posada hotel in Winslow, Arizona, who is restoring the Castaneda Hotel in Las Vegas, New Mexico, recently acquired another historic property south of Santa Fe, New Mexico. According to the Santa Fe New Mexican, Affeldt now owns the Legal Tender restaurant and saloon in the village of Lamy, New … Continue reading Affeldt acquires historic saloon near Santa Fe
Route 66 Road Ahead details progress so far, new projects ahead
The Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership recently released a second-quarter report on its accomplishments and future projects, including a just-announced partnership with the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association. Much of the Route 66 Road Ahead's energies have concentrated on the Route 66 Centennial Commission Act and the Route 66 National Historic Trail Designation Act, … Continue reading Route 66 Road Ahead details progress so far, new projects ahead
Art’s Motel sign in Farmersville taken down
The neon sign for the apparently closed Art's Motel in Farmersville, Illinois, recently was dismantled but preserved by a sign company and a historic-themed bar, both in nearby Springfield. For now, Art's Motel & Restaurant faces an uncertain future. The listed phone numbers for the motel were disconnected. A Yelp listing for the motel states … Continue reading Art’s Motel sign in Farmersville taken down
Scenes from El Vado Motel’s grand reopening
Hundreds of people flocked to the grand reopening Friday night of the historic El Vado Motel in Albuquerque after a 13-year hiatus. KOB-TV filed this 2 1/2-minute report from the scene: A few facts about El Vado Motel and its $18 million redevelopment: The complex exists as a combination boutique motel, events center and a … Continue reading Scenes from El Vado Motel’s grand reopening
Bill won’t provide quick fix for Route 66 bridges in Mojave Desert
Don't expect a quick fix to Route 66's dilapidated bridges in the Mojave Desert -- or anyplace else -- if Congress and the president enact the Route 66 centennial bill this year. The Route 66 Centennial Commission Act, passed unanimously by voice vote earlier this week, contains a provision that requests the Secretary of Transportation to … Continue reading Bill won’t provide quick fix for Route 66 bridges in Mojave Desert
Sign removed for long-closed Bel Air Drive-In theater in Mitchell
Workers on Thursday removed the decaying sign for the long-closed Bel Air Drive-In theater in Mitchell, Illinois. Local resident Charles Alexander, who snapped a few photos of the sign being taken down and posted them on Facebook, said the sign is making way for a new truck stop going into the area. Alexander also stated … Continue reading Sign removed for long-closed Bel Air Drive-In theater in Mitchell