The newest site of Mel's Drive-In restaurant opened Tuesday, and it happens to be at the official western terminus of Route 66 in Santa Monica, California. The iconic 1950s-themed restaurant already has locations at Sherman Oaks, Hollywood, West Hollywood and Los Angeles, and countless movies and television shows were shot there. The long-anticipated latest site stands … Continue reading Mel’s Drive-In opens at Route 66 western terminus
Category: Preservation
National Trust places Route 66 on its endangered list
The National Trust for Historic Preservation on Tuesday included Route 66 among its annual 11 Most Endangered Historic Places list and urged Congress to name it as a national historic trail. It was the second time Route 66 made the National Trust's most-endangered list. A smaller part of the Mother Road made the list in … Continue reading National Trust places Route 66 on its endangered list
The Tropics sign relighted for the first time in 15 years
The restored neon sign for the now-defunct The Tropics restaurant in Lincoln, Illinois, was relighted Sunday evening in front of a crowd of hundreds of people. The Lincoln Courier newspaper posted this short video of the countdown to the relighting: Here's what the sign looked like in the daytime, a few hours before the ceremony. … Continue reading The Tropics sign relighted for the first time in 15 years
Ariston Cafe likely will have new owners by mid-July
The historic Ariston Cafe in Litchfield, Illinois, is under contract to have new owners by mid-July after the Route 66 establishment belonged to the same family for more than 90 years. Marty and Kara Steffens, co-owners of the Maverick Steaks & Spirits restaurant in Litchfield, are scheduled to take over the reins of the Ariston by … Continue reading Ariston Cafe likely will have new owners by mid-July
Spivey Building in East St. Louis may be doomed
Residents are running out of patience with the historic but long-abandoned Spivey Building of East St. Louis -- the tallest skyscraper in the metro-east -- and it seems demolition will come sooner than later. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch filed a report last week about failed attempts to rehabilitate the 12-story skyscraper and how bricks and … Continue reading Spivey Building in East St. Louis may be doomed
The Tropics sign returns to Lincoln
Workers from Ace Sign Co. on Friday returned The Tropics sign, now restored, to its original home in Lincoln, Illinois. An official relighting ceremony will occur the evening of June 24. A staffer for The Herald-News took photos of workers reinstalling the sign. A slide show of images are in this YouTube video. https://youtu.be/4iC7-6udNa4 The … Continue reading The Tropics sign returns to Lincoln
Illinois launches Route 66 motorcycle plate program
Illinois motorcycle owners now can join car owners in the Land of Lincoln by registering for an Route 66 license plate. According to a news release from the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway: Bill Kelly, executive director of the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway, observed that "Illinois residents that ride will now be able to … Continue reading Illinois launches Route 66 motorcycle plate program
Tropical attire encouraged for The Tropics sign relighting
Organizers of the relighting of The Tropics neon sign on June 24 in Lincoln, Illinois, are encouraging attendees to wear tropical-style clothing for the event. A news release from the Tropics Campaign Relighting Committee states activities will begin at 7:15 p.m. that day with a pre-event reception at the McDonald's parking lot at 1007 Hickox … Continue reading Tropical attire encouraged for The Tropics sign relighting
New owners intend to revive Vega Motel
The new co-owner of the Vega Motel in Vega, Texas -- who also owns a new AirBnB site along Route 66 in town -- aims to restore and eventually reopen the Route 66 motel that's been closed to overnight travelers for more than 10 years. Vega resident Karen Friemel Fangman, along with her brother Barry … Continue reading New owners intend to revive Vega Motel
Coffee shop in St. Louis uses 70-year-old auto-repair shop
Blueprint Coffee this month is opening a second St. Louis site in a 1940s-era auto-repair shop not far from the Route 66 landmarks Ted Drewes Frozen Custard and Donut Drive-In. Blueprint Coffee opened in 2013 in the Delmar Loop area of west St. Louis. The second place, opening in June, sits at 4206 Watson Road … Continue reading Coffee shop in St. Louis uses 70-year-old auto-repair shop