The historic rooftop neon sign at Wilder's Steakhouse in downtown Joplin, Missouri, was reinstalled Thursday after being taken down for several weeks for restoration. The official relighting ceremony for the sign will be at dusk Saturday, April 14. Sunset that day is 7:52 p.m., but it may become dark faster if skies are overcast. Here's a … Continue reading Wilder’s neon sign reinstalled; relighting event set for Saturday
Category: Preservation
Route 66 group buys Painted Desert Trading Post
A new group that calls itself the Route 66 Co-op has purchased the long-abandoned ruins of the Painted Desert Trading Post and its accompanying 94 acres in eastern Arizona to preserve it, according to a news release Sunday afternoon. "Roamin'" Rich Dinkela, one of the co-op's members, stated in the release: It was brought to … Continue reading Route 66 group buys Painted Desert Trading Post
Old Joliet prison may reopen to the public by August
Supporters of reopening the 160-year-old Joliet Correctional Center in Joliet, Illinois, as a tourism attraction now are thinking of a grand reopening for August after cleanup efforts at the site accelerated in recent weeks. The Herald-News reported Homer Tree Service was busy last week removing brush inside the prison, which has been closed and neglected … Continue reading Old Joliet prison may reopen to the public by August
Ritz Theatre in Baxter Springs screens first film in 62 years
The Ritz Theatre in downtown Baxter Springs, Kansas, during Easter weekend showed its first movie in more than 60 years with a screening of "Peter Rabbit." According to the Cherokee County News-Advocate: Theater owner Ron Puckett was busily getting everything ready and taking care of last minute issues prior to the Friday afternoon matinee, but … Continue reading Ritz Theatre in Baxter Springs screens first film in 62 years
El Vado Motel inches closer to reopening
The historic El Vado Motel in Albuquerque is moving closer to reopening -- probably sometime in May -- after a lengthy redevelopment on the long-closed Route 66 property. While in Albuquerque earlier this week, we dropped by to check on progress on the property, which is being converted into a boutique motel with food pods, … Continue reading El Vado Motel inches closer to reopening
VIDEOS: De Anza Motor Lodge sign taken down for restoration
Workers on Wednesday took down the neon sign for the De Anza Motor Lodge in Albuquerque to be restored -- one of many steps to rehabilitate the long-closed historic Route 66 property into a boutique motel. Melissa Lea Beasley, president of the New Mexico Route 66 Association, wrote in that group's Facebook page: Today the … Continue reading VIDEOS: De Anza Motor Lodge sign taken down for restoration
Eat-Rite Diner in St. Louis reopens Thursday
The Eat-Rite Diner near downtown St. Louis will reopen Thursday morning during the Cardinals baseball team's home opener, as hoped by the Route 66 restaurant's new owners several months ago. KMOX radio in St. Louis talked Monday to new owners Joel and Shawna Holtman: "Our counter top is in, we've got everything done, we've got … Continue reading Eat-Rite Diner in St. Louis reopens Thursday
Route 66 motels may help ease housing shortage in some areas
Old motels -- including those on Route 66 -- are being eyed as a solution for a growing housing shortage in parts of the United States. An article in Bisnow.com cites The Sundowner Motel and the Luna Lodge -- both on Route 66 in Albuquerque -- as examples of once-seedy properties recently converted by New … Continue reading Route 66 motels may help ease housing shortage in some areas
Oklahoma’s black eye amid upcoming preservation conference
The Tulsa World this week published a preview of the “Are We There Yet? Preservation of Roadside Architecture and Attractions" symposium in Tulsa next month. The April 10-12 event is organized by National Park Service’s National Center for Preservation Technology and Training (NCPTT), Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program, Tulsa Foundation for Architecture, city of Tulsa, Tulsa … Continue reading Oklahoma’s black eye amid upcoming preservation conference
An update on the Route 66 Neon Park in Missouri
An area television station provided an update on a proposed Route 66 Neon Park in St. Robert, Missouri -- including that organizers hope to open at least part of it next spring. Here's the report from KY3 in Springfield, Missouri: Beth Wiles, president of the Pulaski County Route 66 Preservation group, hopes to have three … Continue reading An update on the Route 66 Neon Park in Missouri