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
Category: Preservation
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
Historic Shamrock Court motel near Sullivan for sale
Route 66 News learns of properties for sale along the Mother Road from time to time. But the latest one is especially notable for its historic nature, distinctive architecture and relatively good condition. The Weiland family, which has owned the Shamrock Court for more than 60 years, has decided to put it up for sale. … Continue reading Historic Shamrock Court motel near Sullivan for sale
Missouri Preservation to honor construction firm for its work in downtown Joplin
This week, Neal Group Construction will be honored by Missouri Preservation for its work in helping preserve dozens of buildings in downtown Joplin. According to the Joplin Globe, the company will receive the McReynolds Award for "significant achievement in the field of historic preservation" at Missouri Preservation's Statewide Preservation Honor Awards on Thursday. Among the buildings Neal … Continue reading Missouri Preservation to honor construction firm for its work in downtown Joplin