Repairs to the hail-damaged architectural neon lighting at the Boots Court motel in Carthage, Missouri, will begin by mid-July after Route 66 enthusiasts donated more than $4,100 for the project. Ron Hart of the Route 66 Chamber of Commerce on Friday presented a check for $4,113.41, representing the proceeds of a GoFundMe campaign after a … Continue reading Restoration of Boots Court architectural neon to begin soon
Category: Preservation
Grand Canyon Cafe in Flagstaff reopens
The historic Grand Canyon Cafe in downtown Flagstaff, Arizona, reopened this weekend after a lengthy renovation following an ownership change. Here's a post on Instagram on Friday: A post shared by Alissa Marquess (@alissamarquess) on Jun 30, 2017 at 10:54am PDT Alissa Marquess wrote in the photograph: The Wong Family had this restaurant for over … Continue reading Grand Canyon Cafe in Flagstaff reopens
Restoration begins on The Tropics sign
The fabled neon sign for the now-closed The Tropics restaurant in Lincoln, Illinois, this week was moved to a shop for restoration work for the next six months. The Lincoln Courier reported the sign was moved Tuesday to Ace Sign Co. in nearby Springfield, where the company will undergo restoration work on it through late … Continue reading Restoration begins on The Tropics sign
Route 66 has spawned many “new” places
A reader over the weekend asked me what are some of the "new" businesses or attractions on Route 66 in the past 10 years or so. Naturally, this sort of question sent me down a rabbit hole of research for hours. I set the "new" criteria as the post-"Cars" era -- since the 2006 release … Continue reading Route 66 has spawned many “new” places
‘Blight’ designation may boost Springfield’s Kearney Street
It sounds counter-intuitive, but the city of Springfield, Missouri, is considering declaring Kearney Street blighted so it can improve it in the future. Kearney remains a prominent Route 66 alignment once known as a car-cruising corridor during the 1970s and '80s, until city fathers cracked down on it. Since then, Kearney has declined into a … Continue reading ‘Blight’ designation may boost Springfield’s Kearney Street
De Anza Motor Lodge project takes another step forward
The lengthy quest to rehabilitate and reopen the long-shuttered De Anza Motor Lodge in Albuquerque took another significant step forward last week. The city’s Landmarks and Urban Conservation Commission on Wednesday approved a redevelopment plan for the Route 66 motel that would keep most of its vital historical elements, reported, the Albuquerque Journal. As proposed, … Continue reading De Anza Motor Lodge project takes another step forward
Old Gillett Farm on Elkhart Hill to be auctioned in August
The historic and enormous Old Gillett Farm on top of Elkhart Hill just east of Elkhart, Illinois, will be sold at auction in August. The house isn't on Route 66. But driving down the Mother Road, it's hard to miss Elkhart Hill. It rises 200 feet above the surrounding prairie and reportedly is the tallest hill between … Continue reading Old Gillett Farm on Elkhart Hill to be auctioned in August
Wrinks Market in Lebanon reopens after long hiatus
Thanks to the founder's granddaughter, the historic Wrinks Market in Lebanon, Missouri, reopened Saturday after a years-long hiatus. Katie Hapner and her stepsister, Sarah Carney, reopened the Route 66 landmark, reported the Lebanon Daily Record. The two have tried to put the market back the way it was -- or the way Hapner remembers it. … Continue reading Wrinks Market in Lebanon reopens after long hiatus
Holloway Motel, other West Hollywood sites may become historic resources
The Holloway Motel in West Hollywood, California, is among several properties along Santa Monica Boulevard (aka Route 66) being considered as historic resources by the city. The West Hollywood Preservation Alliance urged additional research or reconsideration of the properties by the city, according a report in WEHOville.com. Preservation consultant Chattel Inc. ruled several sites initially … Continue reading Holloway Motel, other West Hollywood sites may become historic resources
Fundraising goal met to fix Boots Court’s hail-damaged neon
Only five days after it launched, a GoFundMe campaign to repair architectural neon lighting at the Boots Court in Carthage, Missouri, met its goal of $4,000. That was the estimated cost to fix the neon, which was damaged by a severe hailstorm last week, with some stones measuring 2 inches in diameter. As of early Tuesday, … Continue reading Fundraising goal met to fix Boots Court’s hail-damaged neon