Almost 12 years after the Route 66 landmark closed, developers began construction on the historic El Vado Motel and hope to reopen it as a boutique motel by late summer. KOB-TV in Albuquerque reported that construction began last week. Ponderosa Brewing is expected to open a tap room on the property next to 21 small … Continue reading El Vado Motel project begins; may be finished by Aug. 1
Category: Preservation
Meteor City Trading Post may have a savior
A couple from Indiana on Monday officially acquired the long-closed and vandalized Meteor City Trading Post west of Winslow, Arizona, and plan to restore and reopen the Route 66 landmark. Meteor City closed in 2012 and soon became ransacked. It looked so bad in the last few years, even the most optimistic Route 66 enthusiasts … Continue reading Meteor City Trading Post may have a savior
Mitchell Caverns will reopen later this year
Mitchell Caverns, a Route 66 attraction in California's Mojave Desert until state budget cuts forced its closing six years ago, is slated to reopen in May or June. A spokesman for the California parks system told The Press-Enterprise it doesn't have a firm date for reopening because "we still have some work to do" in … Continue reading Mitchell Caverns will reopen later this year
New fundraiser launched for The Mill in Lincoln
The Mill restaurant in Lincoln, Illinois, will reopen as a local museum April 29, but organizers for the Route 66 landmark seek to raise money for final restoration expenses before the big event. This week, a Crowdrise fundraiser was launched by the Route 66 Heritage Foundation of Logan County. Here's what it says: The Mill … Continue reading New fundraiser launched for The Mill in Lincoln
66 Drive-In in Carthage changes owners
The 66 Drive-In theater in Carthage, Missouri, is changing owners for the first time in about 30 years. Fortunately, the new proprietors are familiar with how the place is run. The Carthage Press reports the the longtime owners of the Route 66 landmark, Mark and Dixie Goodman, have sold it to former local sheriff's deputy … Continue reading 66 Drive-In in Carthage changes owners
Westport Lodge in Joplin to hold grand reopening as Enlight Inn on Monday
The Westport Lodge motel, built in 1947 along Route 66 in Joplin, Missouri, will hold its grand reopening Monday as an Enlight Inn wellness center, motel and cafe. Joplin Globe business writer Wally Kennedy reports the motel at the corner of North Main Street and Fountain Road is the last surviving motor court in Joplin. It … Continue reading Westport Lodge in Joplin to hold grand reopening as Enlight Inn on Monday
Motel Safari in Tucumcari is up for sale
The owners of the historic and nicely restored Motel Safari in Tucumcari, New Mexico, announced they have put the Route 66 property up for sale. Co-owner Richard Talley put the word out with a message on the Route 66 World website Wednesday: “As we open for the 2017 season and approach our 10th year since … Continue reading Motel Safari in Tucumcari is up for sale
Missouri to build new bridge next to Gasconade River bridge
The Missouri Department of Transportation announced Thursday it will build a new bridge next to the closed Gasconade River Bridge near Hazelgreen and keep the historic bridge standing for now. In the meantime, local preservationists will have to find an entity to take over ownership of the old bridge, or it eventually may be removed. … Continue reading Missouri to build new bridge next to Gasconade River bridge
The Mill grand opening set for April 29
The Mill in Lincoln, Illinois, will reopen as a museum during a grand opening April 29 after the former Route 66 restaurant finished renovations to make its restrooms accessible to the handicapped. Thanks to prompting from Route 66 Heritage Foundation of Logan County board secretary Geoff Ladd, the city likely will help organize several events … Continue reading The Mill grand opening set for April 29
Albuquerque relights El Vado Motel sign to mark redevelopment project
The city of Albuquerque earlier this month held a ceremonial relighting of El Vado Motel's neon sign to mark the beginning of a redevelopment project there that will preserve the historic Route 66 motel. Palindrome Communities and FDHC are redeveloping El Vado Motel and the adjacent Casa Grande site for $18 million, including about $3.5 … Continue reading Albuquerque relights El Vado Motel sign to mark redevelopment project