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
Category: Preservation
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
La Posada to begin restoration of east grounds, depot next month
La Posada Hotel in Winslow, Arizona, will begin a $2 million first phase of restoration of its east grounds and railroad depot in July. According to a Facebook post a few days ago from hotel owner Allan Affeldt, the project eventually will become the Winslow Arts Museum. More details: The Winslow Art Museum will explore … Continue reading La Posada to begin restoration of east grounds, depot next month
Round Barn to celebrate 25th anniversary of its reopening
The Round Barn in Arcadia, Oklahoma, on Sunday, June 11, will mark the 25th anniversary of the rehabilitation and reopening of the historic structure along Route 66. The event will run from 1 to 4 p.m. that day with live music, a car cruise-in, special guest speakers and the POPS food truck on the premises serving … Continue reading Round Barn to celebrate 25th anniversary of its reopening
Thoughts about the Associated Press story on Route 66
A few days ago, the Associated Press published a story about the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program expiring in 2019 and its possible effect on Route 66 businesses and towns. You can read the story straight from the source here. The good news is the story was distributed to thousands of newspapers, television stations, radio … Continue reading Thoughts about the Associated Press story on Route 66
Redevelopment of De Anza Motor Lodge begins next month
The long-awaited redevelopment project for the closed De Anza Motor Lodge in Albuquerque begins in June, setting up the Route 66 property's reopening as an extended-stay hotel sometime in summer 2018. Construct Southwest, chosen by the city to redevelop the neglected but historic property, will begin to raze three buildings down on the property in June, … Continue reading Redevelopment of De Anza Motor Lodge begins next month