President Donald Trump on Wednesday issued an executive order to review the designation of about two dozen national monuments since 1996, including the new Mojave Trails National Monument along Route 66 in Southern California. However, the order may not be as grave as environmentalists and Route 66ers fear. The president said he wanted to overturn … Continue reading Trump’s order to review national monuments ultimately may not mean much
Category: Preservation
Streetcar Diner also was target of Riviera Roadhouse fire
When a suspicious fire in 2010 burned down the historic Riviera Roadhouse restaurant in Gardner, Illinois, the arsonist also unsuccessfully targeted the nearby Streetcar Diner that night. That little-known fact was revealed in more than 200 pages of documents and dozens of photographs obtained through an open-records request for Illinois Fire Marshal's Office reports from the … Continue reading Streetcar Diner also was target of Riviera Roadhouse fire
Dell Rhea’s Chicken Basket neon sign comes down — temporarily
The famous and historic neon sign for Dell Rhea's Chicken Basket in Willowbrook, Illinois, recently was taken down. But don't panic -- it will be gone only a few weeks so it can be fixed and renovated so it looks new again. WBBM-TV reports that owner Patrick Rhea said he didn't look forward to his … Continue reading Dell Rhea’s Chicken Basket neon sign comes down — temporarily
Old Station in Williamsville has a new owner
The Old Station on old Route 66 in Williamsville, Illinois, changed hands a few months ago, and the new caretaker plans to keep much of the building's old look. Keith A. Sculle wrote in The 66 News, published by the Illinois Route 66 Association, that Jason L. Hayward bought The Old Station at 117 N. … Continue reading Old Station in Williamsville has a new owner
Route 66 listed among Most Endangered Historic Places in Illinois
Landmarks Illinois on Thursday listed Route 66 as one of the Most Endangered Historic Places in Illinois in the group's annual list and advocated a National Historic Trail designation for the highway. The group stated: The purpose of the list is to focus attention on sites threatened by deterioration, lack of maintenance, insufficient funds, or … Continue reading Route 66 listed among Most Endangered Historic Places in Illinois
Masonic Lodge in Bristow added to National Historic Register
The nearly century-old Creek Masonic Lodge No. 226 building along Route 66 in Bristow, Oklahoma, was named to the National Register of Historic Places. The designation became effective March 20, and was revealed a weekly email Friday from the National Park Service. The Creek Masonic Lodge No. 226 sits at 417 N. Main St. (aka … Continue reading Masonic Lodge in Bristow added to National Historic Register
El Vado Motel project begins; may be finished by Aug. 1
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
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