The historic Hotel Will Rogers in Claremore, Oklahoma, finished a seven-month, $2.4 million renovation and is rechristened Will Rogers Lofts. Also known as the Will Rogers Hotel, it long was known for its radium baths; the naturally occurring water was believed to hold health benefits. According to KOTV in Tulsa: During the renovations, the builders were able to preserve some … Continue reading Hotel Will Rogers undergoes renovations
Category: Preservation
Monrovia gas station designated as historic landmark
The city council of Monrovia, California, this week designated a former gas station along an early alignment of Route 66 as a historic landmark. The city's Historic Preservation Commission reviewed the property at 805 S. Shamrock Ave. (map here) and recommended the designation. The report about the property is here (PDF file), but here are some takeaways about it: --- It's one … Continue reading Monrovia gas station designated as historic landmark
Unpopular marquee returning to Rialto Square Theatre
An additional marquee for the Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet, Illinois, that was nixed because of its unpopularity is returning -- this time, to the back of the historic building. The theater's principals still are raising funds for the classic marquee. But they think the red-headed stepchild of the other marquee still can prove useful. The Herald-News reported: … Continue reading Unpopular marquee returning to Rialto Square Theatre
Santa Rosa Route 66 museum closer to reality
Santa Rosa, New Mexico, and Classical Gas Museum owner Johnnie Meier have edged closer to an agreement to set up a Route 66 museum in the city's Ilfeld Warehouse. Last week's print edition of the The Communicator, based in Santa Rosa, reported the city and Meier were in on-and-off talks for almost a decade amid funding issues and other sticking … Continue reading Santa Rosa Route 66 museum closer to reality
Totem Pole festival will help mark its restoration
The Totem Pole BBQ and Music Fest on Saturday at Ed Galloway's Totem Pole Park near Foyil, Oklahoma, will help mark the recent completion of the restoration of the park's large totem pole. The repainting of the complex's 90-foot-tall totem pole by artists Margo Hoover and Erin Turner began last summer, and they finished all but the … Continue reading Totem Pole festival will help mark its restoration
Route 66 featured on “PBS NewsHour”
The effort to preserve Route 66's historic landmarks is the focus of this seven-minute segment on "PBS NewsHour." It's a pretty good segment, but a few viewers already noted the old film footage of motorists traveling into Nevada and Utah was used in error -- Route 66 never went into those states. A podcast for … Continue reading Route 66 featured on “PBS NewsHour”
Giant Vess Soda bottle in St. Louis being restored
Work crews are busy restoring the giant Vess Soda bottle near Route 66 in St. Louis to mark the company's 100th anniversary. According to the St. Louis Post Dispatch: The 34-foot tall, steel bottle will get a new paint job. On Friday morning, workers removed piles of trash from the base of the bottle and … Continue reading Giant Vess Soda bottle in St. Louis being restored
Jensen’s Point near Pacific reopens
The historic Jensen's Point that overlooks Route 66 near Pacific, Missouri, reopened last weekend, almost 25 years after it had been closed to the public. According to a blog post for the Washington Missourian: The landmark is now a Pacific city park and will be preserved for future generations to enjoy. There is a paved parking … Continue reading Jensen’s Point near Pacific reopens
Meadow Gold sign in Tulsa soon will get clocks
The city of Tulsa long had promised the clocks that once sat on top of the historic Meadow Gold neon sign would be replaced "when funding becomes available." Apparently the money is in the bank. The Tulsa World reports bids to replace the clocks will come due this week. The clocks stood at the very … Continue reading Meadow Gold sign in Tulsa soon will get clocks
Galena’s Bordello becomes an antiques store
Galena's Bordello in Galena, Kansas, recently was purchased by an English couple and has been converted into an antiques store. KSN-TV reports David and Vicky Horbury have changed the name to Bordello Antiques: They sell all antiques that are imported from their home country. They say they fell in love with the people and Route … Continue reading Galena’s Bordello becomes an antiques store