The National Trust for Historic Preservation is lobbying to preserve and restore the nearly 50-year-old Painted Desert Community Complex inside the Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona. The complex is the only building designed by acclaimed architect Richard Neutra in the National Park Service system. The building was brought a then-unusual Mid-Century Modern style to the park. … Continue reading National Trust wants Painted Desert facility restored
Category: Preservation
Kickstarter fundraiser launched to restore sign
The new owners of Cindy's Eagle Rock Restaurant in Los Angeles have begun a Kickstarter campaign to preserve the historic diner's vintage sign, reported the Los Angeles Times. Monique King and Paul Rosenbluh bought the restaurant and reopened it in April. And, so far, they seem to be good stewards: They've kept the original booths, … Continue reading Kickstarter fundraiser launched to restore sign
“Route 66: The Road Ahead” report released
The World Monuments Fund this month released its report on the "Route 66: The Road Ahead" roundtable held in November at Anaheim, California, that involved many movers and shakers of the Route 66 community. The 67-page Acrobat document can be read in its entirety here. I commend it to your attention. Much of the report … Continue reading “Route 66: The Road Ahead” report released
Milk Bottle Building will be restored
The historic Milk Bottle Building in Oklahoma City will be restored to close to its original appearance, reported The Oklahoman newspaper. Catherine Montgomery, a preservation architect at Preservation & Design Studio who is helping with the project, told the newspaper the interior will be renovated for a new tenant. After removing a sheet of plywood … Continue reading Milk Bottle Building will be restored
Albuquerque asks for proposals for De Anza Motel
The City of Albuquerque recently requested proposals to redevelop the historic De Anza Motor Lodge after two plans fell flat in recent years. However, one prominent business group is recommending a partial teardown of the motel. A group of Albuquerque business owners put together a list of recommendations of what it would like to see … Continue reading Albuquerque asks for proposals for De Anza Motel
‘Million Dollar Courthouse’ needs $20 million in fixes
Locals probably were startled and even irritated when the construction budget for the Macoupin County Courthouse in Carlinville, Illinois, swelled from $50,000 to $1.3 million by the time it was finished in 1870. That's why the landmark has been called the "Million Dollar Courthouse," for good or ill, ever since. Imagine their reaction when, more … Continue reading ‘Million Dollar Courthouse’ needs $20 million in fixes
A profile of the Wigwam Motel’s Kumar Patel
The Asian American Hotel Owners Association recently posted a feature about Kumar Patel, the operator of the historic Wigwam Motel in San Bernardino, California. Most stories focus on the motel, which was built along Route 66 in 1949 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. But this one focuses more about Patel himself. … Continue reading A profile of the Wigwam Motel’s Kumar Patel
A look at downtown Los Angeles
With the help of a quad-copter, filmmaker Ian Wood produced this video about the landmarks of downtown Los Angeles, which was the western end of Route 66 until the highway was extended to Santa Monica. Downtown Los Angeles from Ian Wood on Vimeo. Wood's description of the video: Above the grit and noise of the … Continue reading A look at downtown Los Angeles
El Rey Inn’s commitment to its employees
Nearly 35 years ago, the owner of the historic El Rey Inn on Route 66 in Santa Fe, New Mexico, instituted a profit-sharing plan for employees. According to CNN Money, owner Terrell White has put $7 million into the plan and paid out $5 million over the years. The hotel has 26 employees, with many of … Continue reading El Rey Inn’s commitment to its employees
Strike up the Band-Box
Jo Ellis, a columnist for the Joplin Globe newspaper, reported about a sometimes-overlooked but cherished part of the history of Carthage, Missouri -- the rare Chicago Coin's Band-Box, also known as “Strike Up the Band," in the Pancake Hut restaurant along Route 66. The Band-Box is a coin-operated miniature, robotic big band that's been in … Continue reading Strike up the Band-Box