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
Category: Preservation
‘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
Video summarizes “Route 66: The Road Ahead” conference
A few days ago, the World Monuments Fund uploaded this eight-minute video that summarizes the "Route 66: The Road Ahead" conference that took place in November at a hotel near Disney's Cars Land in California. You'll probably see a few familiar faces from Route 66, including Dawn Welch at the Rock Cafe, Kevin Mueller at … Continue reading Video summarizes “Route 66: The Road Ahead” conference
A visit to Enchanted Trails RV Park
KC Keefer with his ongoing "Genuine Route 66 Life" video series interviews Vickie Ashcraft at the Enchanted Trails RV Park west of Albuquerque. The interview also serves as a brief tour of a couple of the vintage travel trailers that Ashcraft rents out to overnight guests. If you'd like to stay in one, go here. … Continue reading A visit to Enchanted Trails RV Park
Owner of El Rancho Hotel in Gallup dies
Armand Ortega Sr., 86, savior of the historic El Rancho Hotel in Gallup, New Mexico, when it faced the wrecking ball during the 1980s, died Wednesday. An employee at the hotel said Ortega had been in failing health for about a year. His funeral was today at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Gallup, with burial at Sunset Cemetery. Ortega Family Enterprises, based in Santa Fe, owns … Continue reading Owner of El Rancho Hotel in Gallup dies
Outdoor concert will benefit Sprague’s station
An outdoor benefit concert by a local country-music band for the Sprague's Super Service station in Normal, Illinois, will be coupled with free tours of the historic facility Sunday by owner Terri Ryburn, reported WJBC radio. Sprague's Super Service 305 E. Pine St. in Normal is hosting an outdoor concert from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday. … Continue reading Outdoor concert will benefit Sprague’s station