Arizona musician Will Strickland sings about the revitalization of the historic El Trovatore Motel in Kingman, Ariz. Local filmmaker Norman Fisk provided the footage for the video: https://youtu.be/1XFbHFdb12U (Nighttime image of El Trovatore Motel by Graeme Maclean via Flickr)
Category: Preservation
Route 66-themed gift shop opens in Aztec Hotel
A "Get Your Kicks on Route 66" gift shop has opened inside the historic Aztec Hotel in Monrovia, Calif., according to the Monrovia Patch. Owner Bryan Gerber sent the online publication a news release about the opening. Excerpts here: The new shop “Get your Kicks On Route 66” billed as “A Pop-Culture Curio Shop” will … Continue reading Route 66-themed gift shop opens in Aztec Hotel
The man behind the Triangle Motel
KC Keefer's latest clip in his ongoing "Genuine Route 66 Life" series consists of an interview with Alan McNeil, owner of the long-closed Triangle Motel in Amarillo, Texas. https://youtu.be/P1D3I7h95Vw You have to give McNeil credit -- he keeps plugging away nearly eight years after he started and with not a lot of money in hand. A … Continue reading The man behind the Triangle Motel
Route 66 program is accepting grant applications
The Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program announced Thursday it has opened its 2014 season for accepting applications for cost-share grants. The deadline to submit an application is March 28. It requires a minimum investment of 50 percent of the cost. Nearly $1.8 million in grants have been awarded since 2001. Forms and more about the … Continue reading Route 66 program is accepting grant applications
Developer drops De Anza project
The developer of the historic but long-closed De Anza Motel in Albuquerque has dropped the project entirely because he didn't get the funding he wanted, reported KRQE-TV in Albuquerque. Developer Rob Dickson had ambitious plans for the De Anza Motel at Central and Washington. He promised to create 39 apartments, a Zuni jewelry store, a … Continue reading Developer drops De Anza project
Tucumcari theater reopens Friday after renovations
The historic Odeon Theatre in downtown Tucumcari, N.M., reopens Friday with a 7 p.m. screening of the animated film "Frozen" after months of interior renovations by its new owners. Improvements included upgrades to the long-substandard sound system and a conversion to digital projection, including 3-D capability for the theater's next film, "The Hobbit: The Desolation of … Continue reading Tucumcari theater reopens Friday after renovations
Scout replants crosses at Route 66 cemetery
KOTV in Tulsa unearthed this remarkable story about a Boy Scout and a cemetery for a long-gone poor farm along Route 66 near Bristow, Okla. NewsOn6.com - Tulsa, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports - KOTV.com | Richard Dye, 17, was the one with the idea to plant new and improved white crosses at … Continue reading Scout replants crosses at Route 66 cemetery
Old gas stations being converted into trendy restaurants
Many old and abandoned gas stations in America are being converted into neighborhood restaurants, according to a story on CNN.com. And Route 66 is not immune to this trend. The report said: "Gas stations are almost always on corner sites, they have good visibility and great accessibility, so they make great locations for restaurants," said … Continue reading Old gas stations being converted into trendy restaurants
Old Cathedral in St. Louis undergoing restoration
The Old Cathedral in St. Louis, located next to the Gateway Arch grounds, is undergoing a privately funded $10 million restoration, reported the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The newspaper detailed what will happen to the 1834 church, also known as the Basilica of St. Louis King of France: [T]he Old Cathedral will have new windows, air-conditioning … Continue reading Old Cathedral in St. Louis undergoing restoration
The neon at the Blue Swallow Motel
Many things make the Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, N.M., distinctive. One of the big things is its neon lighting. Co-owner Kevin Mueller talks about the motel's neon in this new video from KC Keefer's "Genuine Route 66 Life" series. https://youtu.be/WqZeqixWA1Y (Night image of the Blue Swallow Motel's neon sign by Nancy L. Stockdale via … Continue reading The neon at the Blue Swallow Motel