The century-old Santa Monica Pier started a one-year remodeling project last week, but the Southern California landmark will stay open during the work, reported the Santa Monica Mirror. Workers will build a new pedestrian trestle on the pier's south side, erect new concrete columns, and remove and replace its timbers and substructure. Work is expected … Continue reading Santa Monica Pier begins renovations
Category: Preservation
Original sign re-installed at Boots Motel
Workers from the Wilhite Signs delivered and installed a replica of the original Boots Court sign at the historic Boots Motel in Carthage, Mo. Wilhite was the sign company that installed the original Boots Court sign when the Route 66 motel was built in 1939. The sign and its color scheme later was changed to … Continue reading Original sign re-installed at Boots Motel
Was the wrong developer chosen for De Anza?
A guest column in the Monday edition of the Albuquerque Journal suggests the redevelopment of the historic De Anza Motor Lodge stalled because a city agency overruled an independent panel's recommendation for the property. John Bloomfield said the city should have followed the recommendation to hire NewLife Homes to rejuvenate the Route 66 property. NewLife … Continue reading Was the wrong developer chosen for De Anza?
Geoff Ladd resigns from Logan County Tourism
Geoff Ladd, director of the Abraham Lincoln Tourism Bureau of Logan County in Lincoln, Ill., resigned his post Wednesday so he could pursue "new employment opportunities," according to the Lincoln Courier. Ladd oversaw the bureau when the county saw a 30 percent increase in hotel tax revenue and helped draw the World's Largest Covered Wagon … Continue reading Geoff Ladd resigns from Logan County Tourism
Palms Grill Cafe will close for six days to transition to new operators
The Palms Grill Cafe in downtown Atlanta, Ill., will close from April 30 to May 5 to allow for a transition for the restaurant's new operators, the Atlanta Public Library Board said in a news release. The board recently selected J-R Culinary Partners as the restaurant's new managers. The lease for the previous manager was … Continue reading Palms Grill Cafe will close for six days to transition to new operators
Hotel Brunswick scheduled to reopen in September
The historic Hotel Brunswick and its restaurant along Route 66 in Kingman, Ariz., are set to reopen in September, reported the Kingman Daily Miner . Next door, Route 66 Ice Cream and Sweets, a bakery and ice-cream shop, is set to open in June, the newspaper said. As we reported in September, Werner Fleischmann of … Continue reading Hotel Brunswick scheduled to reopen in September
Two historic theaters near Route 66 corridor are coming back
Historic theaters in the Route 66 towns of Winslow, Ariz., and Santa Fe, N.M., have reopened or soon will reopen, according to news reports. The Winslow Movie Theater, known as the Rialto in downtown Winslow, held its grand opening March 29, reported the Tribune-News in Winslow. Stephen and LuAnne Hancock of nearby Joseph City recently … Continue reading Two historic theaters near Route 66 corridor are coming back
Ground broken on Sundowner Motel redevelopment project
Officials broke ground Thursday on the redevelopment of the Sundowner Motel in Albuquerque. The motel will be adapted into apartments for veterans, the homeless, mixed-income residents, and people with special needs. According to Albuquerque Business First, renovating the Sundowner is a $9.2 million project. Final plans include 71 apartments, commercial space for small business incubators, … Continue reading Ground broken on Sundowner Motel redevelopment project
Midewin Tallgrass Prairie may reintroduce buffalo
The Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, located off Route 66 near Chicago, may reintroduce native bison there as early as December, reported the United States Department of Agriculture blog. The blog said the park may bring in 20 to 30 of the buffalo, which once roamed the Plains by the millions less than two centuries ago. … Continue reading Midewin Tallgrass Prairie may reintroduce buffalo
1927 locomotive will steam into San Bernardino
A former Santa Fe Railroad steam locomotive, Engine No. 3751, dating to 1927 will make a rare appearance in the Route 66 town of San Bernardino, Calif., during San Bernardino Railroad Days on April 27-28. According to a news release from "Route 66 Railway" author Elrond Lawrence: The steam special will be operated from Los … Continue reading 1927 locomotive will steam into San Bernardino