A proposal seeks donations instead of taxpayer money to make badly needed repairs to the historic Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield, reported the State Journal-Register. The newspaper said: Legislation filed by state Sen. Andy Manar, D-Bunker Hill, would allow the agriculture department to form a state fairground foundation that would solicit private funds from individuals … Continue reading Donations may be sought to fix Illinois State Fairgrounds
Category: Preservation
Nominate endangered Route 66 places to the National Trust list
If you think a Route 66 landmark faces imminent danger from the wrecking ball, you can do something that might make a difference. Kaisa Bartuli at the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program is recommending that roadies make nominations to the National Trust for Historic Preservation's list of 11 Most Endangered Historic Places for 2014. She explained … Continue reading Nominate endangered Route 66 places to the National Trust list
VFW wants to restore Skylark Motel tower and neon
The Veteran of Foreign Wars Post 2482 will apply for a grant to restore the tower and its "neon scene" of the former Skylark Motel in west St. Clair, Mo., according to an article by The Missourian. The VFW post, which uses the motel at 1087 North Service Road West as its headquarters now, is applying … Continue reading VFW wants to restore Skylark Motel tower and neon
El Garces may reopen as soon as March as a depot
The historic El Garces Hotel in Needles, Calif., may reopen as early as late March as an intermodal transportation facility -- but not as a hotel -- after a long rehabilitation, according to a recent report by the Needles Daily Star. According to the newspaper: Linda Kidd, city council woman and project committee member, said the hope … Continue reading El Garces may reopen as soon as March as a depot
A sweet old look to a new Waynesville building
This article was going to be primarily about a new candy shop in downtown Waynesville, Mo. More on that later. But first, it's intriguing how the shop's landlord transformed a vacant lot with a new building that manages to sport an attractive but old-fashioned look. It is Roubidoux Square at 115 N. Benton St. (map … Continue reading A sweet old look to a new Waynesville building
U-Drop Inn neon lights are back on — in LED
The Facebook account of the historic U-Drop Inn gas station in Shamrock, Texas, recently announced the long-awaited installation of LED neon has been completed and the lights are on. According to the page, the neon will be on from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. nightly, although I'm certain the "lights on" time will be adjusted … Continue reading U-Drop Inn neon lights are back on — in LED
La Posada owner may buy another Harvey House
Allan Affeldt, owner of the historic La Posada along Route 66 in Winslow, Ariz., posted this Facebook message today: In Las Vegas new mexico today to open escrow to buy the Castaneda - another long-neglected fred harvey hotel, one of the loveliest and most famous in the southwest. Now i have until 8 april to … Continue reading La Posada owner may buy another Harvey House
Historic hotel in Seligman receives grant
A group that wants to turn the century-old Cottage Hotel in Seligman, Ariz., into a visitors center and museum received a $9,000 grant from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, according to The Associated Press and a news release from the agency. The Seligman Historical Society will use the grant to survey the property for potentially harmful asbestos … Continue reading Historic hotel in Seligman receives grant
Sapulpa tourism advocate named Citizen of the Year
Russell Crosby of Sapulpa, Okla., on Thursday was named the city's 2013 Citizen of the Year for his work on the famed trolley car on Route 66 and other tourism attractions over the years, according to the Sapulpa Daily Herald. His list of accomplishments is impressive: His contributions in Sapulpa include the transformation of an … Continue reading Sapulpa tourism advocate named Citizen of the Year
Public meetings set for California Route 66 management plan
The Bureau of Land Management and the California Historic Route 66 Association are scheduling two public hearings later this month about a proposed Route 66 Corridor Management Plan from the western edge of Barstow, Calif., to the Colorado River in Needles, Calif. All members of the public are invited to these meetings: Tuesday, Feb. 25, … Continue reading Public meetings set for California Route 66 management plan