The U.S. Senate and House of Representatives passed a bill Wednesday night that ended the 16-day partial shutdown of the federal government. As a result, parks, campgrounds, historic sites, and services along Route 66 that are maintained by the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management or U.S. Forest Service reopened Thursday morning. The Grand … Continue reading Government shutdown ends; national parks along Route 66 reopen
Category: Preservation
La Fonda finishes renovations
The historic La Fonda Hotel in Santa Fe, N.M., recently finished extensive renovations and showed off the results with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting and open house Tuesday, according to the Sante Fe New Mexican newspaper. Upgraded furnishings, windows and color motifs, as well as improvements to the landmark hotel’s rooftop bar were on display, along with … Continue reading La Fonda finishes renovations
Groundbreaking for Devil’s Elbow Bridge repairs set for Oct. 24
The Pulaski County Commission will hold a groundbreaking ceremony at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 24, to commemorate the long-awaited start of renovations for the 90-year-old Devil's Elbow Bridge on Route 66 in Devil's Elbow, Mo., according to a news release. It will take about 10 months to renovate the bridge, so travelers should keep that … Continue reading Groundbreaking for Devil’s Elbow Bridge repairs set for Oct. 24
Grand Canyon reopens for one week after Arizona foots the bill
The Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona reopened Saturday after the state said it would pay $651,000 for one week of its operating expenses. However, all other national parks in Arizona, including Petrified Forest National Park, remain closed because of the federal government shutdown, reported the Arizona Republic. So while Williams and other towns near … Continue reading Grand Canyon reopens for one week after Arizona foots the bill
Downtown Joliet church soon will be auctioned
The historic but long-closed St. Mary Carmelite Church in downtown Joliet, Ill., will be auctioned Oct. 23 after attempts to convert it to senior housing stalled, according to The Herald-News and other media outlets. Scott Henry of Celadon Holdings hopes the building will fetch at least $278,000, which was about was put spent on the church … Continue reading Downtown Joliet church soon will be auctioned
History-minded fraternity honors El Trovatore Motel
The Lost Dutchman Chapter of E Clampus Vitus, on Sept. 28 dedicated a granite and bronze plaque in the shape of the state of Arizona to the historic El Trovatore Motel in Kingman, Ariz. E Clampus Vitus is a fraternal organization that's dedicated to the study and preservation of the American West. It has erected … Continue reading History-minded fraternity honors El Trovatore Motel
Luna Lodge project in Albuquerque wins national award
NewLife Homes won a prestigious award last month for converting the historic but previously run-down Luna Lodge motel on Route 66 in Albuquerque into low-income housing, despite numerous obstacles, reported the Albuquerque Journal. NewLife earned the honor at the Novogradac Journal of Tax Credits Historic Rehabilitation Awards Luncheon in Detroit. The newspaper reported: Luna Lodge at … Continue reading Luna Lodge project in Albuquerque wins national award
Breakfast at Maxxwell’s Restaurant
On a recent Monday morning, we got the chance to try a new eatery in Tulsa's Campbell Hotel, Maxxwell's Restaurant. One meal convinced us this will be a valuable addition to this historic Route 66 hotel and likely will become a dining destination in its own right. Maxxwell's opened a few weeks ago in the … Continue reading Breakfast at Maxxwell’s Restaurant
Route 66 already feeling effects of government shutdown
The shutdown of the United States government started only a few hours ago, and the Route 66 corridor is not immune to its effects. --- The office of the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program in Santa Fe, N.M., is closed. As part of the National Park Service, the office cannot offer help on grants and … Continue reading Route 66 already feeling effects of government shutdown
The Mill Car Cruise-In set for Oct. 12
The Mill Car Cruise-In is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12, as part of Illinois' National Scenic Byway Week activities at the historic Route 66 restaurant at 738 S. Washington in Lincoln, Ill. The annual meeting of the Route 66 Heritage Foundation of Logan County, the group that owns the site, … Continue reading The Mill Car Cruise-In set for Oct. 12