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
Category: Preservation
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
Boots Motel returns to its original roof
Here it is -- the art deco-inspired Boots Motel in Carthage, Mo., with its original flat roof for the first time in more than three decades. The Route 66 landmark came with a flat roof when built in 1939. However, the owners erected a gabled roof over it about 1978. When sisters Debye Harvey and Priscilla Bledsaw bought … Continue reading Boots Motel returns to its original roof
De Anza project may be in jeopardy
The main developer of the historic De Anza Motor Lodge along Route 66 in Albuquerque says the revitalization project may be scuttled if historic tax credits aren't approved soon by the federal government, reported Albuquerque Business First. The newspaper said: Developer Rob Dickson said the approval of historic tax credits, which represent almost 15 percent of the project’s … Continue reading De Anza project may be in jeopardy
Nonprofit group seeks to restore Whiting Brothers signs
A nonprofit group that's trying to spur Route 66 tourism in the Albuquerque region is raising funds to restore signs at a Whiting Brothers gas station in Moriarty, N.M. -- the only one still operating. According to a report in the Mountain View Telegraph, a member of RETRO-Relive the Route asked for money from the … Continue reading Nonprofit group seeks to restore Whiting Brothers signs
Boots Motel begins removal of gabled roof
Workers on Tuesday began removing a gabled roof from the Boots Motel in Carthage, Mo., so its owners could return the Route 66 landmark to its original flat roof, reported the Carthage Press. Co-owners Deb Harvey and her sister, Priscilla Bledsaw, and manager Deborah “Debbie Dee” Real were all smiles Tuesday morning when Brothers Construction rolled … Continue reading Boots Motel begins removal of gabled roof
New Gold Dome owner backs off from demolition efforts
The new owner of the Gold Dome in Oklahoma City has halted efforts to demolish the historic structure along Route 66, reported The Oklahoman newspaper on Tuesday. Earlier this month, David Box filed a demolition permit for the geodesic dome structure. When he bought it last fall for $800,000, he pledged to preserve it. When … Continue reading New Gold Dome owner backs off from demolition efforts
Yukon’s Best Flour sign will be relighted by summer
The historic "Yukon's Best Flour" sign on top of a mill off Route 66 in Yukon, Okla., will be relighted by early summer due to the successful fundraising efforts of a local nonprofit group, according a recent print edition of the Yukon Review newspaper. The mill itself, which contains a gigantic painted sign on its … Continue reading Yukon’s Best Flour sign will be relighted by summer