The city manager for Monrovia, Calif., said the historic Aztec Hotel will undergo a "challenging" renovation in the coming months by its new owners. The report from City Manager Laurie Lile was posted by the Monrovia Patch. The most pertinent part: By all accounts, the future of the Aztec Hotel will be challenging. There are … Continue reading Aztec Hotel renovations will be “challenging”
Category: Preservation
La Fonda soon will undergo renovations
The historic La Fonda Hotel in downtown Santa Fe, N.M., soon will undergo significant interior renovations and make small cosmetic changes to the exterior, reported the Albuquerque Journal. The outside work required approval by the city's Historic Districts Review Board, and it was granted Tuesday. That includes the addition of a small staircase on the southwest … Continue reading La Fonda soon will undergo renovations
Steak ‘n Shake in Springfield, Mo., named to National Register
The Steak 'n Shake restaurant along East St. Louis Street (aka Route 66) in Springfield, Mo., has been added to the National Register of Historic Places effective Aug. 1, according to an email today from the National Park Service. The restaurant at 1158 E. St. Louis St. was nominated in May, so its inclusion was … Continue reading Steak ‘n Shake in Springfield, Mo., named to National Register
Significant changes likely coming to Arroyo Seco Parkway
https://youtu.be/flhd7Jr-3qE A number of significant changes are probably coming to the historic Arroyo Seco Parkway (aka Pasadena Freeway, aka Route 66) in the Los Angeles area, reported LA Curbed. The proposals come from the California Department of Transportation, so it's not just idle speculation. A summarized list: Reducing the speed limit from 55 to 45 … Continue reading Significant changes likely coming to Arroyo Seco Parkway
Remembering Ernie
The Ernie and Fran Edwards Route 66 International Appreciation Day was Sunday at the old Pig Hip restaurant site in Broadwell, Ill. Here's a photo taken by Logan County Tourism from the event. That's Fran Edwards, 90-year-old widow of the recently deceased Ernie Edwards, cutting the ribbon with a big pair of scissors at the dedication … Continue reading Remembering Ernie
A tour of the Wigwam Motel’s lobby
Kumar Patel, operator of the Wigwam Motel in Rialto, Calif., shows the souvenirs, memorabilia, and artifacts that are displayed in the lobby of his historic Route 66 motel: https://youtu.be/GwEhy19cXkQ The old photos of the wigwams when they were being built in the late 1940s are especially fascinating.
Low river exposes remnants of Springfield mill
The low water level of the Sangamon River has exposed what is likely the foundation of Carpenter's Mill, which operated in the mid-1800s on the north side of Springfield, Ill., reported The State Journal-Register. The location is near the Business 55 Bridge, also is Route 66. The newspaper reported: The mill operated between 1830 and … Continue reading Low river exposes remnants of Springfield mill
The Boots Motel now
Here's a recent video about the Boots Motel in Carthage, Mo., after it reopened to overnight travelers following a decade-long hiatus: https://youtu.be/JMRB5gD2IvI Stevo Svoboda has a bunch of other Route 66-related videos at his YouTube channel. On a related note, the Boots Motel has started a fundraising drive to remove its gabled roof and restore … Continue reading The Boots Motel now
Event will honor Ernie Edwards and his Pig Hip
A free cookout and other activities are set for Ernie and Fran Edwards Route 66 International Appreciation Day from 1 to 4 p.m. Aug. 5 at the Pig Hip restaurant site in Broadwell, Ill., according to a news release from Logan County Tourism. At 2 p.m., the Illinois Route 66 Preservation Committee will dedicate the … Continue reading Event will honor Ernie Edwards and his Pig Hip
De Anza project suddenly looks more doubtful
A developer who is seeking to revitalize the long-closed De Anza Motor Lodge in Albuquerque has delayed his scheduled groundbreaking until at least August until a financing snag can be worked out, reported the New Mexico Business Weekly. Developer Rob Dickson says the chances of a groundbreaking next month are 50/50. The newspaper said: The … Continue reading De Anza project suddenly looks more doubtful