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
Category: Preservation
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
A visit to Molly’s Landing
A good story filed by KWTV-TV in Oklahoma City tells about Molly's Landing, off Route 66 in Catoosa, Okla. Click this link for the video. I'm sure, however, that a few restaurants along Route 66 in Texas would dispute the "best steak on Route 66" boast. One thing the TV station overlooked was Molly's Landing … Continue reading A visit to Molly’s Landing
Zoning approved to convert Joliet church to senior housing, Route 66 center
The City Council of Joliet, Ill., approved zoning changes Monday that would allow a developer to convert a long-closed church into senior housing and a Route 66 visitors center, reported the Chicago Tribune. St. Mary’s Carmelite Church, built in 1882, had been closed for 20 years in downtown Joliet. The developer, Celadon Holdings of Chicago, … Continue reading Zoning approved to convert Joliet church to senior housing, Route 66 center
Downtown L.A. theater completes $1 million restoration
The century-old Palace Theatre in downtown Los Angeles held tours this past weekend after the owners finished a $1 million restoration, reported the Los Angeles Times. The theater, which opened in 1911, sits at 630 S. Broadway, about one block from the original western endpoint of Route 66 at Seventh and Broadway. The Delijani family … Continue reading Downtown L.A. theater completes $1 million restoration
Orphaned signs in Albuquerque seen as an art project
A number of signs from long-gone Route 66 motels and businesses still stand along Central Avenue in Albuquerque, decaying in the desert sun. However, artist Ellen Babcock has forged an idea for those "orphaned" signs, reported Local IQ: “I was looking at the photographs I had taken on a walking tour we did and thought the … Continue reading Orphaned signs in Albuquerque seen as an art project