The Nat Ballroom, a legendary former nightclub on Route 66 in Amarillo, Texas, will be converted into an antique mall that perhaps will eventually include a cafe and movie screen, reported the Amarillo Globe-News today. The previous tenant's lease ended in December after nine years. Kasey Robinson, a local business owner, promptly picked up the … Continue reading The Nat will become an antique mall
Category: Preservation
Smithsonian magazine details Route 66’s revival
David Lamb of Smithsonian magazine has written an excellent article about Route 66's abandonment by the U.S. highway system and the Mother Road's eventual revival. It's in the February issue, but you can read it online here. The article focuses on Arizona -- Angel Delgadillo and the small Route 66 town of Seligman, La Posada … Continue reading Smithsonian magazine details Route 66’s revival
Springfield, Mo., discusses future of College Street
The City of Springfield, Mo., discussed ideas Wednesday on how to revitalize College Street west of downtown, which also served as the original Route 66. KSPR-TV filed this good video report: One person voiced concerns that are on the minds of many roadies. According to the Springfield News-Leader: Route 66 Association of Missouri President Tommy … Continue reading Springfield, Mo., discusses future of College Street
Angel makes an appearance in “American Restoration”
In the past week, the History Channel show "American Restoration" stopped in Seligman, Ariz. There, among other things, they renovated an old Wurlitzer jukebox that sat inside the shop of Angel "Guardian Angel of Route 66" Delgadillo. The 22-minute episode can be watched in its entirety here. (Hat tip: Colin Wilkes)
Tulsa’s Blue Dome District added to the National Register
Tulsa's Blue Dome District in the eastern part of downtown has been named to the National Register of Historic Places, according to an email Friday from the National Park Service. According to NPS, the listing was effective Dec. 13. The district includes Second Street, an alignment of Route 66 from 1926 to 1932. The approximate … Continue reading Tulsa’s Blue Dome District added to the National Register
The most important Route 66 document you may ever read
If you have a couple of hours, I urge you to download the "Route 66 Economic Impact Study" by Rutgers University. The main report is more than 400 pages, but this 59-page summary will prove very useful and concise. The reports recently were posted on the website of one of the study's collaborators, the World Monuments … Continue reading The most important Route 66 document you may ever read
Manning’s Coffee sign glows again
This recently restored Manning's Coffee Store rooftop neon sign in the Highland Park neighborhood of Los Angeles was relighted during a ceremony Tuesday afternoon. This video from the Highland Park-Mount Washington Patch shows the switch being thrown: The fellow on the right helping the munchkin drop the switch is Scott Piotrowski, author of the "Finding … Continue reading Manning’s Coffee sign glows again
It’s time to apply for cost-share grants from federal Route 66 program
The Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program, part of the National Park Service, announced Tuesday it now is taking applications for cost-share grants for 2012. Applications will be accepted through April 6. The grants will be announced later this summer. The cost-share grant program has proven to be an ideal way for historic Route 66 property … Continue reading It’s time to apply for cost-share grants from federal Route 66 program
Manning’s Coffee sign being restored
The historic Manning's Coffee Store rooftop sign in the Highland Park neighborhood of Los Angeles is being restored, reported the Highland Park-Mount Washington Patch. Manning's Coffee went out of business in the 1960s, and the sign's neon lighting hasn't functioned for many years. Las Cazuelas restaurant now occupies the building. The area is part of the … Continue reading Manning’s Coffee sign being restored
A drive over the Lake Overholser Bridge
This YouTube poster drove his old Mustang over the recently restored Lake Overholser Bridge, which carries old Route 66 in Oklahoma City: https://youtu.be/j-EAXNUuaDo?t=3m1s The 1924 bridge was reopened to traffic in October after a $4 million repair project. NOTE: Skip ahead to the 3:00 mark to see the relevant footage. I tried to embed it … Continue reading A drive over the Lake Overholser Bridge