The historic Boots Motel of Carthage, Mo., reopened Tuesday to overnight guests after a decade-long hiatus. A few reports and videos have popped up, but this one by KOAM-TV in nearby Pittsburg, Kan., is the best so far: UPDATE: KY3 News also posted a story and video about the reopening.
Category: Preservation
Saving a bridge by putting it on a diet
The historic York Boulevard Bridge in Los Angeles, which carried Route 66 from 1932 to 1934, apparently is in danger of being torn down and replaced with a wider bridge because of traffic congestion. However, a local cyclist has come up with an intriguing possible solution to keep the 1912 concrete arch bridge and make … Continue reading Saving a bridge by putting it on a diet
Boots Motel reopens for overnight travelers on Tuesday
The Boots Motel of Carthage, Mo., a Route 66 landmark once endangered by redevelopment, at last will reopen for overnight stays starting Tuesday, reported the Joplin Globe. The motel already has its five rooms available for guests booked for that night. The property isn't fully restored, but the new owners -- sisters Deborah Harvey and Priscilla … Continue reading Boots Motel reopens for overnight travelers on Tuesday
The Nat reopens in Amarillo
The historic Nat Ballroom in Amarillo, Texas, reopened this past weekend after months of renovations and repairs. KFDA-TV in Amarillo has a story: According to the Amarillo Globe-News, Kasey Robinson, who owns The Nest gift shop in the city's Sixth Avenue district (aka Route 66), bought the property and has turned it into an antiques mall. … Continue reading The Nat reopens in Amarillo
Design students help owner of historic gas station
A group of design students provided concepts for the owner of the historic Sprague Super Service station in Normal, Ill., reported the Bloomington Pantagraph. It's an understatement to say the station's owner was pleased with the designs: Illinois State University design students brought tears to Terri Ryburn’s eyes Wednesday when they presented concepts for three … Continue reading Design students help owner of historic gas station
Revisiting the Red Cedar Inn
Last weekend, the owners of the Red Cedar Inn in Pacific, Mo., held an open house for the closed Route 66 landmark for potential buyers. Route 66 Realtors, which is listing the property, posted a slideshow from the event. It might take some folks down memory lane: https://youtu.be/II4EUk-9CLc The restaurant opened in 1934 at 1047 East … Continue reading Revisiting the Red Cedar Inn
Kansas governor will appear at Route 66 byway ceremony
Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback will attend the Saturday ceremony in which Route 66 in Kansas will be designated a historic byway, according KODE/KSN-TV. Brownback will sign the byway proclamation at 1 p.m. at the historic Marsh Arch Bridge, aka Rainbow Bridge, near Riverton, Kan. Map to the bridge is here. The public is invited. The … Continue reading Kansas governor will appear at Route 66 byway ceremony
Preservationists concerned by Aztec Hotel’s impending renovations
The historic Aztec Hotel in Monrovia, Calif.. is closed for renovations. Ordinarily, this would be good news for a distinctive structure built in 1924 and probably needs the work. However, preservationists fret that the work will endanger the hotel's listing on the National Register of Historic Places. The San Gabriel Valley Tribune reported: The work is … Continue reading Preservationists concerned by Aztec Hotel’s impending renovations
From the precipice to revitalization
This new Cronkite News Service video explains how El Trovatore Motel in Kingman, Ariz., went from the brink of foreclosure to rapid revitalization: https://vimeo.com/40966348 For more about the motel's sign restorations, go here and here.
Red Cedar Inn up for sale again
The Red Cedar Inn, a famous Route 66 restaurant in Pacific, Mo., that closed in 2005, apparently is on the sale block again. The Smith family, owners of the property, announced an open house from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, according to the Washington Missourian. The newspaper reported: “Since it has been remodeled it’s a completely … Continue reading Red Cedar Inn up for sale again