The fate of the endangered National Scenic Byways Program looks more optimistic after the U.S. Senate on Wednesday easily passed a bipartisan two-year transportation bill, according to the New York Times and other news outlets. The bill would preserve the Byways program, of which Route 66 and other historic highways have been beneficiaries. However, according to three … Continue reading Future of Byways program looks somewhat brighter
Category: Preservation
Highland Park sign-relighting project wins award
The recent project that relighted two historic rooftop neon signs in the Highland Park neighborhood in Los Angeles has won a Highland Park Heritage Trust Award, according to a news release. The presentation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Franklin High School women's gym, at 820 N. Ave. 54 (map here) in … Continue reading Highland Park sign-relighting project wins award
Luna Lodge in Albuquerque soon will be reborn
The nonprofit NewLife Homes has scheduled a groundbreaking ceremony for noon March 23 for a project that will reuse the historic Luna Lodge motel in Albuquerque into a 30-unit mixed-use development and apartments for low-income families and special-needs people. The redevelopment will preserve the Luna Lodge's Pueblo-style architecture. The Luna, at 9119 Central Ave. (aka Route … Continue reading Luna Lodge in Albuquerque soon will be reborn
Grant sought for Route 66 Village in Tulsa
The City of Tulsa has applied for a $949,000 grant form the National Scenic Byways program to build an interpretive center, restrooms, and sidewalks at the Route 66 Transportation Village in southwest Tulsa, reported the current print edition of the Tulsa County News. The newspaper said it should be known by summer of fall whether … Continue reading Grant sought for Route 66 Village in Tulsa
State awards grant to help rehab Santa Rosa warehouse
The governor of New Mexico signed legislation Wednesday that awards $325,000 to the city of Santa Rosa to help plan and rehabilitate the historic Ilfeld Warehouse so it can eventually be converted into a Route 66 museum. Gov. Susana Martinez had promised to veto any item in the Legislature's capital-improvement measure that she deemed as pork. Good … Continue reading State awards grant to help rehab Santa Rosa warehouse
Wilmington tries to save historic City Hall building
The Route 66 town of Wilmington, Ill., may try to save its historic City Hall building by using the bones of an even older landmark that was demolished last month, reports The Free Press Newspapers. The town's 1869 railroad depot was razed in early February. However, not all of the structure's remains weren't hauled to … Continue reading Wilmington tries to save historic City Hall building
Work on El Trovatore sign tower begins
A few weeks ago, the owners of El Trovatore Motel along Route 66 in Kingman, Ariz., announced they were doing an extensive renovation of the Route 66 landmark. This week, the motel started work on the enormous sign tower. Co-owner Sam Frisher wrote in an email Thursday: Today we are starting by taking down the … Continue reading Work on El Trovatore sign tower begins
Albuquerque mayor wants input on revitalizing Route 66
It's going to be interesting to see how this shakes out later today: The most interesting part of KOB-TV's report on the mayor wanting to revitalize Central Avenue (aka Route 66) in Albuquerque is this: Whatever the perfect formula is, Mayor Berry says he wants to find it and make Albuquerque's star along Route 66 … Continue reading Albuquerque mayor wants input on revitalizing Route 66
Round Barn marks 20th year of restoration in April
The historic Round Barn in Arcadia, Okla., will mark the 20th anniversary of its restoration on April 14 with a celebration, reported The Oklahoman newspaper. Apparently details is still being worked out. But live music is certain, as the second floor of the barn has hosted dances for decades. The barn's first owner, William Odor, … Continue reading Round Barn marks 20th year of restoration in April
Old Tulsa service station may become a coffee shop
The George Tune auto shop complex at 2446 E. 11th St. (aka Route 66) in Tulsa, which includes a 1928 cottage-style service station building, was recently purchased by a Tulsa physician who plans to convert it into a coffee shop. The new owner is Dr. Morad El-Raheb, a general-practice physician who was born in Egypt … Continue reading Old Tulsa service station may become a coffee shop