Clifton's Cafeteria, a historic restaurant in downtown Los Angeles near the original western terminus of Route 66, on Wednesday removed the aluminum that hid the building's original 1904 facade for nearly 50 years, reported the Los Angeles Times. The new view was a little unsightly. But the facade will be restored as part of an … Continue reading Historic L.A. restaurant displays its original facade
Category: Preservation
El Garces makes slow progress
It's been slow, but the Needles (Calif.) Desert Star reported this week that the effort to restore and eventually reopen the historic El Garces hotel, restaurant, and railroad depot in Needles is making progress. The stumbling point has been whether the Federal Transportation Administration will approve a joint operating agreement between El Garces LLC and the … Continue reading El Garces makes slow progress
Wigwam Motel in Rialto named to National Register
The Wigwam Motel on Route 66 in Rialto, Calif., was placed on the National Register of Historic Places effective Jan. 3, according to an email Thursday afternoon from the National Park Service. The Wigwam, which features individual motel cabins in the shape of tepees, was nominated in late 2011; its inclusion on the National Register was … Continue reading Wigwam Motel in Rialto named to National Register
Let’s make Route 66 a National Historic Trail
It's time for the Route 66 community to talk to congressmen about eventually designating the Mother Road as a National Historic Trail, under the auspices of the National Park Service. Of the eight states where the old highway traverses, six have attained Byways or All-American Road status for Route 66. A seventh -- California -- … Continue reading Let’s make Route 66 a National Historic Trail
Bill would eliminate National Scenic Byways program
A transportation bill proposed by U.S. House committee chairman would eliminate the National Scenic Byways program, according to an email from an official with the Route 66 Association of New Mexico. Rep. John Mica (R-Fla.), chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, introduced legislation Tuesday that would repeal the byways program, according to an email … Continue reading Bill would eliminate National Scenic Byways program
Group sets cleanup, festival in west Tulsa
Tulsa's Young Professionals, aka TYPros, announced Wednesday it would stage its annual Street CReD event along the Route 66 corridor of west Tulsa's Red Fork neighborhood on April 13-14. The news release states: The goal of this year’s Street CReD, titled Red Fork Revival, will be to bring back some of this history and show the community the potential … Continue reading Group sets cleanup, festival in west Tulsa
The Nat will become an antique mall
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
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)