A dozen prospective buyers checked over the historic and endangered Boots Motel in Carthage, Mo., reported KSNF-TV today in nearby Joplin. Local realtor Jim Hunter says he's had a huge amount of interest in the property. "Some local historic preservation people and some private individuals who want to remain anonymous at this point but there is … Continue reading Possible buyers look at Boots Motel
Category: Preservation
Newest gas station face-lift in Tucumcari
Here's the latest abandoned gas station along Route 66 in Tucumcari, N.M., that received a new coat of decorative paint. It's the gas station at the Paradise Motel on the west end of town, given a Sinclair Oil decor. The repainting was finished over the weekend. Richard Talley, owner of the Motel Safari in town, said … Continue reading Newest gas station face-lift in Tucumcari
Tucumcari resumes gas station face-lifts this weekend
Volunteers in Tucumcari, N.M., who dressed up two long-closed gas stations last year with attractive paint jobs will start their efforts again this weekend. The face-lift target this time is the gas station at the Paradise Motel on the city's west edge. Volunteers will paint the station so it looks like an old Gulf or … Continue reading Tucumcari resumes gas station face-lifts this weekend
Students present revitalization plan for Carthage
Students from Drury University in Springfield, Mo., presented a final proposal Monday to revitalize the downtown area of Carthage, Mo., according to the Carthage Press. The plan includes the renovation and reopening of several R0ute 66 landmarks. A map of the proposal reveals a restored Boots Motel and the long-closed Boots Drive-In restaurant, a Route 66 … Continue reading Students present revitalization plan for Carthage
Tourist season begins at Blue Whale … and more
Today marked the opening of the souvenir shack at the historic Blue Whale, just off Route 66 in Catoosa, Okla. It will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, or for special occasions or sizable tour groups. The stand sells postcards (many of them decades old), T-shirts, magnets, coozies, Catoosa creme soda, and … Continue reading Tourist season begins at Blue Whale … and more
Pearls of news items
Today, I was asked to attend the Route 66 Archives and Research Collaboration at Oklahoma State University-Tulsa. The event was organized by the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program. I made my pitch for the ample online news archives of Route 66 News. But, as is typical of such gatherings, I heard a few pearls of … Continue reading Pearls of news items
A blue tie affair
Tonight, I was volunteer for the Blue Tie Affair, a fundraising dinner for the Blue Whale of Catoosa, Okla. The event featured an outdoor dinner at the Blue Whale grounds, and was catered by the nearby Molly's Landing restaurant. The weather and atmosphere were perfect. It's not often that you see a string orchestra performing … Continue reading A blue tie affair
Historic theater in Lincoln will be honored
The city of Lincoln, Ill., and Main Street Lincoln soon will honor the historic Lincoln Theatre as a part of National Preservation Week, according to the Lincoln Daily News. The theater, now a four-screen movie house, sits just a couple of blocks from Route 66 in downtown Lincoln, at 215 S. Kickapoo St. It's been … Continue reading Historic theater in Lincoln will be honored
A closer look at the Campbell Hotel
For many months, we'd watched as the former Casa Loma Hotel building on Route 66 in Tulsa was being renovated. A few weeks ago, a new neon sign had been installed for what is now called the Campbell Hotel. With the Tulsa Designer Showcase starting this weekend, we finally had a chance to see what the … Continue reading A closer look at the Campbell Hotel
Local group considers buying the Boots Motel
A group in Carthage, Mo., is considering ways to preserve the historic Boots Motel along Route 66 as a town landmark, reports the Joplin Globe. “It was pretty much unanimous that they want to see more preservation along Route 66 in Carthage. Since the Boots is for sale, it would be the first target,” said … Continue reading Local group considers buying the Boots Motel