A new classic

It's apparent the folks that own the Campbell Hotel, aka former Casa Loma Motel in Tulsa, are getting close to opening when they put up this retro-looking neon sign on the side of that historic building. I shot these photos in the early evening today. The hotel, which was closed for many years, is at … Continue reading A new classic

Harvey House in Barstow marks 100 years

The landmark Harvey House in Barstow, Calif., is marking its centennial, and a  celebration is planned in the coming weeks, according to the Desert Dispatch newspaper. [T]he Chamber is planning a community-wide carnival style celebration of the Harvey House’s 100th anniversary in the spring, although details have yet to be worked out. The current Harvey … Continue reading Harvey House in Barstow marks 100 years

Tulsa service station nominated to National Register

Cities Service Station No. 8 in Tulsa has been nominated to the National Register of Historic Places, according to a recent print edition of the Tulsa County News. The nomination for long-closed station, at 1648 Southwest Blvd. (aka Route 66), was unanimously approved by the Tulsa Preservation Commission and also approved by the state. The … Continue reading Tulsa service station nominated to National Register

Part of Cadillac Ranch goes topless — temporarily

The roof on one of the Cadillacs at the iconic Cadillac Ranch near Amarillo, Texas, has rusted off. But its longtime benefactor says the roof will be welded back on, reported the Amarillo Globe-News. Stanley Marsh 3, the Ranch’s patron saint, isn’t sure when the top dropped from the vintage auto situated second from the … Continue reading Part of Cadillac Ranch goes topless — temporarily

Arroyo Seco Parkway named to National Register

The Arroyo Seco Parkway Historic District, a highway that once carried Route 66 in Los Angeles County, was named to the National Register of Historic Places effective Feb. 4, according to a National Park Service e-mail. According to the e-mail, the historic district covers California Highway 110 from a four-level interchange in Los Angeles to East … Continue reading Arroyo Seco Parkway named to National Register

Happy ending to petroglyphs vandalism

In August, ancient petroglyphs east of Route 66 near Williams, Ariz., were found vandalized by spray paint. Experts believe the petroglyphs at Keyhole Sink are at least 1,000 years old. But according to Seth Muller at the Arizona Daily Sun in Flagstaff, the paint has been removed and the petroglyphs mostly restored: In November, Weintraub and … Continue reading Happy ending to petroglyphs vandalism

The Blue Whale’s magical mushrooms

I've visited the Blue Whale in Catoosa, Okla., literally dozens of times. But I'd never known about the existence of these things on the grounds until I saw this photo Saturday on the Blue Whale's Twitter account: That's Ron Edwards John Davis taking a break, one of the many Fins of the Blue Whale volunteers … Continue reading The Blue Whale’s magical mushrooms

Bad news, good news at Bird Creek Bridge hearing

Those attending a public hearing Thursday night at the Catoosa Community Center in Catoosa, Okla., heard bad news and good news regarding the historic but decrepit Bird Creek Bridge that carried Route 66. The bad news is the westbound 1936 bridge will be gone in a matter of months and replaced by a nondescript $5.4 million … Continue reading Bad news, good news at Bird Creek Bridge hearing

Eagle Hotel in Wilmington put up for sale

The historic Eagle Hotel along Route 66 in Wilmington, Ill., has been put up for sale, according to a story in the Chicago Sun-Times. The item was tucked into a story about the Launching Pad Drive-In restaurant in Wilmington also being put up for sale, which Route 66 News reported a few weeks ago. The … Continue reading Eagle Hotel in Wilmington put up for sale

Senator introduces bill to create Mojave Trails National Monument

U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Cal.) introduced a bill today that would in part create the Mojave Trails National Monument, which would encompass and protect much of the Route 66 corridor in California's Mojave Desert. The bill is called the California Desert Protection Act of 2011, according to a news release from Feinstein's office. The Mojave … Continue reading Senator introduces bill to create Mojave Trails National Monument