The Lincoln Courier posted an article about John Sutton, project manager behind the restoration of The Mill restaurant on Route 66 in Lincoln, Ill. Sutton was just named the Courier's Citizen of the Month. He is currently devoting his time and efforts to restoring the inside of the historic Mill restaurant that was known for … Continue reading Meet the man behind The Mill’s restoration
Category: Preservation
Obscure compared to what?
A report today from the Heartland Institute, a Chicago-based nonprofit group that advocates free-market solutions, recommended that the State of Illinois abolish its Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Heartland Institute says the deficit-wracked state would save millions of dollars by abolishing the agency (although the group doesn't specify how much savings would be generated … Continue reading Obscure compared to what?
Springfield applies for grant for Bel-Aire Motel rehab
The City of Springfield, Ill., is applying for a grant to repair the long-declining Bel-Aire Motel and eventually convert it into a Route 66 museum, reported the Springfield State Journal-Register. The grant sought for the Bel-Aire is $1 million from the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program. The city plans to cover the other $600,000 for the … Continue reading Springfield applies for grant for Bel-Aire Motel rehab
Car-restoration TV show coming this spring
Greene HD Productions, which has produced previous programs about Route 66, has shot a reality-television series, "Reality Rides," about restoring a 1955 Buick Special. The program is set to air in spring 2011. Brian Greene says it's a 12-part series shot in high-definition video. A five-man team restored the Buick from the frame up, even … Continue reading Car-restoration TV show coming this spring
County seeks grant to restore wooden Route 66 bridges
The Desert Dispatch reports that San Bernardino County in California is seeking a federal grant to restore old bridges on the National Old Trails Road -- an early alignment of Route 66. The county applied for a $52 million stimulus grant to replace 130 bridges that were built between 1929 and 1931 on the old … Continue reading County seeks grant to restore wooden Route 66 bridges
A checkoff for the Mother Road?
Tucked into this business column by Tim Landis of the Springfield State Journal-Register is this fascinating little item: * ROUTE 66 now has its own Illinois income-tax checkoff. The checkoff for promotion and preservation of the historic route is among four signed into law last week by Gov. Pat Quinn. The others are for Habitat … Continue reading A checkoff for the Mother Road?
El Vado finally safeguarded by city of Albuquerque
The city of Albuquerque finally has gained ownership of the historic El Vado Motel along Route 66, and city officials are exploring ideas on what to do with it now, reports the Albuquerque Journal. Among the ideas are converting the property to a Route 66 neon museum, an artists' colony space, or even as a … Continue reading El Vado finally safeguarded by city of Albuquerque
Streetcar Diner will be moved
As expected, the historic Streetcar Diner on the old Riviera Roadhouse property has been donated to the village of Gardner, Ill., where it will be moved in the coming days, reported the Morris Daily Herald. Here's background about the diner, which no longer operates as a restaurant but was restored a few years ago as … Continue reading Streetcar Diner will be moved
Santo Domingo Trading Post gets $1 million restoration grant
The former Santo Domingo Trading Post along old Route 66 north of Albuquerque was awarded a $1 million federal grant from the Economic Development Administration to restore the property, reported the New Mexico Business Weekly. The trading post is on Kewa Pueblo, formerly called Santo Domingo. From the report: The trading post is adjacent to … Continue reading Santo Domingo Trading Post gets $1 million restoration grant
Santa Rosa scoops
I always enjoy the print edition of the Guadalupe County Communicator, based out of Santa Rosa, N.M., when it arrives in my mailbox each week. It's a lively newspaper owned by a former Rocky Mountain News reporter, and the fact it's on Route 66 is bonus. This week, the Communicator contained these items of interest … Continue reading Santa Rosa scoops