And this would be bad … how?

Frank C. Girardot, editor of the Pasadena Star-News and senior metro editor for the San Gabriel Valley Newspaper Group, wrote this op-ed excerpt today: Historical preservationists are keeping a wary eye on Caltrans' plans for the historic Pasadena Freeway. The freeway, which runs from Glenarm Parkway in Pasadena straight to the Four-Level interchange downtown, looks … Continue reading And this would be bad … how?

Two vintage Albuquerque motels will find new life

The Luna Lodge and the Sundowner Motel along Central Avenue (aka Route 66) in Albuquerque are going to be renovated in the coming months and converted into apartment complexes, according to the Albuquerque Journal. According to the newspaper: The Sundowner Motel at 6101 Central NE, just west of San Pedro, would be transformed into a … Continue reading Two vintage Albuquerque motels will find new life

Chicago historic building undergoes a face-lift

Dave Clark, aka Windy City Road Warrior, keeps his ear to the ground on all things Route 66 in the Chicagoland area. On his blog, Clark reports that the International Tailoring Building at 847 W. Jackson Blvd. (Route 66) in Chicago has undergone an extensive renovation since the structure in recent years. It was named … Continue reading Chicago historic building undergoes a face-lift

66 Bowl up for sale; investors sought for it

The historic 66 Bowl in Oklahoma City soon will be up for sale, and an organizer of the Okie Twist-off music and car festival and an area Realtor are looking for help from investors to buy and preserve the property, according to e-mails I received today. The owners of the 66 Bowl confirmed by e-mail … Continue reading 66 Bowl up for sale; investors sought for it

Devil’s Elbow Bridge lands a USDA grant

Pulaski County, Mo., has been scrounging for a couple of years for money to repair the aging Devil's Elbow Bridge in the Route 66 hamlet of Devil's Elbow, Mo. It looks like the county has landed more cash for the bridge, courtesy of the federal government. From KOLR-TV in Springfield: The U.S. Department of Agriculture … Continue reading Devil’s Elbow Bridge lands a USDA grant

Firm chosen for historical study of California’s Route 66

Mead & Hunt, an engineering and architecture firm, was chosen by the California Preservation Foundation to help prepare a comprehensive history of Route 66 in California in the next year, according to a news release today. Mead & Hunt, which has offices in Sacramento, was chosen from 16 firms. Here is a list of the … Continue reading Firm chosen for historical study of California’s Route 66

Notes from the road

Kim Benoit of Montreal has created a miniature version of the fictional Route 66 town of Radiator Springs, seen in the 2006 Disney/Pixar animated movie "Cars." Here are the photos that Benoit sent: Well done, I'd say. --- The owners of Seaba Station on Route 66 near Warwick, Okla., seek to reopen the historic auto … Continue reading Notes from the road

What’s next for the Bird Creek Bridge?

A public meeting by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation on Tuesday evening left little doubt that the historic but deteriorating Bird Creek Bridge near Catoosa will be soon closed to traffic or dismantled entirely -- the latter of which would greatly alter that scenic "Three Bridges" vista on Route 66. However, after the meeting, an … Continue reading What’s next for the Bird Creek Bridge?

Wagon Wheel Motel is now on Facebook

The new owner of the Wagon Wheel Motel in Cuba, Mo., has set up a Facebook page for that historic Route 66 motel. From a news release from Viva Cuba: According to the new owner Connie Echols, “The Facebook page offers a little history, some construction updates, and information about what the gift shop has … Continue reading Wagon Wheel Motel is now on Facebook

Notes from the road

A public hearing has been scheduled regarding the future of the Bird Creek Bridge on Oklahoma 66 near Catoosa. The westbound Bird Creek Bridge, which dates to 1936, is part of the so-called Twin Bridges part of Route 66 there. The meeting by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation is set for 6 p.m. April 20 … Continue reading Notes from the road