The old bridge that carried U.S. 66 over the Meramec River at the former town of Times Beach, Mo., was recently named to the National Register of Historic Places, according to an e-mail Friday from the National Park Service. The bridge now serves to carry travelers into Route 66 State Park. According to the excellent … Continue reading Meramec River Bridge named to National Register
Category: Preservation
Tulsa’s fabulous Warehouse Market
The Journal Record published an excellent story about the historic Warehouse Market building, an art deco gem, on 11th Street (aka Route 66) in Tulsa. Built in 1929, the building was designed by B. Gaylord Nofstger with lots of terra cotta. Its entryway borrowed heavily from the famous patterns used with Chicago’s Commercial Building, mixing … Continue reading Tulsa’s fabulous Warehouse Market
Vega Motel goes on auction block
The historic Vega Motel on Route 66 in Vega, Texas, is going to be the subject of a sealed-bid auction because of delinquent taxes. Here's the notice about the auction: Oldham County Appraisal District is taking sealed bids on the Vega Motel, Lots Numbered Six (6), Seven (7), Eight (8), Nine (9) and Ten (10), … Continue reading Vega Motel goes on auction block
Vintage gas station is the real thing
This isn't on Route 66, but it's so cool and unique that it's noteworthy. The town of La Grande, Ore., contains a 1959 Texaco gas station that actually works for its intended purpose. There are plenty of well-preserved vintage gas stations around the country, but this is the only one that I'm aware of that … Continue reading Vintage gas station is the real thing
A closer look at El Rancho Grande
Greater Tulsa Reporter Newspapers has published a well-done article about El Rancho Grande, the oldest surviving restaurant on 11th Street (aka Route 66) in Tulsa. The news hook is the restaurant's recently restored and unique neon sign. But the story also contains a nice overview about the development of Tex-Mex cuisine in Tulsa (and the … Continue reading A closer look at El Rancho Grande
Refurbishing old vehicles
The Tulsa World had a couple of articles last week about old vehicles being restored to as good as new in Oklahoma. The first was about the Maggie M, an electric trolley that served the Route 66 town of Sapulpa from 1919 to 1933. After it was taken out of service, the trolley sat decaying … Continue reading Refurbishing old vehicles
San Fidel property named to National Register
The former Acoma Curio Shop on Route 66 in the tiny Route 66 settlement of San Fidel, N.M., was named to the National Register of Historic Places effective Oct. 7, according to an e-mail Thursday from the National Park Service. The shop is now home for Mary Trask's Gallery66.us, an art gallery that sells and … Continue reading San Fidel property named to National Register
A rare and old grain elevator
Bill Kemp, an archivist with the McLean County Museum of History, wrote an interesting article in the Bloomington (Ill.) Pantagraph about the history of grain elevators. In particular, he focuses on the J.W. Hawes Grain Elevator Museum in the Route 66 town of Atlanta, Ill. The Hawes elevator was built in 1903 and is one … Continue reading A rare and old grain elevator
Car show will help restore The Mill
The Railsplitter Antique Auto Club, along with the Route 66 Heritage Foundation of Logan County, is holding a classic car show from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at The Mill in Lincoln, Ill. -- a former Route 66 restaurant that's undergoing restoration. According to the Lincoln Courier: Registration is open to everyone and the … Continue reading Car show will help restore The Mill
Albuquerque mayor loses re-election
It appears incumbent Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chavez has lost his bid for an unprecedented fourth term on Tuesday night in a close race against Rep. Richard Berry. I don't get too wound up about local election campaigns, and confess to knowing little about the mayoral candidates' platforms. But I confess to a tinge of sadness … Continue reading Albuquerque mayor loses re-election