American Express, in conjunction with the World Monuments Fund, announced today it was giving $150,000 for an economic study to help sustain historic Route 66. Excerpts from the news release: This initiative, which is part of the American Express Partners in Preservation initiative launched in 2006, is focused on sustaining historic sites in the face … Continue reading American Express gives money for Route 66 preservation
Category: Preservation
City gives grant to owner of 1930s station
The City of Normal, Ill., has given a $46,695 grant to a woman so she can put a new roof and install temporary heating in her 1930s gas station on an old alignment of Route 66, reports the Bloomington Pantagraph. She plans to eventually convert the gas station into a restaurant, visitors center and bed-and-breakfast. … Continue reading City gives grant to owner of 1930s station
Duke City Fix takes up El Vado’s cause
Duke City Fix, one of the most popular blogs in Albuquerque, has jumped on board with the cause to save El Vado Motel on Route 66 -- not that it never was on board in the first place. Duke City Fix has been an enthusiastic supporter of Route 66 preservation since the beginning. E-mails in … Continue reading Duke City Fix takes up El Vado’s cause
Report on the Havasu Hotel
Cronkite News Service in Arizona has a report about residents' efforts to save the Havasu Hotel in Seligman from the wrecking ball. It was a Harvey House for many years until it closed decades ago. Most of the story treads over familiar ground, except for this new twist: Frank Kocevar, owner of Seligman Sundries, a … Continue reading Report on the Havasu Hotel
Will Rogers Hotel marks 10th year of reopening
The historic Will Rogers Hotel on Lynn Riggs Boulevard (aka Route 66) in Claremore, Okla., is celebrating its 10th year Friday since reopening as a home for businesses and long-term residents, reports the Claremore Progress. The hotel opened in 1930 and was there to take advantage of the area's natural mineral water springs, which was … Continue reading Will Rogers Hotel marks 10th year of reopening
An urgent message from Albuquerque
Here it is, in full: Greetings: El Vado Motel is back on the Albuquerque Landmarks and Urban Conservation Commission's agenda in two weeks. If you support preservation of this historic Route 66 landmark, know that its designation as a City of Albuquerque Landmark is again at stake, along with its very existence. Two related questions … Continue reading An urgent message from Albuquerque
History of the Green Spot
Mark Landis, writing for the San Bernardino County Sun, wrote an interesting historical overview of the Green Spot Motel, built in 1937 on Route 66 in Victorville, Calif. The Green Spot, at 16937 C St., was the finest motel in town, offering the most modern comforts and services available for the traveling public. Twin arched … Continue reading History of the Green Spot
You’re invited
Today, I received a message in the mail from the Illinois Department of Transportation. Here's what it said: Governor Rod R. Blagojevich and the Illinois Department of Transportation in conjunction with the Great Rivers Greenway District Cordially invite you to the Dedication Ceremony for the McKinley Bridge and the opening of The Chamber of Commerce … Continue reading You’re invited
Bringing back Broadway
Los Angeles Downtown News Online has posted a long story about the city's attempts to revitalize the historic Broadway district, part of which is old Route 66. Many similar efforts have failed. But because the downtown area is gaining more residents, there's some urgency and hope that a Broadway revival will be for real. For … Continue reading Bringing back Broadway
Induction day
The Pontiac (Ill.) Daily Leader was there Wednesday when Betty Estes was inducted into the Illinois Seniors Hall of Fame. She's been a major Route 66 booster in the Pontiac region. Asked what she was most proud of in her work with the city of Pontiac, Estes said it would have to be the Route … Continue reading Induction day