The Pontiac (Ill.) Daily Leader reports that state Sen. Dan Rutherford, R-Chenoa, has introduced a bill that would protect the long-closed Illinois State Police District 6 headquarters on Route 66 in Pontiac. Senate Bill 768 would transfer ownership of the unique gun-shaped building to Livingston County for $10. The building recently had been declared state … Continue reading Lawmaker wants to protect old police building
Category: Preservation
Atlanta’s Downey Building update
The good folks of Atlanta, Ill., have been working to renovate the historic Downey Building in downtown, which is part of old Route 66. The Bloomington Pantagraph reports that a circa-1938 Palms Grill Cafe will be part of the complex and a local history museum. Around 6:30 p.m. April 24, the replica Palms Grill Café … Continue reading Atlanta’s Downey Building update
Vintage gas station being restored
KOTV in Tulsa has a short article about a vintage Phillips 66 gas station in downtown being restored to its former appearance, including photos. The Vickery Phillips 66 station is located at 602 S. Elgin Ave. It's going to be converted into a rental-car business. In September 2006, it was awarded a grant from the … Continue reading Vintage gas station being restored
State police building named to National Historic Register
The now-closed Illinois State Police District 6 building at 15551 Old Route 66 in Pontiac was named to the National Register of Historic Places, announced the National Park Service today. The gun-shaped building was built in 1941, and was inducted into the Illinois Route 66 Association's Hall of Fame in 2000. Regrettably, I've not been … Continue reading State police building named to National Historic Register
Wigwam Motel makes “Quirky sleeps” list
Gary A. Warner, travel editor of the Orange County Register, gives out his personal list of "the funniest, funkiest and most wonderfully strangest places I've visited." Not surprisingly, the Wigwam Motels made the list, with kudos to the one on Route 66 in Rialto, Calif.: Wampum required: Wigwam Motels.There are three surviving Wigwam motels. The … Continue reading Wigwam Motel makes “Quirky sleeps” list
Restoration of Meadow Gold sign completed
OK, the refurbishing of the historic Meadow Gold sign on Route 66 in Tulsa isn't 100 percent done. After all, the sign still has to be re-erected at its new site at 11th Street (Route 66) and Quaker Avenue. But the repairs on the massive letters and new neon tubing were recently finished by Claude … Continue reading Restoration of Meadow Gold sign completed
Historic Amarillo restaurant closes
Preservation Online, which is published by the National Trust of Historic Preservation, reports that the historic and distinctive-looking Beef Barrel Burger restaurant in Amarillo, Texas, closed about a month ago. Owner Bill Fischer, whose father-in-law, F.E. Waller, bought the barrel-shaped building in 1947, said high energy bills, food prices, and competition from fast-food eateries forced … Continue reading Historic Amarillo restaurant closes
Albuquerque approves funds for La Posada
A few days ago, the City of Albuquerque approved issuing $8.9 million in industrial revenue bonds to help renovate the historic La Posada de Albuquerque in downtown, reported the Albuquerque Journal. Owner Gary Goodman was supposed to reopen the hotel this spring, but renovation costs were higher than anticipated. It's now anticipated to open in … Continue reading Albuquerque approves funds for La Posada
Lots of things going on in Lincoln
A story today in the Lincoln (Ill.) Courier has a bunch of information about Route 66-related events coming up in Logan County. You can click the link for the story, but I'll try my best to summarize the big points here: The Route 66 "garage sale" on June 9-10, which will go from Atlanta, Ill., … Continue reading Lots of things going on in Lincoln
Historic house placed on endangered list
The former Duncan Manor farmhouse, aka Towanda Meadows, near old Route 66 in Towanda, Ill., has been placed on Landmarks Illinois' Ten Most Endangered Historic Places because the structure's deterioration, reports the Bloomington Pantagraph. The report says that a porch has collapsed, and that the eaves have sustained serious damage. It is hoped that the … Continue reading Historic house placed on endangered list