Periodically, I get e-mails from the good folks at Roadside America, informing me about updates to the site. The latest edition has few new reader tips that should be of interest to Route 66 fans: The big cross just off Route 66 in Edmond, Okla. It's big, but not nearly as huge as the one … Continue reading Roadside America updates
Category: Preservation
Down at the ol’ Rabbit Ranch
It's always a treat to visit to Henry's Rabbit Ranch, located on old Route 66 in Staunton, Ill. Not only is proprieter Rich Henry an affable host, but it's fun to pet the ever-mellow Montana, one of his 37 pet rabbits, and see the new stuff Henry has acquired or planned. Henry's has a well-stocked … Continue reading Down at the ol’ Rabbit Ranch
Restoring the Meadow Gold sign
Greater Tulsa Reporter Newspapers has a story about the ongoing restoration and re-erection of the historic Meadow Gold neon sign on 11th Street (Route 66) in Tulsa. Much of the information has already been reported, but the article fleshes out new material about the sign's restorer, Claude Neon Federal Signs, and its work: The sign … Continue reading Restoring the Meadow Gold sign
Bent Door has a new Web site
Ramona Kiewert, the new co-owner with her husband Roy of the historic Bent Door in Adrian, Texas, e-mailed me to inform everyone that they moved the Bent Door's Web site to a new URL on WordPress.com, which is blog-hosting site and home to Route 66 News. The new URL is here. So please update your … Continue reading Bent Door has a new Web site
Historic hotel reverts to city ownership
The Eagle Hotel in Wilmington, Ill., described as the oldest hotel on all of Historic Route 66, has reverted to city ownership after its holder wasn't able to reopen it by a Jan. 15 deadline, according to the Daily Journal. The hotel, built in 1836, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and … Continue reading Historic hotel reverts to city ownership
The power of the orange 76 ball
This story from the Wall Street Journal that a reader pointed out doesn't have any Route 66 content, save for the soon-to-be-apparent roadside nostalgia. But this group's protests over ConocoPhillips' decision to remove the "76" orange balls from old Union 76 gas stations that the corporation acquired proves to be illustrative on how grassroots efforts … Continue reading The power of the orange 76 ball
An update on Roy’s of Amboy
Mike Anton of the Los Angeles Times wrote an excellent story about the attempts by Albert Okura, owner of the Juan Pollo restaurant chain, to resuscitate the historic Roy's in the lonely Route 66 desert down of Amboy, Calif. Okura hoped to be further along in fixing up the property, but progress has been slow: … Continue reading An update on Roy’s of Amboy
La Posada de Albuquerque update
Don Pizzolato of Duke City Fix met with Gary Goodman, the developer of La Posada de Albuquerque. The historic hotel, as you may recall, is in limbo because renovations have been more expensive than anticipated, and Goodman is seeking $9 million in industrial revenue bonds to finish the project. Pizzolato's entry is worth reading as … Continue reading La Posada de Albuquerque update
El Vado demolition request rejected
From today's Albuquerque Journal: The historic El Vado Motel on Central is safe for now. By a 4-2 vote, the city Landmarks and Urban Conservation Commission on Wednesday denied a request to demolish the 70-year-old tourist court, in part finding the property owner, Richard L. Gonzales, failed to show that no means of preserving the … Continue reading El Vado demolition request rejected
Holiday season at the Bent Door
Ramona Kiewert, one of the new co-owners of the Bent Door in Adrian, Texas, sent these photos that were taken during the recent winter storm that hit the Panhandle in late December. She mentioned that the residents of Adrian complemented them on the Christmas lights hanging from the building's vigas. The folks there were probably … Continue reading Holiday season at the Bent Door