The Decatur (Ill.) Herald & Review has a good article about Geoff Ladd, executive director of the Abraham Lincoln Tourism Bureau of Logan County, and his efforts to save The Mill on old Route 66 in Lincoln, Ill. He was looking to promote connections and objects associated with Route 66 and his optimistic eye soon … Continue reading Tilting at the Mill
Category: Preservation
Activity in Arcadia
On Sunday, I took a drive on Route 66 to Arcadia, Okla., to check the progress of POPS, the bigger-than-life convenience store envisioned by Chesapeake Energy CEO and Route 66 fan Aubrey McClendon. The above photo is the 66-foot-tall pop bottle and straw, which will be swirled in LED tubing when it's finished. I spied … Continue reading Activity in Arcadia
Sky City Pueblo of Acoma named a National Trust Historic site
Sky City Pueblo of Acoma west of Albuquerque, which is the oldest continually inhabited community in North America, has been named the 28th National Trust Historic Site, according to a news release. Overlooking a vast desert-and-mountain sweep of northern New Mexico and dating back to 1150 A.D., Acoma Sky City is a vibrant community characterized … Continue reading Sky City Pueblo of Acoma named a National Trust Historic site
Three Route 66 additions to the National Register of Historic Places
Three pieces of Route 66 were recently added to the National Register of Historic Places. One is the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge, which links Madison, Ill., to north St. Louis over the Mississippi River. It was designated on Dec. 1. This story in the Suburban Journals of St. Louis provides a nice overview of … Continue reading Three Route 66 additions to the National Register of Historic Places
Bent Door update
I e-mailed Ramona Kiewert, asking them how she and her husband, Roy, were coming on their plans of moving from Nacogdoches, Texas, to Adrian, Texas, so they could restore and reopen the historic Bent Door. The Kiewerts bought the long-closed Route 66 business last summer. Here is what she told me: We haven't moved as … Continue reading Bent Door update
An interesting note about El Vado Motel
Redforkhippiechick received an interesting comment a few days ago from Karim Hakam about her post in February about the endangered El Vado Motel on Route 66 in Albuquerque. Hakam's father ran El Vado for a number of years. Here's what he had to say: ... It never ceases to amaze me how passionate the Route … Continue reading An interesting note about El Vado Motel
One to watch
The Bloomington (Ill.) Pantagraph compiles an annual "10 to Watch" list of central Illinois residents who are rising fast in prominence and influence. One who made the list is Geoff Ladd of the Lincoln Tourism Bureau of Logan County, who's already attracted attention for his preservation efforts of an area Route 66 icon. Ladd started … Continue reading One to watch
For sale — one historic police station
The Bloomington Pantagraph published a story that the State of Illinois may auction off surplus property to add a few million dollars to the state budget. That's routine in many states. But one of the pieces of property is anything but routine. It is the former Illinois State Police District 6 headquarters near Pontiac. It … Continue reading For sale — one historic police station
Tucumcari train station in line for $400,000 grant
The train station in Tucumcari, N.M., isn't on Route 66, but it and the railroad are so strongly linked to the Mother Road that any news about it is noteworthy. The Quay County Sun in Tucumcari reports that the historic train station is set for $400,000 worth of improvements to become a centerpiece of downtown's … Continue reading Tucumcari train station in line for $400,000 grant
Thoughts on El Vado hearing
Johnny Meier, a longtime member of the New Mexico Route 66 Association, attended the recent hearing regarding the demolition application of El Vado Motel in Albuquerque. Here are excerpts from an e-mail of his thoughts: The projected income was argued by the developer to be considered as an unreasonable rate of return given the cost … Continue reading Thoughts on El Vado hearing