More than a decade ago, German tourist Martin Schall was near the end of Route 66 road trip. He took a wrong turn and ended up in downtown Los Angeles. He became awed by the city's skyscrapers and architecture, and started shooting pictures. He's returned to L.A. nine times to document that city's rich architecture, … Continue reading Documenting L.A.’s architecture
Category: Preservation
Roy’s should be back in business soon
Trevor Summons of the San Bernardino County Sun drove Route 66 deep into California's Mojave Desert to see whether he could find the hamlet of Bagdad. He didn't find much. "Blink, and you'll miss it" is the common description of what now is a ghost town. However, he motored on to the nearby Route 66 … Continue reading Roy’s should be back in business soon
Ruling leaves El Vado’s future in doubt
According to the first paragraph of the Albuquerque Tribune: Two rulings this week on the future of the Route 66-era El Vado motel either deal a huge setback to the city's efforts to preserve the historic structure or represent a minor bump in the road, depending on whom you talk to. First off, State District … Continue reading Ruling leaves El Vado’s future in doubt
Illinois House passes police headquarters bill
The Illinois State Senate approved a bill Friday that would transfer ownership of the historic Illinois State Police District 6 building from the state to Livingston County for $1, reported the Bloomington Pantagraph. The Senate Bill 768 goes on to the House. The pistol-shaped building, built on Route 66 near Pontiac in 1941, was recently … Continue reading Illinois House passes police headquarters bill
Randy’s of Wildorado is moving
A reader tipped me off that the fine-dining restaurant on Route 66 in Wildorado, Texas, is moving to nearby downtown Amarillo. Sure enough, Randy's Web site says the restaurant closed its Wildorado location on Feb. 17 and is moving into the historic Paramount Building at 817 S. Polk, about two blocks south of Route 66. … Continue reading Randy’s of Wildorado is moving
Restoration of Needles hotel begins
The long-closed El Garces Hotel in Needles, Calif., built in 1908 and one of the last surviving railroad Harvey Houses, recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for its rehabilitation, reported the Mohave Daily News. According to the article: Plans call for El Garces to include a state of California Needles Visitor Center, an inter-modal transit center, … Continue reading Restoration of Needles hotel begins
Lawmaker wants to protect old police building
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
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