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
Category: Preservation
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
Joplin barbershop designated a historic landmark
Dale's Ole 66 Barber Shop, at Utica Street and Euclid Avenue in Joplin, Mo., was designated a historical landmark by the Joplin Historic Preservation Commission, reports the Joplin Globe. The city will put up a sign outside the shop denoting its status. Any further changes planned for the building must be approved by the commission. … Continue reading Joplin barbershop designated a historic landmark
Route 66 group conducting membership drive
Geoff Ladd of the Route 66 Heritage Foundation of Logan County wants to get going in restoration efforts for The Mill in Lincoln, Ill., and other Route 66 projects. To do this, he and his group are conducting a membership drive, according to a news release. Individual memberships are $15 a year, and business memberships … Continue reading Route 66 group conducting membership drive
Applications for cost-share grants now available
Here is a news release, straight from the U.S. Department of the Interior: February 5, 2007 The National Park Service Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program is pleased to announce that its 2007 cost-share grant application cycle is now open. Grant applications may be submitted to the program office until April 27, 2007. Awards will be … Continue reading Applications for cost-share grants now available
El Vado Motel update
Preservation Online, a publication by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, has a story about the City of Albuquerque fending off an attempt by a developer to demolish the historic El Vado Motel on Route 66. Much of the information in the Preservation Online story has already been reported here and in other media. But … Continue reading El Vado Motel update