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
Category: Preservation
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
Tilting at the Mill
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
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