The Odeon Theatre of Tucumcari, N.M., which is just a few blocks north of Route 66, has been one of six theaters in New Mexico nominated to the State Register of Cultural Properties and the National Register of Historic Places, according to the Quay County Sun. In his nomination of the theater, historian David Kammer … Continue reading Tucumcari theater nominated for National Register
Category: Preservation
Trolley museum celebrates 10th year
The city of Sapulpa, Okla., is marking the 10th anniversary of the trolley museum that sits on a prominent spot along Route 66, reports the Sapulpa Daily Herald. It's a 1918-19 electric trolley that moved around Sapulpa a lot and nearly was purchased by the nearby town of Sand Springs. But a local group stepped … Continue reading Trolley museum celebrates 10th year
City of Lincoln may condemn The Mill
The city of Lincoln, Ill., has filed a public-nuisance complaint against the owner of The Mill, a long-closed restaurant on Route 66 that resembles a windmill, reports the Lincoln Courier. The Mill originally opened at the Blue Mill in 1929, which had an lighted, revolving windmill. The restaurant closed in 1996, and the building has … Continue reading City of Lincoln may condemn The Mill
Southwest Museum is closed … now what?
Scott Piotrowski reports that the Southwest Museum of the American Indian, the oldest museum in Los Angeles, has closed and its future is uncertain. There will be a "funeral service" for the museum at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Gold Line Southwest Museum rail station, along with a candlelight vigil that evening at Sycamore Grove … Continue reading Southwest Museum is closed … now what?
Triangle Motel Web site is up
Alan McNeil, the man who seeks to restore the long-closed Triangle Motel at 7954 Amarillo Blvd., aka Route 66, in Amarillo, Texas, recently put up his Web site about his renovation efforts for the 1940s motel. You can find the site here. I held some initial skepticism about McNeil's ability or will to restore it. … Continue reading Triangle Motel Web site is up
Property for sale update
While checking a few things with my "Route 66 Properties for Sale" link, I saw the following things have occurred: The Apache Motel in Tucumcari, N.M., is under contract. It was in bad shape, as its for-sale price of $59,000 attests. Hopefully, the buyer can do something with it. The price on the historic Palomino … Continue reading Property for sale update
Tulsa Monument Co. building is safe
There was some fear when a monument company that occupied that historic, Art Deco-designed Tulsa Monument Co. building at 1735 E. 11th St., aka Route 66, moved out a few weeks ago at the behest of the landlord. What would be the future of that landmark building? Not to fear -- the building is safe. … Continue reading Tulsa Monument Co. building is safe
Write to help the Southwest Museum
The Southwest Museum of the American Indian is just off Route 66 and is the oldest museum in Los Angeles, dating to 1913. Some controlling interests want to move the museum's contents to another site; American Indians and other museum advocates want the artifacts to stay where they are. For more background on this complicated … Continue reading Write to help the Southwest Museum
Route 66 Lost and Found, Vol. 2
The new second installment of Russell A. Olsen's "Route 66 Lost and Found" book (160 pages, $32) made me realize how far the renaissance of the Mother Road has come and how very far it still has to go. For those who are unfamiliar with his books, Olsen finds vintage photographs of businesses along Route … Continue reading Route 66 Lost and Found, Vol. 2
Historic Route 66 theatre will reopen
The Gillioz Theatre in Springfield, Mo., opened on Route 66 on Oct. 12, 1926 -- one day after Route 66 was given its name. The Gillioz, which is on the St. Louis Street alignment of Route 66, is set to reopen exactly 80 years after its opening night, after more than 16 years and $10 … Continue reading Historic Route 66 theatre will reopen