Johnny Mango at Duke City Fix in Albuquerque has been doing a lot of thinking about this issue. His observations about crime and grinding competition crowding out the historic motels are spot-on. Here are what he thinks are solutions: 1. Special tax status for small motels. We already do this for agricultural land in the … Continue reading How to save our Route 66 motels
Category: Preservation
Baxter Springs gas station receives grant
A historic gas station on Route 66 in Baxter Springs, Kan., has received a $26,202 grant from the National Park Service's Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program to fix up the exterior and repair its heating and air-conditioning system, reports the Joplin (Mo.) Globe. The 1930 station is a Phillips 66 cottage-style station, and it's owned … Continue reading Baxter Springs gas station receives grant
Meadow Gold sign will find a new home
The Tulsa World reported this morning that the historic Meadow Gold sign, which has was dismantled in 2004 and placed into storage for safekeeping, will eventually find a new home in Tulsa just east of Peoria Avenue and 11th Street, aka Route 66. Mark Farrell is donating a portion of the southwest corner Quaker Avenue … Continue reading Meadow Gold sign will find a new home
Emily’s day at the Triangle
As promised, here is Emily's report about the volunteer work day Saturday to help clean up the Triangle Motel in Amarillo, with plenty of her own pictures.
Work day at the Triangle Motel
Saturday was a work day by Route 66 volunteers to help clean up the long-neglected Triangle Motel in Amarillo, Texas. About a dozen people showed up, which was way more than a grateful Alan McNeil, the motel's new owner, ever anticipated. I personally wasn't able to attend because of my work schedule. But Emily, aka … Continue reading Work day at the Triangle Motel
Praise the good votes, gently chide the bad votes
A couple weeks ago, the Albuquerque City Council narrowly denied an appeal of the Landmarks Commission's decision to designate El Vado Motel on Route 66 as a city landmark. El Vado owner Richard L. Gonzales wanted to raze the historic motel and build luxury townhouses in its place. But after outcry from Albuquerque preservationists and … Continue reading Praise the good votes, gently chide the bad votes
Tucumcari theater named to historic register
The Odeon Theater, a few blocks north of Route 66 in Tucumcari, N.M., was added to the New Mexico Register of Cultural Properties, reports the Quay County Sun. Murphey said the Odeon was recognized for its Art Deco details and for the dedication of its owner, Ramon Martinez, to keep the theater an on-going operation … Continue reading Tucumcari theater named to historic register
Steak ‘n Shake may land on historic register
The Steak 'n Shake at St. Louis Street and National Avenue in Springfield, Mo., may soon be listed on the National Register of Historic Places, reports the Springfield News-Leader. This particular franchise was built in 1962, and its owner, Gary Leonard, has made it a point to keep the retro-looking restaurant looking spiffy. The article … Continue reading Steak ‘n Shake may land on historic register
Help the Triangle
Red Fork Hippie Chick is planning to help a volunteer work crew on Saturday, Aug. 19, at the Triangle Motel in Amarillo, Texas. Read about why she's going, and why you ought to help out, too.
Good news for El Vado; bad news for Horn Oil Co.
Route 66 advocate Johnny Meier reports to us that the Albuquerque City Council on Monday rejected 5-4 an appeal by Richard Gonzales to reconsider the city landmark status that's protecting El Vado Motel from redevelopment. I'm a bit shocked the vote was that close, but as they say in the NFL, a win's a win. … Continue reading Good news for El Vado; bad news for Horn Oil Co.