Jim Conkle of the California Route 66 Preservation Foundation reports that both he and Hampton Inns were nominated for the Preserve America Presidential Award. Conkle found out yesterday that Hampton Inns won, so he in essence also won because he was a humongous part of the Hampton Inns Route 66 Caravan a few years ago … Continue reading Hampton Inns wins Preserve America honor
Category: Preservation
OKC theater may be renovated
I received an e-mail from the Uptown Development Group in Oklahoma City, which seeks to renovate property that includes the old Tower Theater at 425 NW 23rd, an alignment of Route 66. The group, which bought the property in February, seeks assistance from the Oklahoma Historical Society and the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program in … Continue reading OKC theater may be renovated
Webb City’s Route 66 seeing dramatic change
The northern part of Range Line Road in Webb City, Mo., aka Madison Street, aka Route 66, is being dramatically altered because of the City Pointe retail development. The town needs the tax revenue from the development. But as Joplin Globe columnist Wally Kennedy notes, there also is a palpable sense of something being lost. … Continue reading Webb City’s Route 66 seeing dramatic change
Tucumcari may set up Route 66 management plan
Several cities along Route 66 already have Route 66 corridor management plans. What's a bit startling is that Tucumcari, N.M. -- which has boasted one of the most distinctive stretches of Route 66 for decades -- doesn't even have a plan. The Quay County Sun has the story about the proposed corridor plan meetings.
Captain Creek Bridge’s appearance will be preserved
About a month ago, it was reported here that Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry announced he was signing a bill to allocate $125 million in emergency bridge repairs. The funding would have targeted load-posted bridges in particular. I was especially concerned with the Captain Creek Bridge on old Route 66 near Wellston. The photo above is … Continue reading Captain Creek Bridge’s appearance will be preserved
El Vado Motel appeal is denied
I got word today from the city of Albuquerque that the appeal of Richard Gonzales, owner of El Vado Motel on Route 66, was denied. He was seeking to overturn the Landmarks Commission's recommendation to designate El Vado a city landmark, thus giving the historic motel greater protection. Gonzales was wanting to tear down the … Continue reading El Vado Motel appeal is denied
Man seeks to boost involvement of town to Route 66
As I've learned from a bunch of e-mails in the past few months, Pete Pettry is a tireless booster of Route 66. The Mother Road goes through Edmond, Okla., but the town up until recently seems to have expressed little interest in playing up that historic link. If Edmond jumps on board, Pettry will be … Continue reading Man seeks to boost involvement of town to Route 66
Here are damage photos of Pacific Liquors sign
Kent Sanderson sent photos of the former 66 Liquors sign in Pacific, Mo., after it was heavily damaged by the severe storms that wreaked havoc in the Midwest last week. Damage to the sign was initially reported here. Here's a "before" shot of the sign: Here are the "after" shots: The Route 66 Association of … Continue reading Here are damage photos of Pacific Liquors sign
Trout Fishing in Miami
Route 66 got a hefty dose of music and humor Tuesday night as the Coleman Theatre Beautiful in Miami, Okla., hosted Trout Fishing in America. Trout, for the uninitiated, is a two-man folk band made up of guitarist Ezra Idlet and bass player Keith Grimwood. The pair, who look about like Mutt and Jeff (Idlet … Continue reading Trout Fishing in Miami
Storm damages 66 Pacific Liquors sign
The severe storms that went through the St. Louis area a few days ago damaged the former 66 Pacific Liquors sign along Route 66 in Pacific, Mo., according to Mother Road aficionado Jane Dippel. The photo above was taken about three years ago shortly after the sign was repaired. It doesn't advertise 66 Pacific Liquors … Continue reading Storm damages 66 Pacific Liquors sign