When Route 66 travelers cruise through western New Mexico, one of the common stops just off the road is the amazing and beautiful Sky City of Acoma Pueblo. Today, the Gallup Independent reports that the news $10.4 million Sky City Cultural Center, which houses the Haaku Museum, is set to open May 27. The opening … Continue reading Acoma Sky City Center to open this month
Category: Preservation
Joliet may restore historic ice-cream store
The Chicago Tribune reports that the nearby Route 66 town of Joliet, Ill., is seeking a grant from the National Park Service to restore the Rich & Creamy ice-cream store on the 900 block of Broadway St. (City Manager John) Mezera said the site's design is typical of ice cream stores that dotted Route 66 … Continue reading Joliet may restore historic ice-cream store
Former Boots Motel owner returns
The Carthage Press has an interesting story about Bob Boots, who now lives in Tulsa, returning to his former Route 66 motel and hometown of Carthage, Mo., for the first time in years. Boots returned for the purpose of telling his memories for a Route 66 oral history project. Boots' father, Arthur Boots, built the … Continue reading Former Boots Motel owner returns
White House photo of Hampton Inns award is up
The White House's Web site now has photos and other material from the Preserve America Presidential Awards on Monday. Hampton Inns was one of the award winners for its work on Route 66 and other historical sites. Here is the White House's story. Here is the Webcast of the event. Here is a White House … Continue reading White House photo of Hampton Inns award is up
Hampton Inns wins Preserve America honor
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
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