This refers to the old railroad bridge the spanned old Illinois 157 in Edwardsville, which is an alignment of Route 66. The Belleville News-Democrat reports that the dismantling process of the bridge already has begun. I don't know whether the road crews are finished, but it sure sounds like it: On Tuesday, crews were hauling … Continue reading Railroad bridge already is being torn down
Category: Preservation
American Inn Motel in Albuquerque condemned
I was watching the video online of the Albuquerque City Council's meeting of Jan. 18, searching for any mentions of the introduction of the Landmarks Commission's recommendation to designate El Vado Motel a city landmark. Since it was just an introduction, councilors didn't discuss it and won't until at least their Feb. 6 meeting. But … Continue reading American Inn Motel in Albuquerque condemned
El Vado Motel owner’s appeal is a big zero
Baseless. That was the conclusion I reached after reading a copy of the formal appeal filed by new El Vado Motel owner Richard Gonzales. He's protesting the Albuquerque Landmarks Commission's recommendation to designate El Vado at city landmark. I'll address Gonzales' complaints one by one briefly: That El Vado is not economically and socially viable. … Continue reading El Vado Motel owner’s appeal is a big zero
Atlanta, Ill., isn’t resting on its laurels
In another story today from the Bloomington Pantagraph, the Route 66 town of Atlanta, Ill. -- already a swell little place to visit -- is seeking more ways to preserve the town's past, including forming a historic preservation commission. "We want to figure out how we can do more for Route 66," said local businessman … Continue reading Atlanta, Ill., isn’t resting on its laurels
Newspaper reports El Vado being up for sale
The Albuquerque Tribune is reporting what we reported Saturday -- that El Vado Motel on Route 66 in the Duke City is sale by new owner Richard L. Gonzales for $3.25 million. A few things in the article stick out: Last month, the city Landmarks and Urban Conservation Commission voted to recommend that the City … Continue reading Newspaper reports El Vado being up for sale
Man wants to save Edwardsville railroad bridge
It may be too late to do anything about it, but John Fritsche wishes to preserve a railroad bridge over Route 66 in Edwardsville. The Intelligencer newspaper has the story. Part of the problem is the bridge will make way in the next 30 days or so for improvements to Illinois Highway 157, which is … Continue reading Man wants to save Edwardsville railroad bridge
El Vado owner appeals landmarks recommendation
I got an e-mail from the City of Albuquerque this afternoon informing me that El Vado Motel's new owner, Richard L. Gonzales, has appealed the Landmarks Commission's recommendation to make El Vado a city landmark. The appeal will be introduced Feb. 6, the same day the city council was to decide the landmark issue. A … Continue reading El Vado owner appeals landmarks recommendation
Blogger decries El Vado owner’s greed
Jon Knudsen of Albloggerque, a blog site based in the Nob Hill neighborhood of Albuquerque, says El Vado Motel being put up for sale for $3.25 million is "sad lesson in greed." It sure seems like the owner is not only asking the city to bail him out of an idea that wouldn't fly with … Continue reading Blogger decries El Vado owner’s greed
Big day in Chandler
A bunch of local dignitaries showed up in Chandler, Okla., on Saturday for the "Arms Around the Armory" ceremonies, including state politicians, philanthropists and city officials. But the day's big stars were an enormous stone building and the most famous highway in the world, Route 66. The first photo was from the groundbreaking ceremony for … Continue reading Big day in Chandler
“Disgusting” El Vado for sale for $3.25 million
Owner Richard Gonzales testifed under oath during Landmarks Commission hearings that El Vado Motel on Albuquerque's Route 66 was "disgusting" and "not viable." But I got word today from an Albuquerque source that I trust implicitly that Gonzales has put the "disgusting" and "not viable" El Vado up for sale with an asking price of … Continue reading “Disgusting” El Vado for sale for $3.25 million