Connie Echols, owner of the historic Wagon Wheel Motel in Cuba, Missouri, announced in a news release today that she is putting the Route 66 landmark on the market. Echols, who renovated the property extensively after buying it in 2009, stated is selling the motel and plans to retire. "As authentic Route 66 motels are … Continue reading Owner puts historic Wagon Wheel Motel in Cuba up for sale
Category: Preservation
Caretaker creating new additions to Elmer Long’s Bottle Tree Ranch
Not only is someone looking after Elmer Long's Bottle Tree Ranch near Oro Grande, California, but he is adding to it three years after the creator's death. According to ABC10 in Los Angeles, Brian McKinsey now serves as caretaker of the Route 66 landmark. The story contains this encouraging excerpt: McKinsey says it’s not uncommon … Continue reading Caretaker creating new additions to Elmer Long’s Bottle Tree Ranch
Original Clifton’s building in downtown Los Angeles sold for $8.6 million
A local real estate investment firm recently purchased the original Clifton's Cafeteria building in downtown Los Angeles for $8.6 million. CoStar News reports the Robhana Group made the deal with previous owner Andrew Meieran, who bought the property for $3.6 million in 2011 and conducted millions more in renovations. Meieran said Clifton's signed a long-term … Continue reading Original Clifton’s building in downtown Los Angeles sold for $8.6 million
Oklahoma City alderman seeks more protections for historic properties, including Gold Dome
An Oklahoma City councilman said he wants to identify and protect historic structures, including the Gold Dome on Route 66, after a landmark church was abruptly demolished last week. The distinctive, egg-shaped First Christian Church was torn down less than an hour after it was given a demolition permit, surprising many that included those who … Continue reading Oklahoma City alderman seeks more protections for historic properties, including Gold Dome
Groundbreaking set for Oct. 29 for improvements to Old Chain of Rocks Bridge site
The Great Rivers Greenway will hold a groundbreaking celebration at the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge in St. Louis from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Oct. 29 for improvements to the west side of the site. The Route 66 Association of Missouri several days ago emailed its members, informing them about the event at 10840 … Continue reading Groundbreaking set for Oct. 29 for improvements to Old Chain of Rocks Bridge site
Boots Court motel added to National Register of Historic Places
The Boots Court motel, a landmark along Route 66 in Carthage, Missouri, recently was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The designation was confirmed by a weekly email Friday from the National Park Service, which runs the program. According to the email, the Boots Court officially was listed on the National Register on … Continue reading Boots Court motel added to National Register of Historic Places
State Historical Society of Missouri seeks memorabilia for Route 66’s centennial
Though the start of Route 66's centennial is still more than three years away, the State Historical Society of Missouri has put out an appeal to the public for items to celebrate that event. The society stated in a news release it launched the initiative "focused on preserving the road’s history within the state." Examples … Continue reading State Historical Society of Missouri seeks memorabilia for Route 66’s centennial
Scenes from the Blue Whale of Catoosa’s 50th-anniversary celebration
A bunch of Route 66 aficionados have posted photographs from Saturday's 50th-anniversary party of the landmark Blue Whale in Catoosa, Oklahoma. The event included appearances by "Route 66: The Mother Road" author Michael Wallis, Dean "Crazy Legs" Walker, Ron "Tattoo Man" Jones and Blue Whale park director Liz Huckleby, to name a few. KTUL-TV in … Continue reading Scenes from the Blue Whale of Catoosa’s 50th-anniversary celebration
LA’s Cultural Heritage Commission to hold a hearing Oct. 8 on endangered Eagle Rock station
The Los Angeles Cultural Heritage Commission is scheduled to hold a hearing at 10 a.m. Oct. 8 to consider a landmark status application for the endangered, century-old Standard gas station in the Eagle Rock neighborhood. Esotouric initially flagged several weeks ago the demolition permit application for the 1919 metal station at 1659 W. Colorado Blvd. … Continue reading LA’s Cultural Heritage Commission to hold a hearing Oct. 8 on endangered Eagle Rock station
Owners of historic Skirvin Hilton hotel in Oklahoma City preparing to put it on market
The owners of the landmark Skirvin HIlton hotel in downtown Oklahoma City are preparing to put it up for sale, with half of the proceeds likely going back to the city. Marcus Hotels and Resorts joined forces with the city to renovate and reopen the closed, century-old hotel about 15 years ago. Steve Lackmeyer at … Continue reading Owners of historic Skirvin Hilton hotel in Oklahoma City preparing to put it on market