The owner of the Roadrunner Lodger Motel in Tucumcari, New Mexico, this week began a project he's been wanting to do for seven years -- restore the neighboring and long-closed La Plaza Court. According to a story I wrote for the Quay County Sun, David Brenner and his now-former wife brought the Route 66 property … Continue reading Roadrunner Lodge Motel owner begins restoration on La Plaza Court in Tucumcari
Category: Preservation
Renovations of Route 66’s Sidewalk Highway in Oklahoma to begin in 2023
A long-awaited renovation of a 9-foot-wide, century-old section of Route 66 -- better known as the Sidewalk Highway -- in Ottawa County, Oklahoma, is slated to begin sometime in 2023. According to KSNF-TV, the project is in the planning stage: “What we got is a 1920 Federal Highway which is now a national trail, and … Continue reading Renovations of Route 66’s Sidewalk Highway in Oklahoma to begin in 2023
Official expresses misgivings about possible demolition of Gasconade River Bridge
An official with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation expressed concerns about the process of possibly tearing town the Gasconade River Bridge in Hazelgreen, Missouri, that the Route 66 Association of Missouri wants to preserve. In a Facebook post on Saturday, association President Rich Dinkela posted a July 28 letter from Jaime Loichinger, assistant director … Continue reading Official expresses misgivings about possible demolition of Gasconade River Bridge
Unpaid taxes, lack of repairs put Donnay Building in Oklahoma City in jeopardy
Unpaid property taxes and deferred maintenance are jeopardizing the historic Donnay Building in Oklahoma City, just three years after the complex was saved from the wrecking ball due to planned redevelopment. The Oklahoman newspaper has the details: Josh Thomas, the building’s owner who saved the property from destruction when he bought it in 2018, hasn’t … Continue reading Unpaid taxes, lack of repairs put Donnay Building in Oklahoma City in jeopardy
City of Albuquerque breaks ground on Imperial Inn redevelopment plan
The City of Albuquerque this week broke ground on a $7.6 million redevelopment project for the Imperial Inn Motel along Route 66. According to KRQE-TV in Albuquerque: The plans for the Imperial Inn on Central, just west of I-25, include 52 guest rooms and 16 residential suites, along with space for a dozen businesses including … Continue reading City of Albuquerque breaks ground on Imperial Inn redevelopment plan
Aztec Motel in Seligman likely to reopen as Airbnb, arts center by mid-August
The historic Aztec Motel in Seligman, Arizona, probably will reopen by mid-August after its new owners transform the renovated Route 66 property into an Airbnb site and arts center. Co-owner and operator Anna Marie Gonzales said in a telephone interview earlier this week she and her husband, Netherlands native Sebastiaan de Boorder, bought the property … Continue reading Aztec Motel in Seligman likely to reopen as Airbnb, arts center by mid-August
Monterey Motel in Albuquerque likely to reopen Aug. 4 after renovations
The historic Monterey Motel and its attached MOMO Lounge are expected to reopen Aug. 4 after extensive renovations and redesigns that bring the property back to its earlier roots, according to a local newspaper. The Paper in Albuquerque published many details about how Rupal Engineer of Design Plus LLC tackled the face-lift for the Route … Continue reading Monterey Motel in Albuquerque likely to reopen Aug. 4 after renovations
Century-old picnic table returned to Camp Cajon site
A 100-year-old concrete picnic table that once stood at Camp Cajon, a former Route 66 rest stop in Southern California, was returned to the site last month. According to an article in the San Bernardino County Sun, the table stood for 80 years at Lytle Creek Park in San Bernardino. It also had this history … Continue reading Century-old picnic table returned to Camp Cajon site
Big Boy locomotive will make several stops in Route 66 towns in Missouri, Oklahoma
The legendary Big Boy No. 4014 steam locomotive owned by the Union Pacific Railroad will make stops in several Route 66 towns in Oklahoma and Missouri in August during its 2021 tour. The Big Boy will make scheduled stops at these Mother Road cities: Aug. 12, Vinita, Oklahoma, at East Flint Avenue crossing; 9:45 a.m. … Continue reading Big Boy locomotive will make several stops in Route 66 towns in Missouri, Oklahoma
City of Santa Fe to repair historic railroad depot
After more than a decade of tentative plans, the City of Santa Fe, New Mexico, recently agreed to spend $1 million to rehabilitate its long-decaying railroad depot in the Railyard. According to an article in the Santa Fe New Mexican newspaper, the city had been discussing a face-lift for the century-old depot since 2009. And … Continue reading City of Santa Fe to repair historic railroad depot