The Route 66 Association of Missouri has launched a fundraiser to help restore the neon sign for the former Red Cedar Inn restaurant. The city of Pacific, Missouri, eventually will convert the Route 66 landmark into a history and visitors center. Association President Rich Dinkela launched a Facebook Pay campaign for the neon sign restoration. … Continue reading Route 66 Association of Missouri raising money to restore Red Cedar Inn sign
Category: Preservation
Classen Inn in Oklahoma City reopens with a colorful, restorative makeover
The Classen Inn in Oklahoma City reopened three weeks ago after undergoing a $2 million face-lift that accentuates its Googie design and early 1960s roots. The 17-room motel sits at 820 N. Classen Blvd. (map here), about a mile south of the 1926-1930 alignment of Route 66 on Classen. According to The Oklahoman newspaper, owners … Continue reading Classen Inn in Oklahoma City reopens with a colorful, restorative makeover
Annual bloom of endangered Pecos sunflowers in Santa Rosa is happening now
The annual bloom of endangered Pecos sunflowers in a nature preserve just off old Route 66 in Santa Rosa, New Mexico, is occurring now and should continue for the next 10 days or so. The sunflowers congregate along desert wetlands. The ones in Santa Rosa are fed by the overflow waters of the nearby Blue … Continue reading Annual bloom of endangered Pecos sunflowers in Santa Rosa is happening now
Pasadena restaurant’s makeover reveals a vintage facade and neon
A restaurant renovating a building along an alignment of Route 66 in Pasadena, California, found a long-forgotten facade. The restaurant plans to preserve it and has "some cool plans in the works." Howlin' Ray's, which serves Nashville hot chicken, was doing a face-lift on the building at 800 Arroyo Parkway (aka Route 66) when it … Continue reading Pasadena restaurant’s makeover reveals a vintage facade and neon
Whispering Winds Motor Hotel in Flagstaff undergoing renovations with new owner
The Whispering Winds Motor Hotel along Route 66 in Flagstaff, Arizona, is undergoing a full renovation, including its sign. Ascend Capital Management of Flagstaff purchased the property at 922 E. Route 66 for a little less than $1 million in June, reported Flagstaff Business News. The newspaper talked to Ascend sales and marketing director Jose … Continue reading Whispering Winds Motor Hotel in Flagstaff undergoing renovations with new owner
El Pueblo Motor Inn in Flagstaff soon may undergo restoration, renovations
The owner of the historic El Pueblo Motor Inn in Flagstaff, Arizona, said he wants to restore the property and add space to each room. Peter Corbett of On the Road Arizona reported: The renovation project would redesign and enlarge guest rooms, adding modern bathrooms and patios. The inn had been operating as a single-room occupancy rental … Continue reading El Pueblo Motor Inn in Flagstaff soon may undergo restoration, renovations
Murals in Cuba undergo a new preservation process
The city of Cuba, Missouri, is taking steps to protect its popular murals "for years to come" almost two decades after the first one was created. According to the Viva Cuba website, the city is using an Impact100 grant for the project: Involved since the inception, artist Shelly Smith Steiger is at it again. This … Continue reading Murals in Cuba undergo a new preservation process
America’s Value Inn in Tulsa will be converted into a sobriety center
The moribund and fire-damaged America's Value Inn, formerly the Saratoga Motor Hotel, in east Tulsa eventually will be transformed into a sobriety center. KTUL-TV in Tulsa reported that Dixie Pebworth of Wings of Freedom acquired the property: Pebworth founded Wings of Freedom in the early 2000s. Since then, the faith-based organization has helped thousands of … Continue reading America’s Value Inn in Tulsa will be converted into a sobriety center
Doc Hudson replica from ‘Cars’ movie unveiled at Gearhead Curios in Galena
A replica of the Doc Hudson character from the 2006 Disney-Pixar animated film "Cars" was unveiled Saturday at Gearhead Curios in Galena, Kansas. A local television station talked to Aaron Perry, proprietor of the shop that's housed in a former Texaco gas station: He thought Galena would be the perfect place to start Gearhead Curios … Continue reading Doc Hudson replica from ‘Cars’ movie unveiled at Gearhead Curios in Galena
Launching Pad Drive-In will remain closed until spring due to COVID-19 pandemic
The owners of the revived Launching Pad Drive-In in Wilmington, Illinois, said they would keep their Route 66 restaurant closed until spring "to protect our family, employees and patrons" from COVID-19. Tully Garrett and Holly Barker made the announcement Friday on Instagram and other social media. It stated, in part: We have carefully watched this … Continue reading Launching Pad Drive-In will remain closed until spring due to COVID-19 pandemic