The neon in the iconic Roy's Motel and Cafe sign in Amboy, California, will glow again in mid-November, according to a roadie who contacted the complex's manager. Frank Gifford posted the news on the route66 yahoogroup a few days ago: According to a phone conversation with Roy's manager Manny Lopez, the sign will be re-lit … Continue reading Roy’s neon sign in Amboy should be relighted in mid-November
Category: Preservation
New Mexico Route 66 Association wades into, then retreats from sign-preservation issue
The New Mexico Route 66 Association on Sept. 5 posted a statement about the thorny issue of historic neon signs disappearing along the highway, particularly in New Mexico, then deleted the post days later. The post, which I'd monitored to read the responses, generated more than 150 comments at last count and plenty of dissatisfaction … Continue reading New Mexico Route 66 Association wades into, then retreats from sign-preservation issue
Restored Pecos Theatre reopens in Santa Rosa
The years-long restoration of the Pecos Theatre in downtown Santa Rosa, New Mexico, culminated with its gala reopening Saturday. Visit Santa Rosa New Mexico posted the relighting of the marquee and other images from Saturday night: As you can see from this performance, the revitalized Pecos is being used as a performance venue as well … Continue reading Restored Pecos Theatre reopens in Santa Rosa
First neon sign restored with Tulsa Route 66 grant program
The Billy Ray's BBQ and Catfish neon sign glowed again for the first time in years Wednesday evening after city officials threw the switch. The restaurant's sign was the first to complete the city's neon-sign grant program. Here's a video from the scene by KTUL-TV: According to Public Radio Tulsa, the Billy Ray's sign had … Continue reading First neon sign restored with Tulsa Route 66 grant program
Route 66 auto museum planned for former Monrovia Market building
The Development Review Committee of the city of Monrovia, California, last week approved a proposal to reuse the former Monrovia Market building as a Route 66 automotive museum and special event center. Artist's rendering of adapted Monrovia Market building. The proposal advances to the city's Planning Commission on Sept. 11. The building is at 525 … Continue reading Route 66 auto museum planned for former Monrovia Market building
Bottle Tree Ranch reopens full-time after the death of its creator
The landmark Bottle Tree Ranch along Route 66 near Oro Grande, California, reopened Saturday after being closed following the death of its creator, Elmer Long, in July. Delvin Harbour, a longtime Route 66 enthusiast in California, posted this on Facebook on Saturday: Long, 72, died June 22 after a bout with lung cancer. The Bottle … Continue reading Bottle Tree Ranch reopens full-time after the death of its creator
Owners of Painted Desert Trading Post close access until mid-October
The owners of the long-closed Painted Desert Trading Post in eastern Arizona temporarily have closed access to the historic Route 66 site because the locks and chain the entrance gates recently were removed. Jim Ross, one of the members of the Route 66 Co-op that purchased the property last year, wrote Friday on Facebook: I … Continue reading Owners of Painted Desert Trading Post close access until mid-October
Club Cafe signs removed from Santa Rosa
The two remaining neon signs for the long-closed Club Cafe in Santa Rosa, New Mexico, were removed Friday, according to several folks on social media who snapped photos of the dismantling. Daniel Chavez wrote on Facebook on Friday afternoon: So long Club Café neon signs. I’m sure you were a welcoming sight for many travelers … Continue reading Club Cafe signs removed from Santa Rosa
A closer look at the Route 66 Motorheads Bar, Grill and Museum in Springfield
WSEC-TV, a PBS affiliate in Springfield, Illinois, recently posted a video tour of Route 66 Motorheads Bar, Grill and Museum in Springfield and talked with its enthusiastic owner, Ron Metzger. As you'll see from the 27-minute video, Metzger has collected all sorts of memorabilia from defunct Route 66 landmarks such as Shea's Gas Station Museum, … Continue reading A closer look at the Route 66 Motorheads Bar, Grill and Museum in Springfield
Former Black Officers Club, a mural at Fort Leonard Wood are restored
A building that served as the Black Officers' Club at Fort Leonard Wood in mid-Missouri recently was restored and renamed after Staff Sgt. Samuel Countee, who painted the building’s mural during the mid-1940s. From left, Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's Katharine Kerr; Sammie Whiting Ellis, Staff. Sgt. Countee's niece; and Robert G. Stanton stand in … Continue reading Former Black Officers Club, a mural at Fort Leonard Wood are restored