A few folks in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, hope the upcoming HGVT show "Home Town Takeover" will consider their town for a full-scale renovation, and other Route 66 towns may consider applying, as well. According to a news release from the cable channel, the show will be "the most impressive and massive renovation ever": Ever since Ben and … Continue reading At least one Route 66 town wants to be in HGTV’s “Home Town Takeover”
Category: Preservation
Paleontologist collects trash from old Route 66 at Petrified Forest National Park
Old bottles of 76 and Kist soda and a Crescent Creamery bottle found along old Route 66 in the Petrified Forest National Park. (NPS) KJZZ-FM radio, a public station based in Phoenix, recently conducted a fascinating interview with a paleontologist at the Petrified Forest National Park in eastern Arizona. William Parker, the paleontologist, collects trash … Continue reading Paleontologist collects trash from old Route 66 at Petrified Forest National Park
Old Joliet Prison to host 40th-anniversary party for “Blues Brothers” movie
The Old Joliet Prison, now converted into a tourism site, in Joliet, Illinois, will host a big bash in August to mark the 40th anniversary of "The Blues Brothers" movie, part of which was originally filmed there. The Herald-News, based in Joliet, reported the celebration will be a two-day event. Final dates aren't 100% set, … Continue reading Old Joliet Prison to host 40th-anniversary party for “Blues Brothers” movie
Route 66 Historical Trail bill won’t be reintroduced until after Supreme Court case
A lawsuit awaiting a decision in front of the U.S. Supreme Court is delaying the reintroduction of a bill that would designate Route 66 as a National Historic Trail, according to a newsletter sent Thursday from the Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership's chairman. Bill Thomas, partnership chairman, stated the Supreme Court probably won't rule on … Continue reading Route 66 Historical Trail bill won’t be reintroduced until after Supreme Court case
Tucumcari reconsiders, advances landmark sign ordinance proposal
After prodding by officers from the New Mexico Route 66 Association, the Tucumcari City Commission last week passed a first reading of a proposed landmark ordinance for the town's historic Route 66 neon signs. However, final passage by the commission likely faces an uphill battle because of concerns about the ordinance infringing on property rights. … Continue reading Tucumcari reconsiders, advances landmark sign ordinance proposal
Will crowdfunding help revitalize vintage Route 66 hotel in Albuquerque?
The folks who seek to revitalize The Hotel Blue just west of downtown Albuquerque are using a novel source in the effort -- crowdfunding. Los Angeles-based ARRIVE Hotels & Restaurants announced plans in August to redevelop The Hotel Blue at 717 Central Ave. (aka Route 66) and rebrand it as ARRIVE Albuquerque. The Albuquerque Journal … Continue reading Will crowdfunding help revitalize vintage Route 66 hotel in Albuquerque?
Gasconade River Bridge Guardian meets with the lieutenant governor
A member of the Route 66 Gasconade River Bridge Guardians met Thursday with Missouri Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe in an effort to buy more time for the endangered bridge near Hazelgreen. "Roamin'" Rich Dinkela, president of the Route 66 Association of Missouri, said in an online video later that day he didn't get a definitive … Continue reading Gasconade River Bridge Guardian meets with the lieutenant governor
Neon sign relighted at De Anza Motor Lodge in Albuquerque
The historic and restored neon sign for De Anza Motor Lodge in Albuquerque was relighted during a ceremony Sunday evening. Here's a countdown video of the relighting from the motel's Facebook page: Here are more images Sunday evening from the New Mexico Route 66 Association: A few days ago, the Albuquerque Journal published a story … Continue reading Neon sign relighted at De Anza Motor Lodge in Albuquerque
Gearhead Curios in Galena wants your old license plates
The folks who are renovating an old Texaco station in Galena, Kansas, into Gearhead Curios are asking for old license plates to help cover the ceiling of their shop. The shop put out this message on Facebook a few days ago: In case you missed the initial news about a year ago, Aaron Perry, a … Continue reading Gearhead Curios in Galena wants your old license plates
Rockwood Motor Court in Springfield reopens to overnight travelers
The historic Rockwood Motor Court has reopened to overnight travelers along old Route 66 in Springfield, Missouri. Ozarks Alive has the story: The project is the work of Phyllis Ferguson, a longtime Springfield resident whose mission is revitalization — and not only in form of the motor court, which in part dates to 1929, just … Continue reading Rockwood Motor Court in Springfield reopens to overnight travelers