A century-old coal-mining shovel that served as a much-smaller predecessor of the Big Brutus shovel was dedicated Saturday at the Big Brutus Visitors Center in West Mineral, Kansas. According to an Associated Press article, Perry Markley designed and built by hand the smaller shovel in the early 1900s using junkyard parts. The machine was one … Continue reading Markley Shovel, a predecessor to Big Brutus, is dedicated
Category: Preservation
Big jackrabbit restored at Jack Rabbit Trading Post
The big jackrabbit at the Jack Rabbit Trading Post near Joseph City, Arizona, recently was reinstalled after about a one-week restoration effort. Here's a "before" photo of the fiberglass giant: And here's an "after" image of the giant animal: Co-owner Cindy Jaquez said the 34-year-old jackrabbit needed a new coat of paint and badly needed … Continue reading Big jackrabbit restored at Jack Rabbit Trading Post
Restoration complete on Muffler Man lumberjack in Albuquerque
Restoration on a Muffler Man lumberjack on the premises of a Vietnamese restaurant in Albuquerque finished a few days ago, including the statue's severed arms and his ax. Repair work on the fiberglass statue at the May Cafe at Central Avenue (aka Route 66) and Louisiana Boulevard began a couple of weeks ago. Strong winds … Continue reading Restoration complete on Muffler Man lumberjack in Albuquerque
Gasconade River Bridge Guardians issue “urgent call to action”
The Route 66 Gasconade River Bridge Guardians issued an "urgent call to action" because the historic bridge near Hazelgreen, Missouri, is in "imminent danger" of demolition if a new owner isn't found by spring. Here's the message this week on the group's Facebook page that urges letters from Route 66 enthusiasts, urging the Missouri Department … Continue reading Gasconade River Bridge Guardians issue “urgent call to action”
Sign at Fender’s River Road Resort shines again
The historic neon sign at Fender's River Road Resort in Needles, California, shined again Saturday evening during a relighting ceremony. Here's a short video posted on Facebook by the good folks from Route 66 Navigation: Jim Hinckley also hosted an hour-long Facebook Live session before the sign was fired up. Colorado photographer and videographer KC … Continue reading Sign at Fender’s River Road Resort shines again
Office of La Fonda Hotel architect added to National Register
The office of John Gaw Meem, architect of the expansion and remodeling of the famed La Fonda Hotel in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and a key figure in the popularization of the Pueblo Revival style, was designated on the National Register of Historic Places. The John Gaw Meem Architects Office at 1101 Camino De Cruz … Continue reading Office of La Fonda Hotel architect added to National Register
Restoration of Gemini Giant completed
The restoration of the Gemini Giant, the famous fiberglass mascot of the Launching Pad Drive-In restaurant in Wilmington, Illinois, was finished a few days ago. Here is a before-and-after photo the restaurant posted on Facebook: Tully Garrett and Holly Barker stated Sunday on the restaurant's Facebook page: Success! The Gemini Giant’s paint is finally complete! His … Continue reading Restoration of Gemini Giant completed
Jackrabbit at Jack Rabbit Trading Post being restored
No, that is not a ghost rabbit at the Jack Rabbit Trading Post near Joseph City, Arizona. It's the famed fiberglass statue undergoing a makeover with a new undercoat before it's repaired and repainted. The big, saddled jackrabbit is "out of commission" to visitors until the end of this week while its owners restore it. … Continue reading Jackrabbit at Jack Rabbit Trading Post being restored
Monterey Motel in Albuquerque to be restored
It was speculated this would happen, and now it's confirmed: The same development group that revamped El Vado Motel in Albuquerque will restore the nearby Monterey Motel, once known as the Monterey Non-Smokers Motel. KOB-TV got the scoop. Chad Rennaker of Palindrome Communities told the station the Monterey restoration project would begin late this year. … Continue reading Monterey Motel in Albuquerque to be restored
Restored Fender’s River Road Resort sign likely will shine again June 8
The organizer of a campaign to restore the historic neon sign at Fender's River Road Resort in Needles, California, said the sign likely will shine again the evening of June 8. KC Keefer, who led the crowdsourcing campaign to restore the sign, made the announcement on a Facebook post Thursday: In exactly one week we … Continue reading Restored Fender’s River Road Resort sign likely will shine again June 8