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

Third phase completed to shore up Painted Desert Trading Post

The third phase to stabilize the remains of the long-closed Painted Desert Trading Post in eastern Arizona ended Tuesday after volunteers spent six days on the site. Here's what was accomplished during the nearly week-long project: Dug out and removed shattered or deteriorating concrete stem walls;Built interior walls and frames to support the exterior walls … Continue reading Third phase completed to shore up Painted Desert Trading Post

The Mill to mark 90th anniversary during new festival

The Mill in Lincoln, Illinois, will mark its 90th anniversary with a variety of activities June 7-9 during the first annual Route 66 Weekend in that city. The Mill, which opened as a restaurant along Route 66 in 1929, is beginning its third year as a museum highlighting the Mother Road and local history. The … Continue reading The Mill to mark 90th anniversary during new festival

Muffler Man in Albuquerque to be restored

It must be a good year for Muffler Men along Route 66. A second will be restored in a matter of weeks, right after a souvenir shop in Tulsa erected a new one. The Muffler Man that stands high above Route 66 on the east side of Albuquerque will be restored in the next two … Continue reading Muffler Man in Albuquerque to be restored

Will the Wishing Well Motor Inn’s sign be saved?

The closed Wishing Well Motor Inn in Springfield, Missouri, is slated to be demolished because it's no longer habitable and has become a nuisance. But the president of the Route 66 Association of Missouri hopes the motel's sign can be salvaged and restored. The motel at 3550 W. Chestnut Expressway (aka Route 66) was owned … Continue reading Will the Wishing Well Motor Inn’s sign be saved?

Mel’s Drive-In earns Santa Monica preservation award

The Mel's Drive-In restaurant that opened a year ago at the true western ending of Route 66 earned a historic preservation award from the Santa Monica Conservancy. The conservancy stated in a news release Sunday: The 1959 Armet and Davis-designed Penguin Coffee Shop was restored to its original use by Mel’s Drive-In owner Steven Weiss, … Continue reading Mel’s Drive-In earns Santa Monica preservation award

Report: $10M needed to stabilize portions of old Joliet prison

The historic Joliet Correctional Center in Joliet, Illinois, will need at least $10 million worth of repairs in the next five years to stabilize six key structures within the long-closed complex. The Klein & Hoffman architectural and structural engineering firm gave the estimates to shore up the prison's administration building, east and west cell blocks, … Continue reading Report: $10M needed to stabilize portions of old Joliet prison

Classical Gas Museum owner makes new pitch for Route 66 museum in Santa Rosa

Johnnie Meier, owner of the Classical Gas Museum and a longtime Route 66 advocate, presented a new set of ideas for establishing a Route 66 museum in Santa Rosa, New Mexico. According to the May 16 print edition of The Communicator newspaper in Santa Rosa, the city recently took control of the refurbished and century-old … Continue reading Classical Gas Museum owner makes new pitch for Route 66 museum in Santa Rosa