After more than two years of inactivity, at least part of the project to restore the historic El Garces Hotel in Needles, Calif., finally will commence again, reported a recent story in the Needles Desert Star. The holdup in the project was getting a ruling on whether a joint development agreement to allow for a transfer of … Continue reading Part of El Garces project to move forward
Category: Railroad
Sounds like they’re warming to it
A story in the Contra Costa Times about the nearly finished Pacific Electric Trail bridge over Foothill Boulevard (aka Route 66) in Rancho Cucamonga says residents are "mixed" about its look. But the trail and the bridge are so darned good, it seems like they're getting over their misgivings. Rancho Cucamonga resident Holly Hostetler, who walks … Continue reading Sounds like they’re warming to it
Victorville on verge of landing a bullet train to Vegas
The Route 66 town of Victorville, Calif., is close to landing a $4.9 billion federal loan that would build a 150 mph bullet train line from there to Las Vegas, according to The Daily Mail and other news outlets. The newspaper said about the DesertXpress propoal: The vast park-and-ride project hinged on the untested idea … Continue reading Victorville on verge of landing a bullet train to Vegas
Grant sought for Route 66 Village in Tulsa
The City of Tulsa has applied for a $949,000 grant form the National Scenic Byways program to build an interpretive center, restrooms, and sidewalks at the Route 66 Transportation Village in southwest Tulsa, reported the current print edition of the Tulsa County News. The newspaper said it should be known by summer of fall whether … Continue reading Grant sought for Route 66 Village in Tulsa
Replica trolley soon will run on Amarillo’s Sixth Street
A replica of an early 1900s San Francisco trolley soon will be motoring down the Sixth Street district, aka Route 66, of Amarillo, Texas, reported the Amarillo Globe-News. Ken and Milisa Spencer, who own Parties & Events, two antique stores in the district and a soon-to-open old-time soda shop, plan to drive a 1991 Chance … Continue reading Replica trolley soon will run on Amarillo’s Sixth Street
Wilmington tries to save historic City Hall building
The Route 66 town of Wilmington, Ill., may try to save its historic City Hall building by using the bones of an even older landmark that was demolished last month, reports The Free Press Newspapers. The town's 1869 railroad depot was razed in early February. However, not all of the structure's remains weren't hauled to … Continue reading Wilmington tries to save historic City Hall building
Ostrich farm led to a stretch of Route 66
A small section of Sunset Boulevard (aka Route 66) in the Echo Park neighborhood in Los Angeles is lined with sandstone bluffs. That "cut" dates to an 1887 railroad line to an ostrich farm. No kidding. This video explains: https://youtu.be/szlrNfuRVb0 If you'd like to explore it yourself, here's a Google Map of the location. The … Continue reading Ostrich farm led to a stretch of Route 66
Route 66 Station wants fees waived
A Tulsa city councilor is seeking a permanent waiver on inspection and permit fees regarding projects at the Route 66 Station Village in west Tulsa, reported the Tulsa World. The councilor, Jeannie Cue, is leading the effort: "This project, which is for the city, is the work of a lot of volunteers who have donated … Continue reading Route 66 Station wants fees waived
Queen of the Southwest
KBAQ radio in Phoenix has been broadcasting a series titled "Hearing the Century: Voices of Arizona's Arts Past and Present" during the state's centennial. A recent broadcast focused on early 20th-century architect Mary Colter, widely recognized as one of the greatest of the Southwest. A longtime architect and designer for the Fred Harvey Company, Colter's … Continue reading Queen of the Southwest
State may provide grant for Santa Rosa warehouse
The New Mexico Legislature was set to give $325,000 to help revitalize the historic Ilfeld Warehouse in downtown Santa Rosa and create a Route 66 museum there, according to the town's newspaper. The Guadalupe County Communicator, in its print edition, reported that the legislation would "set aside the funds toward creation of a Route 66 … Continue reading State may provide grant for Santa Rosa warehouse