The Gallup (N.M.) Independent has a interview with 92-year-old Mary T. Montoya, who became a Harvey Girl at one of Gallup's Harvey Houses beginning in the 1930s. Here's the interesting part: The nationwide decline of rail travel led to the decline of the Harvey Houses, including Gallup’s. According to his recently published book “Fred Harvey … Continue reading Interview with a Harvey Girl
Category: Railroad
Ride that train
Here's honeymooning David Carnall again, riding the Grand Canyon Railway and spending a little Route 66 time in Williams, Ariz.
Book review: “Route 66 Railway”
To my knowledge, a book had never explored the relationship between the railroad and historic Route 66. That's no longer the case with the publication of Elrond Lawrence's "Route 66 Railway" (Los Angeles Railroad Heritage Foundation, 176 pages, $49.50). Subtitled "The Story of the Route 66 and the Santa Fe Railway in the American Southwest," … Continue reading Book review: “Route 66 Railway”
Miniature of famed Ash Fork Harvey House to be unveiled
On Saturday, the Ash Fork Historical Society of Ash Fork, Ariz., will show off a detailed model of the town's former Harvey House, the Hotel Escalante, reports the Prescott Daily Courier. Historical society volunteers Wayne and Nancy Ulrich spent more than 1,100 hours over seven months creating the 8-foot by 9-foot model of the Escalante, … Continue reading Miniature of famed Ash Fork Harvey House to be unveiled
Couple offers land for Braidwood depot
The City Council of Braidwood, Ill., is nearly set on buying a lot at 111 N. Center St. on which to move the town's historic railroad depot. However, according to the Braidwood Journal, Bob and Nancy Scamen are offering a piece of land that might be a tad more enticing: "My husband and I own … Continue reading Couple offers land for Braidwood depot
Braidwood depot will be moved
The 126-year-old railroad depot on Route 66 and Illinois 113 in Braidwood, Ill., has been donated to the city by its owners. A nearby nuclear plant also gave $30,000 to the city to help defray the costs of moving the depot to Center and Main streets, reports the Joliet Herald-News. While the depot anchors the … Continue reading Braidwood depot will be moved
Trainspotting at La Posada
Railroad buff Karl Zimmermann of the Los Angeles Times has written an excellent story about La Posada in Winslow, Ariz., along with the attached Turquoise Room restaurant. The article makes you want to jump in the car and stay for a weekend there.
“Route 66 Railway” book is out
Railroad buff Elrond Lawrence long-gestating book about Route 66 and its historical relationship with Santa Fe/BNSF, "Route 66 Railway" (176 pages, $49.50, Los Angeles Historical Railroad Foundation) is now being shipped. An article in the Salinas Californian, Lawrence tells about how and why the book came about: "My goal was to recall the days when … Continue reading “Route 66 Railway” book is out
Braidwood to move historic depot
The City of Braidwood, Ill., has purchased a lot across from City Hall, where it will remove a historic railroad depot that dates to 1867, reports the Joliet Herald News. The owner of Berkot's Foods give the city the building with the stipulation that it be moved. The grocer needs the property cleared for more … Continue reading Braidwood to move historic depot
‘Mural City’ adds another decoration to its walls
The Route 66 town of Cuba, Mo., is known as Mural City because of its many murals that pay tribute to the people and events of its past. It's not exactly a mural, but a sculpture at Route 66 and Missouri Highway 19 creates much of the same effect. It's a 15-foot-long, 320-pound sculpture, created … Continue reading ‘Mural City’ adds another decoration to its walls