Workers plan to finish a multiyear restoration of the historic Castaneda Hotel in Las Vegas, New Mexico, by spring and fully reopen it by June 21, according to a video posted Tuesday on the hotel's blog. The hotel hopes to have the south wing ready for overnight occupancy by March and will take reservations for … Continue reading Castaneda Hotel plans to fully reopen by June 21
Category: Railroad
Carthage sues railroad over crossings, including Whee Bridge
The city of Carthage, Missouri, is suing the Union Pacific Railroad for failing to keep up crossings and bridges in the city, including the fabled Whee Bridge along Route 66. According to the Joplin Globe: The suit, filed in federal court, cites 17 crossings, including the Oak Street bridge along Route 66. The city is … Continue reading Carthage sues railroad over crossings, including Whee Bridge
Replica of Hotel Castaneda sign unveiled
Hotel Castaneda in Las Vegas, New Mexico, on Sunday unveiled a new replica of a sign that graced the historic hotel's main tower for decades. The 1898 hotel hasn't reopened yet, but the big moment Sunday serves as a major sign of the imminent revival of the former Harvey House. Hotel Castaneda probably will reopen … Continue reading Replica of Hotel Castaneda sign unveiled
Restoration of Underpass Cafe near Phillipsburg accelerates
A volunteer work crew from the Lebanon-Laclede County Route 66 Society helped the owner of the long-closed Underpass Cafe near Phillipsburg, Missouri, clean his property before it undergoes an exterior restoration. The cafe -- named because of a low-clearance Frisco railroad bridge to the east -- closed about 50 years ago after a new alignment … Continue reading Restoration of Underpass Cafe near Phillipsburg accelerates
Restoration of old Santa Fe locomotive hits milestone
For the first time in more than a half-century, the boilers were fired up on the Santa Fe 2926 steam locomotive in Albuquerque -- a major milestone for a group of railroad buffs that have worked to restore the train for about 15 years. The Albuquerque Journal was there Wednesday when the New Mexico Steam Locomotive … Continue reading Restoration of old Santa Fe locomotive hits milestone
Affeldt acquires historic saloon near Santa Fe
Allan Affeldt, the savior of La Posada hotel in Winslow, Arizona, who is restoring the Castaneda Hotel in Las Vegas, New Mexico, recently acquired another historic property south of Santa Fe, New Mexico. According to the Santa Fe New Mexican, Affeldt now owns the Legal Tender restaurant and saloon in the village of Lamy, New … Continue reading Affeldt acquires historic saloon near Santa Fe
Amtrak may end service in northern New Mexico
Amtrak may end service of its fabled Southwest Chief train from Dodge City, Kansas, to Albuquerque -- affecting a slew of towns in northern New Mexico. Instead, the 450-mile gap in the route would be covered by buses. One of several Route communities that would be affected by the removal of passenger-train service is Las … Continue reading Amtrak may end service in northern New Mexico
Did Mary Colter fabricate her role as a Fred Harvey Company architect?
For decades, historians cited Mary Colter as the key architect and designer for early 20th-century buildings in the Fred Harvey Company and the Santa Fe Railroad, including iconic structures at Grand Canyon National Park and La Posada in Winslow, Arizona. A book published last month on Amazon Kindle by Fred Shaw with the title "False … Continue reading Did Mary Colter fabricate her role as a Fred Harvey Company architect?
Volunteer crew aims to have Santa Fe 2926 steaming again by 2019
A group of volunteers in Albuquerque has labored for years to restore a Santa Fe 2926 steam locomotive that hasn't rolled down a set of tracks in 65 years. With more work and a bit of luck, the locomotive will chug into Las Vegas, New Mexico, about the time the long-closed Castaneda Hotel there reopens … Continue reading Volunteer crew aims to have Santa Fe 2926 steaming again by 2019
Strafford building a Route 66-themed park, visitors center
The city of Strafford, Missouri, is constructing a Route 66 Historical Park next to city hall along with a visitors center. KY3 in nearby Springfield got the details: When completed, it will feature reconstructed versions of local 66 icons -- the Bumgardner (sic) General Store and Delp Hotel. "We do not have a lot of … Continue reading Strafford building a Route 66-themed park, visitors center