The Ramada Kingman hotel and its Canyon 66 Restaurant and Lounge in Kingman, Arizona, abruptly closed this week amid allegations of unpaid contractor bills and stiffed employees. It was the second high-profile lodging establishment to close in Kingman in less than six months. The historic Hill Top Motel closed late last year after being foreclosed. … Continue reading Ramada Kingman, Canyon 66 restaurant abruptly close
Category: Restaurants
Co-founder of The Tropics in Lincoln dies
Helen Frances Schwenoha, co-founder of now-defunct but fondly remembered The Tropics restaurant in Lincoln, Illinois, died Feb. 28 at age 95 in Los Osos, California. The San Luis Obispo Tribune published an obituary on Schwenoha on March 18. Schwenoha was born in Augusta, Illinois, to John Bradford and Mary Grace Compton. She married Vincent John Schwenoha in … Continue reading Co-founder of The Tropics in Lincoln dies
Midpoint Cafe reopens with new owners March 28
The landmark Midpoint Cafe and Gift Shop in Adrian, Texas, will hold its grand reopening for the season March 28 with its new owners, Brenda Hammit and Carrie O'Leary. According to a post Thursday on the restaurant's Facebook page, Hammit had worked at the Route 66 landmark for five years. Her sister, O'Leary, recently relocated … Continue reading Midpoint Cafe reopens with new owners March 28
Former Midpoint Cafe owner running for mayor of Adrian
Fran Houser, former longtime owner of the landmark Midpoint Cafe and current owner of the nearby Sunflower Station in Adrian, Texas, is running for mayor in the tiny Texas Panhandle town. Houser filed for candidacy two weeks ago, but her campaign got a boost Thursday with a semi-viral video from a local woman on Facebook. … Continue reading Former Midpoint Cafe owner running for mayor of Adrian
Trail of Tears Memorial in Missouri to reopen April 22
The Trail of Tears Memorial and Herbal Garden near Jerome, Missouri, will hold its grand reopening at 1 p.m. April 22, which is Earth Day. The Facebook page for the garden announced the event Tuesday. A ribbon-cutting will occur in front of the grounds' famed entrance arch that day, before the artwork-festooned trail opens to … Continue reading Trail of Tears Memorial in Missouri to reopen April 22
Old book provides a look back at Quay County, New Mexico
In the last few days, I've perused a book titled "Quay County, New Mexico, 1903-1985." It contains hundreds of stories and photos from the region, including the Route 66 towns of Endee, Bard, San Jon, Tucumcari, Polomas and Montoya. The book, edited by Mary Lynn Moncus and Marian Farmer Knapp, contains nearly 800 pages of … Continue reading Old book provides a look back at Quay County, New Mexico
El Vado Motel restoration ‘a few weeks’ from completion
The long process of restoring the historic El Vado Motel in Albuquerque is just a few weeks from reaching the finish line, according to the president of the project's developer. Last year, officials hoped for a late summer opening. That date got pushed to December. KOB-TV in Albuquerque found out why the project took longer … Continue reading El Vado Motel restoration ‘a few weeks’ from completion
Route 66 Motorheads Bar and Grill will open in March
Route 66 Motorheads Bar & Grill in Springfield, Illinois, which contains memorabilia from Route 66 sites in central Illinois, is slated to open in March. The Springfield State Journal-Register reported the former Stuckey's restaurant on Toronto Road on the west side of Interstate 55 will open its bar and gaming room in mid-March, its grill … Continue reading Route 66 Motorheads Bar and Grill will open in March
Cozy Dog Drive-In offering its own sodas
The Cozy Dog Drive-In in Springfield, Illinois, is famous for its Cozy Dog, reputedly the forerunner of the modern-day corn dog. Now it is selling four flavors of soda in bottles featuring the Cozy Dog logo. It offers cola, diet cola, root beer and diet root beer. The restaurant announced the new offerings on its … Continue reading Cozy Dog Drive-In offering its own sodas
Route 66 Dog Haus in Flagstaff changes hands
The Route 66 Dog Haus in Flagstaff, Arizona, best known for its role in key lines of The Eagles' signature hit "Take It Easy," recently swapped owners, but little else is changing. According to Flagstaff Business News, longtime owner Gary McElfresh sold the restaurant at 1302 Historic Route 66 to longtime Flagstaff resident Bill Unkovich. The new owner … Continue reading Route 66 Dog Haus in Flagstaff changes hands