Here is one of the most cherished sights of many Route 66 travelers -- the neon of the Blue Swallow Motel sign in Tucumcari, N.M. The sign was recently repaired after being damaged by a severe hailstorm this spring. As you can see, save for a slightly balky transformer in the "Motel" letters, it's looking … Continue reading One of my favorite things
Category: Signs
Nob Hill holding pattern
About a week ago, I received a message from a reader in Albuquerque, expressing concern about the old Nob Hill Motel on Central Avenue, aka Route 66. And, well, I'll let the reader explain what he saw: The Nob Hill Motel (3712 Central Ave. SE) is just a few blocks from where I live and … Continue reading Nob Hill holding pattern
Notes from the road
I ran behind on getting caught up with news from the Main Street of America on Thursday. So here's the latest, in small bites: Rod Harsh of Visit66.com was shown by the Carthage (Mo.) Press installing new directional signs to help guide travelers down the Mother Road. Many travelers get lost in that part of … Continue reading Notes from the road
Artist will have Route 66 artwork at El Reno
California artist Anthony Ross will have his artwork of Route 66 scenes on display from Sept. 20 to Nov. 1 at Redlands Community College in El Reno, Okla. Ross e-mailed me an image above of one of his mixed-media compositions -- a neon sign at the long-gone Coral Court Motel in St. Louis -- that … Continue reading Artist will have Route 66 artwork at El Reno
Filling the holes
It wasn't long ago that if one wanted to find historic Route 66, vintage maps, old-timers and make plenty of guesses were required. Now there are maps and guidebooks. Realizing that Route 66 was a tourist attraction, states for the most part installed enough road signs to direct novice travelers. However, there are stretches of … Continue reading Filling the holes
Light and motion
I've posted this video of the animated neon rotosphere on top of El Comedor restaurant in Moriarty, N.M., on Route 66 simply because I liked it. Travel blogger Ace Jackelope posted it on YouTube yesterday for a future news item. On a related note, Debra Jane Seltzer of the terrific Roadside Architecture site informs us … Continue reading Light and motion
Save those signs
The City of Tucumcari, N.M., is working on a new Unified Development Code for the town, reports the Quay County Sun. Among the proposals are: • Adopt a Route 66 Overlay Ordinance to protect the existing historic neon signs along Route 66. These signs can be reused and adapted to meet new businesses, instead of … Continue reading Save those signs
Notes from the road
I got a call a few days ago from Bill Kinder, co-owner of the Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, N.M., informing me that all of his motel's neon lights have been repaired. The motel's neon (and others along Route 66 in Tucumcari) were damaged this spring by a severe hailstorm. Missouri Route 66er Tonya Pike … Continue reading Notes from the road
More signs, please
Rod Harsh of Visit66.com in Carterville, Mo., told the city council of nearby Carthage that the city and southwest Missouri in general needs more signs to help guide travelers on Route 66, reported the Carthage Press. Rod Harsh, who has a Route 66 Welcome Center in Carterville, said that people from as far away as … Continue reading More signs, please
Lady Bird’s mixed legacy for Route 66
I loathe to speak ill of the dead, except for the biggest scoundrels. Lady Bird Johnson, the wife of President Lyndon Johnson who died at age 94 on Wednesday, certainly wasn't a scoundrel. But the Highway Beautification Act of 1965, which restricted billboards along our nation's highways, proved to be damaging to Route 66 businesses … Continue reading Lady Bird’s mixed legacy for Route 66