Six vintage motels along the Route 66 corridor of Gallup, New Mexico, were closed by the city due to numerous code violations. That includes the Blue Spruce Lodge motel with its oft-photographed neon sign. Frequent Route 66 traveler and writer Blue Miller noted the closure of about a half-dozen motels during a recent post on … Continue reading Six motels on Route 66 in Gallup closed by the city, including Blue Spruce Lodge
Backland luxury campground plans to open southeast of Williams in June
Backland, a luxury campground and eco-lodging establishment known for tented suites, plans to open southeast of the Route 66 town of Williams, Arizona, in late June. According to a news release from the company: The team at Backland announced that reservations for stays from July 28, 2022, onwards, are now available. The eco-resort is anticipating opening for … Continue reading Backland luxury campground plans to open southeast of Williams in June
City of Joplin hires firm to help find a developer for Joplin Union Depot
The City of Joplin, Missouri, has tapped a commercial real-estate firm to help market the century-old Joplin Union Depot with the hope someone can redevelop and renovate it. The city announced the effort Wednesday. The real-estate company, Glenn Group, will work with the Downtown Joplin Alliance through its Endangered Properties Program and the Missouri Department … Continue reading City of Joplin hires firm to help find a developer for Joplin Union Depot
Route 66 soon will lose a historic bridge near Marshfield
The century-old Route CC bridge over the Niangua Branch river on Route 66 east of Marshfield, Missouri, will be closed permanently this week to make way for a new bridge. That's the word from Route 66 preservationists and a news release from the Missouri Department of Transportation: The bridge replacement will require Route CC to … Continue reading Route 66 soon will lose a historic bridge near Marshfield
Illinois State Fair in Springfield paints its giant slide in a Route 66 theme
The Illinois State Fair in Springfield recently repainted its giant slide with an Illinois Route 66 shield. Springfield tourism director Scott Dahl recently posted a photo of the historic slide on social media: The 40-foot-tall and 130-foot-long slide was erected in 1968 and is near the fair's main gate. It was one of 40 originally designed … Continue reading Illinois State Fair in Springfield paints its giant slide in a Route 66 theme
Winning entry for Tulsa Route 66 mixed-use development includes car vending machine
Local developer David Sharp has been chosen from three suitors to construct a Route 66 mixed-use development on the banks of the Arkansas River in Tulsa that will include a car vending machine. The City of Tulsa is expected to formally announce the decision on the development today, but the Tulsa World received confirmation from … Continue reading Winning entry for Tulsa Route 66 mixed-use development includes car vending machine
New owners of Sunflower Station in Adrian reveal more plans for the site for 2023
The new owners of Sunflower Station next door to the landmark Midpoint Cafe in Adrian, Texas, announced plans for the site when they plan to reopen it in spring 2023, including placing guest cabins in the back of the property. Jason and Kelly Snyder, enthusiasts of Route 66 and motorcycles, acquired the property last year … Continue reading New owners of Sunflower Station in Adrian reveal more plans for the site for 2023
Lucille’s Service Station in Hydro sustains moderate damage from a tornado
The landmark Lucille's Service Station along Route 66 near Hydro, Oklahoma, sustained moderate damage from a tornado, but a nearby office building designed to look like the original motel was more ravaged. KFOR-TV in nearby Oklahoma City shot footage from a helicopter of the site. As you can see, the original station suffered a little … Continue reading Lucille’s Service Station in Hydro sustains moderate damage from a tornado
Scenes from the Historic Route 66 Fun Run in Arizona
Frank Kocevar, a former owner of Historic Seligman Sundries, took his video camera to Seligman and other parts of western Arizona during the Arizona Route 66 Fun Run last weekend. It was the first time in two years the Fun Run had been held because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The annual event. in its 33rd … Continue reading Scenes from the Historic Route 66 Fun Run in Arizona
Travelers should avoid Las Vegas, N.M., for now due to wildfires
Route 66 travelers who want to take a short side trip to Las Vegas, New Mexico, from the Santa Fe Loop had better change plans for at least a few days. A wildfire of nearly 140,000 acres around Las Vegas has prompted evacuations on the west side of the city and briefly jeopardized its water-treatment … Continue reading Travelers should avoid Las Vegas, N.M., for now due to wildfires