Artist's rendering of the proposed cliffside motel at Two Guns, Arizona. A developer plans an elaborate transformation of the Two Guns, Arizona, site that includes a luxury campground and even a cliffside motel along Diablo Canyon. John D. Gunderman made his plans public through an extensive website for his 2 Guns Luxury Resort. He said … Continue reading Elaborate development planned for Two Guns site in Arizona
Fire guts restaurant building at Road Runner’s Retreat near Chambless
A likely arson fire destroyed the restaurant building Wednesday at the long-closed Road Runner's Retreat complex near Chambless, California. Beth Murray reported the fire began about 4:15 p.m. The sign and service station remained intact, but the restaurant was "a total loss." After the bad news, Murray set up a fundraiser with a goal of … Continue reading Fire guts restaurant building at Road Runner’s Retreat near Chambless
David Clark will host a Zoom talk Aug. 6 about Route 66 in Chicago
David Clark, the preeminent expert on Route 66 in the Chicago area, will present a Zoom videoconference event titled, "Route 66 in Chicago: Where the Road Begins," on the night of Aug. 6. Clark, InSites To Go and Route66Chicago.com are describing it as a "virtual tour" of the Mother Road in Chicago. More from the … Continue reading David Clark will host a Zoom talk Aug. 6 about Route 66 in Chicago
Monterey Motel renovations in Albuquerque will finish by September
Renovations on the historic Monterey Motel in Albuquerque will be completed by September in its conversion to a higher-end hostel. Downtown Albuquerque News recently talked to Chad Renneker, a Portland, Oregon-based developer who also brought El Vado Motel back to life as a boutique motel with a taproom and several shops. The bunk beds will … Continue reading Monterey Motel renovations in Albuquerque will finish by September
Construction begins on Route 66 Village Train Depot in Tulsa
Construction has started on a $3 million Route 66 Village Train Depot at the Route 66 Village in southwest Tulsa. According to a news release from the city of Tulsa, the 5,000-square foot depot will be built next to the existing locomotive on the site at 3770 Southwest Blvd. (aka Route 66). The depot will … Continue reading Construction begins on Route 66 Village Train Depot in Tulsa
Book review: “Promise Unfulfilled: The Brief Life and Bizarre Death of Actor Robert Morris”
A question has dogged the "Route 66" television series for decades: What the heck happened to Robert Morris, the actor once slated to co-star in the drama who died less than a year after it launched? A new, self-published book by Vernon Gravely, "Promise Unfulfilled: The Brief Life and Bizarre Death of Actor Robert Morris" … Continue reading Book review: “Promise Unfulfilled: The Brief Life and Bizarre Death of Actor Robert Morris”
Central Camera in Chicago to reopen in a storefront next door in September
Central Camera, a mainstay on Route 66 in downtown Chicago for over a century that burned during unrest in late May over the George Floyd police-brutality case, will reopen in September in a temporary store as the original is rebuilt. Block Club Chicago had the story Tuesday: The store at 228 S. Wabash Ave. will … Continue reading Central Camera in Chicago to reopen in a storefront next door in September
Fire destroys 120-year-old railcar slated for restoration in Galena
A purported arson fire Tuesday destroyed an 1899 passenger railcar in Galena, Kansas, slated to begin restoration as a future tourist attraction along Route 66. Former Galena mayor Dale Oglesby stated in a Facebook post the former presidential railcar from the Kansas City Southern Railway contained hand-laid mosaic tile showers, a kitchen, a dining room, … Continue reading Fire destroys 120-year-old railcar slated for restoration in Galena
Two microbreweries open along Route 66 despite coronavirus disruptions
This past month, two microbreweries have opened along Route 66 despite the economic turmoil and disruptions created by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic -- a sign of hope if there ever was one. Wally Kennedy, a writer at the Joplin Globe, noted that ray of sunshine amid the clouds during a recent column: So when something … Continue reading Two microbreweries open along Route 66 despite coronavirus disruptions
Webb City home, Kingshighway district in St. Louis added to National Register
An 1891 house in Webb City, Missouri, and a commercial district on Kingshighway Boulevard in St. Louis each were added to the National Register of Historic Places last week. Both are on or very near historic Route 66. The Elijah Thomas Webb home at 4 S. Liberty St. in Webb City (map here) is owned … Continue reading Webb City home, Kingshighway district in St. Louis added to National Register