The historic Southwest Museum in Los Angeles officially was put up for sale by the Autry Museum of the American West 16 years after its merger. According to LAist, the Autry spent about $20 million on renovations and upkeep since acquiring the property in 2003. "The future has arrived," Autry president and CEO W. Richard … Continue reading Southwest Museum in Los Angeles put up for sale
Superbloom going now along Route 66 in Arizona, California
If you're able to do so, it probably would be a good idea to travel Route 66 in western Arizona and the desert of Southern California now. The Kingman Visitor Center in Kingman, Arizona, this week posted on Facebook, including the above image, spectacular photos of wildflowers along Oatman Road (aka Route 66) west of … Continue reading Superbloom going now along Route 66 in Arizona, California
“Almost Ghosts” documentary to premiere in U.S. in Arizona next month
The "Almost Ghosts" Route 66 documentary will have its U.S. premiere next month at the 28th Arizona International Film Festival. "Almost Ghosts," a film from Spain directed by Ana Ramon Rubio, will be screened at 6 p.m. April 18 at The Screening Room in Tucson, Arizona. It is an official selection of international documentaries in … Continue reading “Almost Ghosts” documentary to premiere in U.S. in Arizona next month
Painted Desert Trading Post gets a new roof
The ongoing quest to stabilize the long-closed Painted Desert Trading Post building in eastern Arizona received a major boost last week when volunteers installed a new roof on the structure. Workers -- many with the Route 66 Co-op that owns the landmark -- stripped off the porous and rotted old roof, installed a new roof … Continue reading Painted Desert Trading Post gets a new roof
A few thoughts on the AP’s story on the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program
A few days ago, Russell Contreras, a reporter with the Associated Press' Albuquerque bureau, filed a story last week about the imminent demise of the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program. Because AP stories fly all over the globe and are picked up by dozens of news outlets, I thought I'd better address some of the … Continue reading A few thoughts on the AP’s story on the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program
Aztec Hotel of Monrovia faces June 5 deadline for finishing improvements
The owner of the Aztec Hotel in Monrovia, California, faces a June 5 deadline to finish improvements or he'll have to do a lot more work on the historic Route 66 property. Qin Han Chen bought the hotel at 311 W. Foothill Blvd. (aka Route 66) in 2012 after it was foreclosed. It had closed … Continue reading Aztec Hotel of Monrovia faces June 5 deadline for finishing improvements
Castaneda Hotel’s south wing likely will open April 1
The south wing of the historic Castaneda Hotel in Las Vegas, New Mexico, likely will open to overnight travelers for the first time in decades on April 1. The hotel's Facebook page posted this brief announcement on Monday: Friday we passed our elevator and fire inspections 😇. We should be able to open the south wing … Continue reading Castaneda Hotel’s south wing likely will open April 1
Original Route 66 sign being auctioned for Painted Desert Trading Post project
A longtime Route 66 enthusiast is offering an original Route 66 sign for auction to help fund the stabilization of the Painted Desert Trading Post in eastern Arizona. The sign originally came from Texas. According to the description on eBay: The sign shows some minimal indications of wear and use. This is a heavy duty, … Continue reading Original Route 66 sign being auctioned for Painted Desert Trading Post project
Relighting of Ariston Cafe’s neon signs, windows set for May 4
A relighting ceremony for the neon signs and window accents for the Ariston Cafe in Litchfield, Illinois, will be scheduled for the evening of May 4. The restoration of the signs and accents is a joint project between the Route 66 Association of Missouri and the Illinois Route 66 Association. The Missouri association has been … Continue reading Relighting of Ariston Cafe’s neon signs, windows set for May 4
BBC’s “Hairy Bikers” show doing a series about Route 66
Producers from the BBC show "The Hairy Bikers" are scouting for locations along Route 66 for a six-part series about the Mother Road. The Launching Pad restaurant's Facebook page stated last week: TV producers from the BBC stopped by to see us today at the Launching Pad. They are scoping locations for a long-standing popular … Continue reading BBC’s “Hairy Bikers” show doing a series about Route 66