Redevelopment of the De Anza Motor Lodge in Albuquerque is scheduled to be finished by February with grand reopening tentatively set for April. Groundbreaking for the $9 million project began in November, and the Albuquerque Journal reports the site now looks drastically different. Construction project manager Jim Trump Nearly all of the buildings have come … Continue reading De Anza Motor Lodge scheduled to reopen by April
What’s left of the Holiday Drive-In theater in Springfield, Missouri
While surfing through YouTube, I found this short video of the remnants of the long-closed Holiday Drive-In theater in Springfield, Missouri. The video is notable because it contains drone footage of what's on the theater grounds at 2829 E. Kearney St. Even almost 15 years after it was closed, aerial footage still clearly shows it was … Continue reading What’s left of the Holiday Drive-In theater in Springfield, Missouri
Kingman has its own Monopoly game knockoff — Kingman-opoly
The Route 66 town of Kingman, Arizona, now has a Monopoly-inspired board game that's being sold online and in local stores. It's called Kingman-Opoly. According to an article in the Kingman Daily Miner, the Kingman-Opoly game started to show up in Walmart stores in Kingman in mid-September. The board game includes these local stops on … Continue reading Kingman has its own Monopoly game knockoff — Kingman-opoly
Longtime operator of Monterey Motel in Albuquerque dies
Norman Bugg, who operated the Monterey Motel along Route 66 in Albuquerque for 25 years, died Sunday of heart failure. He was 89. The Albuquerque Journal, which reported Bugg's death Monday, said he refurbished and remodeled an aging motel into Triple Diamond-rated lodging. Miroslaw and Boguslawa Elencwajg later acquired the motel and renamed it Monterey Non-Smokers … Continue reading Longtime operator of Monterey Motel in Albuquerque dies
Hundreds participate in Mother Road Marathon
More than 500 people finished Sunday's Mother Road Marathon and its companion races. The 26.2-mile footrace that started in Commerce, Oklahoma, and finished in Joplin, Missouri, remains the only marathon that goes through three states. Preliminary race results indicate Scott Wilmes, 41, of Liberty, Missouri, was the top finisher in 3 hours, 6 minutes, 19.1 … Continue reading Hundreds participate in Mother Road Marathon
Best sake made outside of Japan is in Holbrook
If you want to drink high-quality sake (a rice wine) with sushi, the best way is to get it straight from the original source in Japan. However, if you're in the United States, the best sake there is made right in the Route 66 town of Holbrook, Arizona, at a place called Arizona Sake. Fox … Continue reading Best sake made outside of Japan is in Holbrook
Fundraiser set for Oct. 11 for Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66
Those who attend a "fun-raiser" Oct. 11 for the Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 in Joliet may learn of the exact place where it will be housed. Ron Romero, chairman of the museum's board of directors and facility's creator, told The Daily Southtown he hopes to reveal the site at the event. … Continue reading Fundraiser set for Oct. 11 for Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66
Standin’ on a Corner statue in Winslow to mark 20th anniversary
The often-photographed statue on a corner of Winslow, Arizona, inspired by The Eagles' song "Take It Easy" is marking its 20th year, and the artist who created it will be in town this weekend for the annual Standin' on a Corner Festival. The artist is Ronald Adamson of Libby, Montana. Here's a report by KTVQ … Continue reading Standin’ on a Corner statue in Winslow to mark 20th anniversary
Route 66 theme helps boost attendance at L.A. County Fair
The Los Angeles County Fair in Pomona, California, reported an extra 60,000 attended over the previous year and is giving partial credit to a Route 66 theme for the attendance boost. The Los Angeles Times reported the fair drew 1.13 million people over 19 days -- a 5 percent increase from 2017. Organizers attributed the … Continue reading Route 66 theme helps boost attendance at L.A. County Fair
Roadrunner Retreat cleanup set for Nov. 3-4; fundraiser announced
Volunteer work days to help the owner clean up the long-closed but photogenic Roadrunner Retreat restaurant near Chambless, California, have been set for Nov. 3-4, and a GoFundMe page has been launched to help defray its expenses. Beth Murray, organizer of the GoFundMe page, has set a relatively modest goal of $500. She wrote on … Continue reading Roadrunner Retreat cleanup set for Nov. 3-4; fundraiser announced