The neon sign for the apparently closed Art's Motel in Farmersville, Illinois, recently was dismantled but preserved by a sign company and a historic-themed bar, both in nearby Springfield. For now, Art's Motel & Restaurant faces an uncertain future. The listed phone numbers for the motel were disconnected. A Yelp listing for the motel states … Continue reading Art’s Motel sign in Farmersville taken down
“The Angel of Route 66”
Benjamin Hager, a multimedia journalist at the Las Vegas Review-Journal, over the weekend uploaded this nearly 4-minute video about Angel "The Guardian Angel of Route 66" Delgadillo of Seligman, Arizona. As you'll see, Delgadillo, even at age 91, remains a compelling figure. The Angel of Route 66 from Benjamin Hager on Vimeo. Delgadillo helped found … Continue reading “The Angel of Route 66”
Scenes from El Vado Motel’s grand reopening
Hundreds of people flocked to the grand reopening Friday night of the historic El Vado Motel in Albuquerque after a 13-year hiatus. KOB-TV filed this 2 1/2-minute report from the scene: A few facts about El Vado Motel and its $18 million redevelopment: The complex exists as a combination boutique motel, events center and a … Continue reading Scenes from El Vado Motel’s grand reopening
Bill won’t provide quick fix for Route 66 bridges in Mojave Desert
Don't expect a quick fix to Route 66's dilapidated bridges in the Mojave Desert -- or anyplace else -- if Congress and the president enact the Route 66 centennial bill this year. The Route 66 Centennial Commission Act, passed unanimously by voice vote earlier this week, contains a provision that requests the Secretary of Transportation to … Continue reading Bill won’t provide quick fix for Route 66 bridges in Mojave Desert
Sign removed for long-closed Bel Air Drive-In theater in Mitchell
Workers on Thursday removed the decaying sign for the long-closed Bel Air Drive-In theater in Mitchell, Illinois. Local resident Charles Alexander, who snapped a few photos of the sign being taken down and posted them on Facebook, said the sign is making way for a new truck stop going into the area. Alexander also stated … Continue reading Sign removed for long-closed Bel Air Drive-In theater in Mitchell
Artist’s rendering unveiled for OKPOP museum in Tulsa
The Oklahoma Historical Society earlier this week unveiled an artist's rendering for the upcoming Oklahoma Museum of Pop Culture, aka OKPOP, in Tulsa, slated for a groundbreaking this fall. According to a news release: Nabholz Construction will construct OKPOP at 422 North Main Street in Tulsa, across the street from the Cain’s Ballroom, home of … Continue reading Artist’s rendering unveiled for OKPOP museum in Tulsa
Joliet sets up schedule for old prison tours
The city of Joliet, Illinois, in early August will begin offering guided tours to the historic but long-closed old prison. The Joliet Patch reported some details about the upcoming tours: The Joliet Area Historical Museum will transport tourists to and from the prison by bus, about a five-minute ride each way. Tours inside the old … Continue reading Joliet sets up schedule for old prison tours
ART gets $14M grant; rest of $75M grant remains unclear
Albuquerque's mayor announced Monday the troubled Albuquerque Rapid Transit project will receive $14 million from a Federal Transit Administration grant, but the fate of a long-anticipated $75 million grant from the agency remains unclear. The Albuquerque Journal reported: Mayor Tim Keller in a Monday news conference at the Uptown Transit Center said the federal government … Continue reading ART gets $14M grant; rest of $75M grant remains unclear
‘World’s largest branding iron’ placed at Vega museum
A history museum in Vega, Texas, that sits a half-block off Route 66 recently placed what it calls the "world's largest branding iron" on its grounds. The Milburn-Price Culture Museum at 1005 Coke St. (map here) announced Monday in a Facebook post it placed a 22-foot-long, 3,000-pound branding iron with the XIT ranch logo. The … Continue reading ‘World’s largest branding iron’ placed at Vega museum
Scenes from the Texas Route 66 Festival
Hundreds of Route 66 enthusiasts from all over America and several foreign countries descended on Shamrock, Texas, over the weekend for the Texas Welcomes the World Route 66 Festival. One longtime roadie said authors and artists stationed in the Shamrock Community Center were pleased with attendance, with several reporting strong sales. A focal point at … Continue reading Scenes from the Texas Route 66 Festival