The historic El Fidel Hotel in Las Vegas, New Mexico, will be auctioned online for six-day period starting Oct. 27. The 1923 hotel, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is going on the block because its owner is retiring. The auction will begin 10 a.m. Oct. 27 and end 6 p.m. Nov. 1. The … Continue reading El Fidel Hotel to be auctioned next week
Cyrus Avery Court apartments inspired by 1950s
The newly refurbished and rechristened Cyrus Avery Court apartment complex in Tulsa takes its inspiration from nearby Route 66 and the 1950s. The property at 5223 E. 12th St. (map here) sits a block south of Route 66's 11th Street and is named after the so-called Father of Route 66, Cyrus Avery, who lived in Tulsa all his … Continue reading Cyrus Avery Court apartments inspired by 1950s
Fabulous 40 Motel in Adrian reopens
The Fabulous 40 Motel in Adrian, Texas, reopened last week after a hiatus of more than a decade. And the new proprietors also own The Bent Door cafe along Route 66 in Adrian, which they also hope to reopen sometime next year. Roy and Ramona Kiewert reopened the Fabulous 40 Motel on Oct. 7 after buying the … Continue reading Fabulous 40 Motel in Adrian reopens
Illinois Route 66 gets $2.16 million for trails
The Illinois Department of Transportation on Wednesday awarded $2.16 million in grants for bicycle and walking trails along Route 66 in Williamsville and McLean County. The two projects were part of 33 statewide that received grants from the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program, slated for "biking and walking paths, trails, streetscape beautification work and other projects designed … Continue reading Illinois Route 66 gets $2.16 million for trails
Willem Bor creates new Route 66 miniatures
Longtime readers probably know of Willem Bor of the Netherlands, who in the last few years has created miniatures of well-known Route 66 landmarks for museums or private individuals. The bad news is Bor contracted cancer and had to cancel one of his upcoming trips on Route 66. The good news is because he's got … Continue reading Willem Bor creates new Route 66 miniatures
Tony Waldmire of Cozy Dog Drive-In dies
Tony Waldmire, 31, a co-operator of the landmark Cozy Dog Drive-In in Springfield, Illinois, and grandson of its founder, died Saturday, according to a post from the restaurant's Facebook account. The post read: This is the hardest post I have ever had to make. With a heavy heart I am sad to announce the passing of my … Continue reading Tony Waldmire of Cozy Dog Drive-In dies
Fran Eickhoff plaque being moved to Missouri Hick Bar-B-Q
A plaque commemorating longtime Route 66 business owner Fran Eickhoff is being moved from Fanning 66 Outpost to the Missouri Hick Bar-B-Q restaurant in Cuba, Missouri, after the former closed. The plaque will be re-dedicated by the Route 66 Association of Missouri at 11 a.m. Saturday at the restaurant 913 E. Washington St. (aka Route 66; … Continue reading Fran Eickhoff plaque being moved to Missouri Hick Bar-B-Q
Why was Route 66 also known as “Bloody 66”?
For decades, Route 66 was known as "Bloody 66" because of the many car crashes that occurred on that busy and often-narrow highway. When I first talked to old-timers about Route 66 during the late 1990s, many of them recalled those "Bloody 66" memories. The few books about the Mother Road published at the time also recounted … Continue reading Why was Route 66 also known as “Bloody 66”?
The early history of Cadillac Ranch
The Artsy website posted a well-researched article of how the Cadillac Ranch art installation in Amarillo, Texas, came to be, including vintage photos of it being built. Cadillac Ranch turned into a roadside icon -- including for Route 66 travelers -- in the four decades since local tycoon Stanley Marsh 3 commissioned it from the Ant Farm … Continue reading The early history of Cadillac Ranch
Cucamonga Service Station wins state preservation award
The century-old Cucamonga Service Station in Rancho Cucamonga, California, recently received a prestigious preservation honor. The old Route 66 gas station received one of two Preservation Design Awards from the California Preservation Foundation on Sept. 29. The California Preservation Foundation celebrates and recognizes exemplary work in historic preservation, restoration, rehabilitation, sustainability, studies, reports and other significant categories in the preservation … Continue reading Cucamonga Service Station wins state preservation award