The new owners of Cindy's Eagle Rock Restaurant in Los Angeles have begun a Kickstarter campaign to preserve the historic diner's vintage sign, reported the Los Angeles Times. Monique King and Paul Rosenbluh bought the restaurant and reopened it in April. And, so far, they seem to be good stewards: They've kept the original booths, … Continue reading Kickstarter fundraiser launched to restore sign
New statues coming to Route 66 in Illinois
A series of new statues and wayside kiosks will be erected in nine towns along Route 66 in Illinois, according to a news release. The Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway project was paid for by grants from National Scenic Byway Program and the Illinois Office of Tourism. The new kiosks and statues add to the 31 wayside exhibits and … Continue reading New statues coming to Route 66 in Illinois
“Return to Route 66”
A reader tipped me off about Kingman, Arizona, resident Chris Commisso, who wrote this song and shot the video on the Mother Road in Kingman. https://youtu.be/wL0eWO_19c0 It seems to be a mix of jazz, hip-hop and 1960s lounge. I like it a lot. Commisso has his own YouTube channel here. His official website is here.
Los Angeles and Woody Guthrie
Folk singer Woody Guthrie's many links to Route 66 have been long documented. However, this excellent clip by filmmaker Aric Allen shows that Los Angeles played a crucial role in Guthrie's road to fame in 1937. Amazingly, many of the places where Guthrie hung around in L.A. still exist, as this film shows. https://youtu.be/FCh4O9nv0mo (Image … Continue reading Los Angeles and Woody Guthrie
How did the Kingman Route 66 festival do?
The answer: Pretty well; thanks for asking. The town of Kingman, Arizona, hosted the annual International Route 66 Festival for the first time last weekend. I've cobbled together some highlights from the event: Estimated attendance, according to the Kingman Daily Miner newspaper, was 6,000, which was in line with forecasts. About 60 percent of festival attendees … Continue reading How did the Kingman Route 66 festival do?
“Route 66: The Road Ahead” report released
The World Monuments Fund this month released its report on the "Route 66: The Road Ahead" roundtable held in November at Anaheim, California, that involved many movers and shakers of the Route 66 community. The 67-page Acrobat document can be read in its entirety here. I commend it to your attention. Much of the report … Continue reading “Route 66: The Road Ahead” report released
BLM wants man to remove veterans memorial
A man who finished a small memorial to U.S. veterans three years ago just off Oatman Road (aka Route 66) near Oatman, Arizona, has been ordered to remove it by an official with the Bureau of Land Management, reported the Mohave Valley Daily News. The veterans’ memorial is reached by a series of stone stairs … Continue reading BLM wants man to remove veterans memorial
Milk Bottle Building will be restored
The historic Milk Bottle Building in Oklahoma City will be restored to close to its original appearance, reported The Oklahoman newspaper. Catherine Montgomery, a preservation architect at Preservation & Design Studio who is helping with the project, told the newspaper the interior will be renovated for a new tenant. After removing a sheet of plywood … Continue reading Milk Bottle Building will be restored
Albuquerque asks for proposals for De Anza Motel
The City of Albuquerque recently requested proposals to redevelop the historic De Anza Motor Lodge after two plans fell flat in recent years. However, one prominent business group is recommending a partial teardown of the motel. A group of Albuquerque business owners put together a list of recommendations of what it would like to see … Continue reading Albuquerque asks for proposals for De Anza Motel
Severe storm damages Burger Hut in Needles
A severe storm that caused up to $5 million in damage to the Needles, California, included the historic Burger Hut restaurant along Route 66. The Needles Daily Star had a roundup about the Aug. 12 storm, including the Burger Hut: Ana Johnson, owner of The Burger Hut, said she was glad no one was hurt. … Continue reading Severe storm damages Burger Hut in Needles