Sign on South Pasadena theater may be a safety hazard

City officials fear the vertical neon sign on the historic but closed Rialto Theatre in South Pasadena, Calif., may have come loose and could fall on somebody, reported the Los Angeles Times. The newspaper said: City building inspectors say they fear the blade-shaped sign may have been weakened in recent windstorms and could present a … Continue reading Sign on South Pasadena theater may be a safety hazard

Holiday in the Golden State

Here's a trip to Southern California, in which Route 66 plays a prominent role: https://vimeo.com/38712437 Danged if I know who playing the music, but it sounds like the Ramones.

Big mess over the operations of Grand Canyon Skywalk

It looks like the long-simmering dispute about the operations of Grand Canyon Skywalk finally came to a head -- the Hualapai Tribe used eminent domain to seize the complex from the developer, reported the Reuters news service. Skywalk is a horseshoe-shaped superstructure with a glass floor that extends 70 feet over the edge of the … Continue reading Big mess over the operations of Grand Canyon Skywalk

Victorville museum plans Route 66 mural next door

The California Route 66 Museum in Victorville is planning a Route 66-themed mural on the shell of a historic building that burned two years ago, reported the San Gabriel Valley Tribune. The newspaper said San Bernardino artist and Route 66 fan Robb McDermott of McDermott Signs will paint the mural: In April 2010, the historic Halstead … Continue reading Victorville museum plans Route 66 mural next door

Tornado-stricken antiques business in Williamsville will reopen

Williamsville Route 66 Antiques in Williamsville, Ill., will reopen the original building was destroyed by a tornado more than two years ago, reported the Springfield State Journal-Register. Dan and Linda Spann, and partner David Ruiz, say the shop will have much the same look and mix of antiques. The owners rebuilt after the storm but … Continue reading Tornado-stricken antiques business in Williamsville will reopen

The wearing of the green

Today is St. Patrick's Day, which means this is what happens to the Chicago River in downtown Chicago: https://youtu.be/guLGtpS8v24 Chicago has been doing this for 50 years. The Sun-Times has more on this history of this annual event.

El Trovatore Motel’s main neon sign is restored

https://youtu.be/FzE3YAZyxf0 Restoration work on the neon sign at El Trovatore Motel in Kingman, Ariz., was finished Thursday, reported owner Sam Frisher in an email. Here are photos of workers laboring over the sign: Also, Frisher gave this fascinating report about the work on El Trovatore Motel's tower sign on the back of the property: We … Continue reading El Trovatore Motel’s main neon sign is restored

Historic Sunset Boulevard house may face wrecking ball

One of the oldest homes on Sunset Boulevard (aka Route 66) in the Echo Park neighborhood of Los Angeles may be razed for redevelopment, according to a blog by the Echo Park Historical Society. The compound of cottages at 2225-2235 Sunset Blvd. (map here) is more than a century old. But the most significant part … Continue reading Historic Sunset Boulevard house may face wrecking ball

Santa Fe project will reuse two historic buildings

A mixed-use development in Santa Fe, N.M., will reuse two historic Route 66 buildings in the downtown area, with an estimated completion date of September, according to a news release Thursday. Below is an artist's rendering of the project: The project, called Luna, will start renovations this month. The release said: The initial phase will … Continue reading Santa Fe project will reuse two historic buildings

A tour of La Fonda

This video, made a few months ago, shows the history and attractions of La Fonda on the Plaza hotel in Santa Fe, N.M., as well as anything I've seen. https://youtu.be/orNBB0No4nI La Fonda sits just a few feet away from the 1926-37 alignment of Route 66, where the Old Santa Fe Trail meets Water Street.