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.
It’s not a joke
Here's the most original arrangement to Bobby Troup's "Route 66" that I've seen in a lonnnnnnng time -- and I've seen a lot. This one's by Bad Jokes, a band based in Italy. https://vimeo.com/38571843
Future of Byways program looks somewhat brighter
The fate of the endangered National Scenic Byways Program looks more optimistic after the U.S. Senate on Wednesday easily passed a bipartisan two-year transportation bill, according to the New York Times and other news outlets. The bill would preserve the Byways program, of which Route 66 and other historic highways have been beneficiaries. However, according to three … Continue reading Future of Byways program looks somewhat brighter
Giving up one Mother Road to emphasize another
I sure would have hated to have been the reporter who had to construct this story in The Herald-News in Joliet, Ill.: The city council last week voted to de-designate Route 59 as it runs through Joliet as part of the Route 66 National Scenic Byway. Instead, the city resolution approved by the council emphasizes … Continue reading Giving up one Mother Road to emphasize another
Brush fire destroys three structures in Cuervo
A wildfire on March 1 destroyed three structures in the Route 66 ghost town of Cuervo, N.M., and damaged another, reported the current print edition of the Guadalupe County Communicator, based in nearby Santa Rosa. The newspaper reported: Nobody was injured in the blaze, which has left a big, black scar on a stretch of … Continue reading Brush fire destroys three structures in Cuervo