I remember David Knudson of the National Historic Route 66 Federation commenting not long ago that the number of foreign travelers on the Mother Road had taken a big decline since the terrorism attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Turns out it wasn't Knudson's imagination, nor was Route 66 the only tourism casualty of 9/11. This … Continue reading How do we bring back the foreign visitors?
Will Rogers Hotel marks 10th year of reopening
The historic Will Rogers Hotel on Lynn Riggs Boulevard (aka Route 66) in Claremore, Okla., is celebrating its 10th year Friday since reopening as a home for businesses and long-term residents, reports the Claremore Progress. The hotel opened in 1930 and was there to take advantage of the area's natural mineral water springs, which was … Continue reading Will Rogers Hotel marks 10th year of reopening
An urgent message from Albuquerque
Here it is, in full: Greetings: El Vado Motel is back on the Albuquerque Landmarks and Urban Conservation Commission's agenda in two weeks. If you support preservation of this historic Route 66 landmark, know that its designation as a City of Albuquerque Landmark is again at stake, along with its very existence. Two related questions … Continue reading An urgent message from Albuquerque
This is short notice …
... but Shellee Graham will have a screening of her documentary "Built for Speed: The Coral Court Motel" at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Lincoln County Museum of Pioneer History at 717-719 Manvel, aka Route 66, in Chandler, Okla. The Coral Court Motel was an exquisite art deco business on Route 66 in Marlborough, Mo., … Continue reading This is short notice …
Ghosts at the former Big Chief?
The former Big Chief Dakota restaurant and motel complex on the Manchester Road alignment of Route 66 in Wildwood, Mo., now a B. Donovan's restaurant, may have some ghosts on the premises, reports the Suburban Journals. Smith said he has heard a number of stories about the property. "One is that there is a female … Continue reading Ghosts at the former Big Chief?
Magazine publishers get the Harley & Annabelle Experience
According to an article last week in the Elk City and Sayre newspapers in Oklahoma, Harley and Annabelle Russell of the Sandhills Curiosity Shop in Erick, Okla., entertained 57 members of the International Regional Magazine Association earlier this month. The group was in Oklahoma City for the gathering, but drove a few hours west to … Continue reading Magazine publishers get the Harley & Annabelle Experience
History of the Green Spot
Mark Landis, writing for the San Bernardino County Sun, wrote an interesting historical overview of the Green Spot Motel, built in 1937 on Route 66 in Victorville, Calif. The Green Spot, at 16937 C St., was the finest motel in town, offering the most modern comforts and services available for the traveling public. Twin arched … Continue reading History of the Green Spot
Faster fiesta
Brad Carter has created a time-lapse video of the sights from the recent Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. The fiesta needs to use this guy's work for publicity, pronto. It makes me wanna go. (Hat tip: Duke City Fix.)
No bull
Straight from the Arizona Daily Sun in Flagstaff: The fiberglass bull welded to the sign outside Crazy Bill's Saloon and Steakhouse has been stolen. According to Flagstaff police reports, the brown bull, which is about half-sized in scale, was taken between 8 p.m. on Thursday and 4 a.m. on Friday from the bar and restaurant, … Continue reading No bull
Spinning yarns about Oklahoma Joe’s
Johnny Mango at Duke City Fix shows a postcard of one of Albuquerque's first barbecue joints, Oklahoma Joe's, on Central Avenue (aka Route 66) near the University of New Mexico campus. Mango said Okie Joe's, later known as Okie's, was known for 10-cent beer nights, with the brew served in paper cups. It was a … Continue reading Spinning yarns about Oklahoma Joe’s