The imminent demolition of the Wishing Well Motel in Countryside, Ill., continues, but plans for the property remain up in the air after Mayor Robert Conrad rejected a retail and townhouse proposal, reports Chicago Suburban News. “We just felt that it was a little too dense there,” Conrad said. “It’s not that anyone has a … Continue reading Back to drawing board for Wishing Well site
Casino coming on Route 66 in Oklahoma
Buried in the text of this conference call about third-quarter earnings for Lakes Entertainment is this: Now I will discuss our projects with the Iowa tribe of Oklahoma. Lakes has signed a consulting and management agreement with the Iowa tribe to assist in the development, construction, and management of two gaming facilities. [...] The second … Continue reading Casino coming on Route 66 in Oklahoma
More about El Vado hearing
The Albuquerque Journal had a story about the city's Landmarks and Urban Conservation Commission's decision Wednesday to recommend El Vado Motel be designated a City Landmark, thus protecting it from redevelopment. (Note: I would have posted the story Thursday, except the Journal has the most difficult-to-navigate newspaper Web site I've seen, so I missed it.) … Continue reading More about El Vado hearing
Unanimous decision in favor of El Vado Motel
I don't have many of the details. However, William Dodge, vice chairman of the Landmarks and Urban Conservation Commission at the City of Albuquerque, confirmed to me this morning that the panel voted 7-0 Wednesday night to again designate El Vado Motel as a City Landmark. Dodge told me the hearing lasted five hours, and … Continue reading Unanimous decision in favor of El Vado Motel
That California trip
TrickyNic and a male companion of the United Kingdom traveled Route 66, and put together a collage of still photos and video in three parts. Part 1 goes from Chicago to Amarillo, Texas. It's funny to watch him tentatively eat the calf fries, then think: "Hey! These aren't half-bad!" Part 2 goes from Amarillo to … Continue reading That California trip
“The Grapes of Wrath” online
Holy cow. The Academy Award-winning film "The Grapes of Wrath" has been posted in its entirety at Google Video. You can see the Route 66 footage in the film for yourself, including the Beckham County Courthouse in Sayre, Okla., in the background as the Okies drive west on "the road of flight." (Hat tip: Tim … Continue reading “The Grapes of Wrath” online
Seaba Station to become a motorcycle museum
Many roadies were disheartened to learn that the ever-affable Sue Preston, proprietor of the Seaba Station antique and crafts store on Route 66 near Warwick, Okla., had moved and put her historic building up for sale. However, Seaba Station's two new owners intend to restore its original appearance as a 1930s D-X gas station and … Continue reading Seaba Station to become a motorcycle museum
Buy a T-shirt, get a membership
Vintage Roadside, an apparel company that features retro artwork from defunct roadside businesses of the 1930s to '60s, is providing free one-year memberships to the National Trust for Historic Preservation for every T-shirt it sells. Most of Vintage Roadside's shirts run $20 apiece. The National Trust membership's value is $20. As the news release says: … Continue reading Buy a T-shirt, get a membership
Book review: “Legendary Route 66”
There are certain authors who have such a good track record, you know their books are good even before you pick them up. Michael Karl Witzel is on that short list. He's written books about drive-in theaters, drive-in restaurants, gas stations, diners, Americana and barns. "Route 66 Remembered" remains a classic of the Mother Road … Continue reading Book review: “Legendary Route 66”
The best checklist for “Cars” toys
I've long quit trying to keep up with all the die-cast toys Mattel has released since the release of the Disney/Pixar film "Cars" in June 2006. But this entry in the 2 a Day blog has done a better job of keeping track than any I've seen. He says there are now more than 80 … Continue reading The best checklist for “Cars” toys