La Castaneda shoots for a summer 2019 reopening

Allan Affeldt, known for restoring La Posada in Winslow, Arizona, is hoping for a summer 2019 reopening of his latest project, La Castaneda in Las Vegas, New Mexico. The Santa Fe New Mexican newspaper published a long article about the former Harvey House restaurant and hotel built in 1898. Affeldt so far has spent about … Continue reading La Castaneda shoots for a summer 2019 reopening

Author traveling Route 66 in 1930 Ford Model A for book project

Noted author and retired professor T. Lindsay Baker is traveling Route 66 in a 1930 Ford Model A as part of research into a book he'll be writing about restaurants and dining along the Mother Road. Tulsa World columnist Ginnie Graham caught up with Baker last week in Tulsa. The article is far-ranging and ought … Continue reading Author traveling Route 66 in 1930 Ford Model A for book project

La Posada to begin restoration of east grounds, depot next month

La Posada Hotel in Winslow, Arizona, will begin a $2 million first phase of restoration of its east grounds and railroad depot in July. According to a Facebook post a few days ago from hotel owner Allan Affeldt, the project eventually will become the Winslow Arts Museum. More details: The Winslow Art Museum will explore … Continue reading La Posada to begin restoration of east grounds, depot next month

Hotel Castaneda renovation funding hits a snag

A state office's rejections of tax-credit loan applications may slow Allan Affeldt's bid to renovate the historic but long-closed Hotel Castaneda in Las Vegas, New Mexico. According to a story in the Albuquerque Journal, the New Mexico Finance Authority nixed several applications for a loan that's meant to aid real-estate development in troubled areas. “It’s … Continue reading Hotel Castaneda renovation funding hits a snag

El Fidel Hotel to be auctioned next week

The historic El Fidel Hotel in Las Vegas, New Mexico, will be auctioned online for six-day period starting Oct. 27. The 1923 hotel, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is going on the block because its owner is retiring. The auction will begin 10 a.m. Oct. 27 and end 6 p.m. Nov. 1. The … Continue reading El Fidel Hotel to be auctioned next week

La Posada acquires vintage domed rail car

La Posada in Winslow, Arizona, recently acquired a historic Santa Fe Pleasure Dome rail car that will be refurbished to house history exhibits and a guest room. The rail car will be a part of the next phase of La Posada complex's Route 66 Art Museum project that begins next month. La Posada co-owner Allan Affeldt said in … Continue reading La Posada acquires vintage domed rail car

Interview with a former Harvey Girl from La Posada

This new, well-produced interview features JoAn Fuller, who worked as a Harvey Girl at La Posada at Winslow, Arizona, during the mid-1940s. Fuller also lived near Route 66 in Prewitt, New Mexico, when her husband worked for the railroad. JoAn Fuller Interview from Katrina Parks on Vimeo. It turns out the Fuller interview was produced by … Continue reading Interview with a former Harvey Girl from La Posada

Full inventory of Negro Motorist Green Book sites released

Here's another reason to go on a road trip: The Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program has released a list of all the properties listed in the Negro Motorist Green Book from 1936 to 1964 during the Jim Crow era of rampant racial segregation. A full list of the properties and their statuses is here. Kaisa … Continue reading Full inventory of Negro Motorist Green Book sites released

Video summarizes “Route 66: The Road Ahead” conference

A few days ago, the World Monuments Fund uploaded this eight-minute video that summarizes the "Route 66: The Road Ahead" conference that took place in November at a hotel near Disney's Cars Land in California. You'll probably see a few familiar faces from Route 66, including Dawn Welch at the Rock Cafe, Kevin Mueller at … Continue reading Video summarizes “Route 66: The Road Ahead” conference

La Posada owner commits to buying Plaza Hotel

Allan Affeldt, co-owner of the historic La Posada hotel in Winslow, Arizona, announced Tuesday night in a Facebook post that he signed a contract to buy the historic Plaza Hotel in downtown Las Vegas, New Mexico. Affeldt's wish to own the Plaza Hotel had been known for weeks. He had said owning the Plaza would … Continue reading La Posada owner commits to buying Plaza Hotel