In the wake of Barack Obama last week designating a big chunk of Route 66 in the Mojave Desert as the Mojave Trails National Monument, pressure is building on the president to designate La Bajada Hill in New Mexico as a national monument, as well. The Christian Science Monitor, in a story Saturday about Obama's executive actions, … Continue reading La Bajada Hill may become a national monument
Tag: Santa Fe
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
La Fonda changes ownership
La Fonda on the Plaza in downtown Santa Fe, New Mexico, changed hands last week, but reportedly little else will change with the historic hotel, according to the Santa Fe New Mexican newspaper. The Ballen family had owned the hotel for more than four decades. They turned over the assets to Jennifer Kimball, a current … Continue reading La Fonda changes ownership
Interactive map sorts 1935-1945 photos
Starting in 1935, photographers with the New Deal's Farm Security Administration began documenting life in the United States during the Great Depression and, later, World War II. More than 170,000 photos were taken, and a few of them became famous, including Dorothea Lange's now-iconic image of a migrant mother. Although the vast majority of images … Continue reading Interactive map sorts 1935-1945 photos
El Rey Inn’s commitment to its employees
Nearly 35 years ago, the owner of the historic El Rey Inn on Route 66 in Santa Fe, New Mexico, instituted a profit-sharing plan for employees. According to CNN Money, owner Terrell White has put $7 million into the plan and paid out $5 million over the years. The hotel has 26 employees, with many of … Continue reading El Rey Inn’s commitment to its employees
Returning to the scene of the crime
The Santa Fe New Mexican newspaper relayed this story about Hubert Denk, a German journalist who was traveling Route 66 on assignment in 1994 when he was attacked by a group of thugs in Santa Fe who robbed him and broke his kneecap. Last week, Denk decided to return to the exact spot -- on East Alameda Street … Continue reading Returning to the scene of the crime
TripAdvisor ranks Blue Swallow among top bargain motels
The Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, N.M., ranked among the top 25 "bargain" motels in the United States in TripAdvisor's 2014 Traveler's Choice Awards. The Blue Swallow is listed at No. 6. TripAdvisor said the average nightly rate in its bargain group is $91. Random observation: Four of the 25 motels in that category are … Continue reading TripAdvisor ranks Blue Swallow among top bargain motels
Pontiac bed-and-breakfast wins third straight national honor
Three Roses Bed and Breakfast in Pontiac, Ill., won a Guest Favorite Award from BnBFinder.com for the third straight year, according to a news release from Pontiac Tourism. It's the fourth such honor overall for Three Roses, having won in 2007, 2011, 2012, and 2013. According to the release: “Innkeeper Sharon Hansen received high praise from … Continue reading Pontiac bed-and-breakfast wins third straight national honor
La Fonda finishes renovations
The historic La Fonda Hotel in Santa Fe, N.M., recently finished extensive renovations and showed off the results with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting and open house Tuesday, according to the Sante Fe New Mexican newspaper. Upgraded furnishings, windows and color motifs, as well as improvements to the landmark hotel’s rooftop bar were on display, along with … Continue reading La Fonda finishes renovations