Interview with a Harvey Girl January 7, 2009
Posted by Ron Warnick in People, Preservation, Railroad.add a comment
The Gallup (N.M.) Independent has a interview with 92-year-old Mary T. Montoya, who became a Harvey Girl at one of Gallup’s Harvey Houses beginning in the 1930s.
Here’s the interesting part:
The nationwide decline of rail travel led to the decline of the Harvey Houses, including Gallup’s. According to his recently published book “Fred Harvey Houses of the Southwest, author Richard Melzer writes that with the advent of Route 66 and the rise in automobile ownership, “Harvey Houses literally faced the wrong direction, toward the tracks rather than towards the roads that best served modern motorists.”
That was the case in Gallup, Montoya agreed, where not enough Route 66 travelers made it through the front doors of El Navajo. After working at the Harvey House for so many years, Montoya said El Navajo had become a second home to her. It was hard to see it close and even more difficult when much of the building was demolished. “Part of my life was gone,” she said. “It was very sad.”
Route 66 hastened the decline of the Harvey Houses, and the interstates in turn hastened the decline of Route 66. Now, preservationists are trying to keep the remnants of both around for future generations.
Swingin’ west January 6, 2009
Posted by Ron Warnick in Music.add a comment
Here’s the Texas Trailhands, based out of Fort Worth, doing a Western swing version of Bobby Troup’s “Route 66.”
International hit January 6, 2009
Posted by Ron Warnick in Attractions, Road trips.1 comment so far
Drawing on the Daily Oklahoman’s story a few days ago, the Christian Science Monitor further examines Route 66′s increasing appeal to foreign travelers.
“Race to the Rocker” footrace set for April January 5, 2009
Posted by Ron Warnick in Businesses, Events, Sports.1 comment so far
A four-mile “Race to the Rocker” footrace is scheduled on Route 66 in and west of Cuba, Mo., at 9 a.m. April 4.
The inaugural race starts at Britton Funeral Home in Cuba and ends at Fanning 66 Outpost General Store, home of the proclaimed World’s Largest Rocker.
The race is sponsored by the store and JOG Inc., or Joggers of God. It will raise money to buy equipment for a new high school track in Cuba.
A T-shirt design for participants will feature the store’s big rocker, which also will mark its first anniversary that week.
To register for the race, go here. Information also is available at JOG Inc.’s site here.
Culver’s is building a Route 66-themed restaurant January 5, 2009
Posted by Ron Warnick in Restaurants.4 comments
Route 66 News doesn’t give a lot of ink to chain restaurants, when plenty of great mom-and-pop eateries on the Mother Road are available.
However, we’re giving credit where credit is due. Culver’s, a Wisconsin-based chain famous for its “butterburgers” and frozen custard, is building its first restaurant in Webb City, Mo. And here’s Culver’s excellent move, according to the Joplin Globe:
This will be the first Culver’s in the chain with the a Route 66 theme. There are over 400 Culver’s sites nationally.
A special logo, resembling a fancy hood ornament, has been created for the event. The ornament says: “Culver’s Route 66, Webb City, Mo. — America’s First.’’
The Culver’s in Webb City is set to open in March.
Co-founder of Boots Motel dies January 5, 2009
Posted by Ron Warnick in Motels, People.1 comment so far
Ilda Boots, co-founder of the Boots Motel on historic Route 66 in Carthage, Mo., died Friday at age 102 at a nursing home in Glenpool, Okla., reports the Carthage Press.
The Bootses also founded the Boots Drive-In restaurant across the road, which is defunct.
According to the newspaper, after talking to Ilda’s son Bob:
She was very much involved in the operation of the Boots Motel.
“In fact, she ran it during some of the World War II years when Dad was working down in Pryor, Okla.,” wrote Bob. “She had a friend named Zella clean the rooms, and she did the rest.”
Ilda and Arthur were divorced while Bob was still in the Air Force.
“Dad built Boots Drive-In, but my uncle and I bought him out after a few years and Mom worked for us for many years afterwords,” said Bob. “She looked after the gifts and souvenirs, reordering as needed, took cash and checked out the register and maybe the most important thing, greeted the customers with a smile. She was an integral part of Boots Drive-In for many years, even after I left and came to Tulsa.”
The Boots Motel was established at Garrison and Central in 1939. That was where Route 66 intersected with U.S. 71, and for many years was called the “Crossroads of America.”
Reputedly, movie star Clark Gable stayed at the Boots Motel overnight during a cross-country trip. The Boots closed a few years ago and is now owned by Vince Scott of Carthage. For now, the future of the motel is in limbo.
(Photo by Jim Ross)
Update on Bristow Motor Co. fire January 5, 2009
Posted by Ron Warnick in Businesses, Preservation.1 comment so far
A month ago, a fire that started in the repair-shop area of Bolin Ford in Bristow, Okla., was believed to have destroyed the historic Bristow Motor Co. building that was part of the complex.
For reasons that are too boring to recount here, I wasn’t able to check the scene until Sunday. What I saw was not nearly as grave as I anticipated.
For certain, the fire destroyed the hangar-shaped maintenance building, as you can see here. Even part of the big Ford sign was discolored by the intense heat:
But the two architecturally distinctive parts of the building, including one on the corner that was built in 1923, appeared to have suffered minimal to no damage. I’m thinking that perhaps they were spared by a firewall:
For now-obvious reasons, I’m optimistic that much the Bristow Motor Co. building will be repaired with a minimum of fuss.