The tenuous Route 66 link to the century-old Casper’s diner in Springfield

Though I've written on this website for a long time (next year will be 15 years), I still occasionally discover things that I apparently have overlooked. Casper's diner in Springfield, Missouri, is one of those I've overlooked. And there may be a good reason for that. According to a recent article in The Standard, Casper's … Continue reading The tenuous Route 66 link to the century-old Casper’s diner in Springfield

Cucamonga Service Station wins Governor’s Award for preservation

The restored Cucamonga Service Station along Route 66 in Rancho Cucamonga, California, on Friday received one of six of the Governor's Historic Preservation Awards. The annual awards are sponsored by the California Office of Historic Preservation and California State Parks to projects, people and organizations "whose contributions demonstrate significant achievements in preserving the heritage of California," according … Continue reading Cucamonga Service Station wins Governor’s Award for preservation

Cucamonga Service Station added to National Register

The century-old Cucamonga Service Station along Route 66 in Rancho Cucamonga, California, recently was designated to the National Register of Historic Places. The listing to the National Register was effective July 23, according to an email Friday from the National Park Service. The former gas station at 9670 Foothill Blvd. (aka Route 66) now serves … Continue reading Cucamonga Service Station added to National Register

Trees to honor veterans planted along Route 66 in Upland

Dozens of trees recently were planted along Route 66 in Upland, California, as living tributes to military veterans. The trees were planted along Upland’s Memorial Park on Foothill Boulevard (aka Route 66) in late April. According to The Daily Bulletin: Volunteers and city officials helped plant 79 trees in the park April 21, as part of … Continue reading Trees to honor veterans planted along Route 66 in Upland

Cucamonga Service Station wins state preservation award

The century-old Cucamonga Service Station in Rancho Cucamonga, California, recently received a prestigious preservation honor. The old Route 66 gas station received one of two Preservation Design Awards from the California Preservation Foundation on Sept. 29. The California Preservation Foundation celebrates and recognizes exemplary work in historic preservation, restoration, rehabilitation, sustainability, studies, reports and other significant categories in the preservation … Continue reading Cucamonga Service Station wins state preservation award

Museum unearths Red Chief Motel diner mural

A museum recently uncovered a nearly forgotten Native American-themed mural from the diner of the Red Chief Motel in Rancho Cucamonga, California. Officials at the Cooper Regional History Museum in nearby Upland, California, recently took the mural out of storage and put it on display. The Red Chief's owners donated the mural in 1979 when the motel was about to be … Continue reading Museum unearths Red Chief Motel diner mural

Richfield sign removed temporarily at Cucamonga Service Station

A few Route 66 aficionados became alarmed when they saw in February the Richfield sign atop the restored Cucamonga Service Station in Rancho Cucamonga, California, had vanished. Don't worry, folks. The sign's absence turns out to be temporary. The station's owners eventually will reinstall and lower by two feet the Richfield sign to satisfy the owner of … Continue reading Richfield sign removed temporarily at Cucamonga Service Station

Red Hill Coffee Shop gets new owner

The historic Red Hill Coffee Shop along Route 66 in Rancho Cucamonga, California, will have a new owner Tuesday. Jim Moffatt, who owned the restaurant at 8111 Foothill Blvd. (Route 66) for 40 years, will turn the keys over to Gabby Sanchez, reported the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin. Moffatt kept a lid on the transaction, … Continue reading Red Hill Coffee Shop gets new owner

Gilberto’s Lounge now is Mustang Sally’s

Gilberto's Lounge, a mainstay dive bar along Route 66 in Rancho Cucamonga, California, since the late 1960s, changed hands and now is Mustang Sally's, according to the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin. Longtime owner Ken Gilbert was supposed to have sold his business more than a year ago, but the sale fell through. The bar kept … Continue reading Gilberto’s Lounge now is Mustang Sally’s

Cucamonga Service Station reopens as a museum

The century-old Cucamonga Service Station along Route 66 in Rancho Cucamonga, California, opened a new chapter in its existence as a museum during a grand reopening Wednesday, according to the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin. The Route 66 IECA gathered about $100,000 from fundraisers to help restore the station. And the group keeps making improvements to … Continue reading Cucamonga Service Station reopens as a museum