A recent fire damaged two guest rooms at the Fender’s River Road Resort in Needles, California, though the Route 66 landmark still is operating.
Pat Bremer of the Road Trip Memories page on Facebook posted a photo of the damage during the July 4 holiday:
A clerk who answered the phone at Fender’s said the blaze damaged two rooms used for overnight guests, plus a maid’s room.
However, she said Fender’s will continue to serve overnight guests with its remaining rooms. She said the owners are “sorting out” insurance claims to repair the fire-scorched rooms.
Fender’s, which dates to the 1960s, sits on a section of highway that once was part of the 1912 National Old Trails Road that linked Baltimore to Los Angeles.
Fender’s has seen its share of triumph and tragedy in recent years. In 2019, its long-dark neon sign was restored after a years-long fundraising effort. Earlier this year, beloved manager Rosie Ramos died after a battle with cancer.
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