The Hotrod Hangout Speed Shop & Diner, which will open soon in Galena, Kansas, will include an original Valentine diner operating as soon as this spring. The speed shop inside will include elements of an old-time Fina gas station and a drive-in theatre, complete with a ticket booth, which the owner hopes will become a … Continue reading Forthcoming Hotrod Hangout in Galena soon will include an operating Valentine diner
Category: Preservation
Promoter wants to buy Gold Dome in Oklahoma City, turn it into a music venue
A Tulsa-based music promoter wants to buy the closed Gold Dome building in Oklahoma City and transform it into a live music venue. Mike Brown, president of Kismet Koncerts, has requested $3 million in public assistance for the project, reported The Oklahoman (subscription required). The money would come from tax-increment financing. Kismet owns and operates … Continue reading Promoter wants to buy Gold Dome in Oklahoma City, turn it into a music venue
Albuquerque police close Tewa Lodge; owner says he’ll consider buyout offer
The City of Albuquerque last month closed the crime-ridden Tewa Lodge. Still, the owner said he'll consider a buyout offer of the motel, including from the city or a private developer. Several Albuquerque news outlets reported on the Route 66 motel's closure after an official-involved shooting there. In addition to rampant crime there, reports also … Continue reading Albuquerque police close Tewa Lodge; owner says he’ll consider buyout offer
Gemini Giant returns to Wilmington with a big welcome-home bash
The Gemini Giant fiberglass statue, which once stood at the closed Launching Pad Drive-In restaurant, returned to Wilmington, Illinois, when it was dedicated Saturday at its new location at South Island Park. The event featured live music, a ceremonial ribbon-cutting, a mobile diner and commemorative memorabilia. The 28-foot-tall Gemini Giant returned to Wilmington with a … Continue reading Gemini Giant returns to Wilmington with a big welcome-home bash
Former Hotel Blue in Albuquerque expected to reopen in early 2025
The former Hotel Blue in downtown Albuquerque is expected to reopen in the first quarter of 2025 after renovations. According to Albuquerque Business First (subscription required), the hotel at Central Avenue (aka Route 66) and Eighth Street will be rechristened as Arrive Albuquerque. Los Angeles-based Palisociety is developing it. The Arrive Albuquerque project was announced … Continue reading Former Hotel Blue in Albuquerque expected to reopen in early 2025
Ground broken for The Table restaurant at long-closed flour mill in Springfield
Two sisters recently held a ceremonial groundbreaking for a restaurant that will be built at a century-old flour mill in Springfield, Missouri, that's been closed for more than 50 years. Sheri Perkins and Renee Textor moved shovels of dirt to begin construction for The Table at 610 N. Prospect Ave., near the intersection of Chestnut … Continue reading Ground broken for The Table restaurant at long-closed flour mill in Springfield
Op-ed urges land that includes La Bajada Hill be declared a national monument
We usually don't feature letters to the editor from newspapers. But this one recently published in the Santa Fe New Mexican is intriguing enough to take a closer look. Andrew Black wrote that President Joe Biden and Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, in the final days of their administrations, ought to declare the 106,000-acre Caja del … Continue reading Op-ed urges land that includes La Bajada Hill be declared a national monument
Relighting ceremony held for former Saratoga Motor Inn sign in Tulsa
The Wings of Freedom sober-living organization held a relighting ceremony Friday night for the repurposed, 66-foot-tall neon sign at the former Saratoga Motor Inn in Tulsa. Ken Busby of the Route 66 Alliance in Tulsa was there to capture the moment in video: Red Fork Depot in Tulsa also posted this image: More from Cloudless … Continue reading Relighting ceremony held for former Saratoga Motor Inn sign in Tulsa
Motel DuBeau in Flagstaff marks its 95th year
The Motel DuBeau in Flagstaff, Arizona, still is going after 95 years, and the owners hope to have its famous tower sign fully relighted by Route 66's centennial in 2026. Peter Corbett, a longtime reporter on Route 66 businesses in Arizona, recently posted a story on the motel in the Flagstaff Business News. John and … Continue reading Motel DuBeau in Flagstaff marks its 95th year
Grand reopening set for Nov. 20 at The Imperial motel in Albuquerque
The reborn Imperial Inn motel in Albuquerque, also known as simply The Imperial, is holding its grand reopening celebration from 3 to 6 p.m. on Nov. 20. KOB-TV in Albuquerque the celebration will include tours of the motel's retail spaces, some of which are still available for rent. The motel's website states: This 1960's gem … Continue reading Grand reopening set for Nov. 20 at The Imperial motel in Albuquerque