The 96-year-old Circle Cinema recently launched a building and maintenance fund to help keep the venue going well into its next century. The operators of the Route 66 landmark said the building is in good shape, but it's old enough that an urgent repair issue arises now and then, according to KJRH-TV in Tulsa. When … Continue reading Nearly century-old Circle Cinema in Tulsa launches a building and maintenance fund
Category: Preservation
Duarte Historical Society to honor the Hellers when it dedicates Route 66 Room on June 30
The Duarte Historical Society & Museum in Duarte, California, will honor Claudia and Alan Heller when it dedicates a new Route 66 Room on June 30. The San Gabriel Valley Tribune reported the ceremony will be at 3 p.m. that day at the historical society's museum at 777 Encanto Parkway (map here). Claudia Heller was … Continue reading Duarte Historical Society to honor the Hellers when it dedicates Route 66 Room on June 30
Camp Cajon will mark its 105th birthday on July 4
Camp Cajon, a defunct motor camp along Route 66 in Southern California's Cajon Pass, will celebrate 105 years on July 4 with two guided hikes, a program on its history and information from local historical groups. Mark Landis, a historical columnist for the San Bernardino County Sun, had the details on the event, which runs … Continue reading Camp Cajon will mark its 105th birthday on July 4
Albert Okura’s son tries to keep his father’s dream alive at Amboy
A few days ago, the Los Angeles Times (via AOL) published a lengthy story about how the son of the late Albert Okura, owner of the Route 66 town of Amboy, California, is trying to keep that dream alive. The story by Alex Wigglesworth is worth reading in its entirety. But a few nuggets stand … Continue reading Albert Okura’s son tries to keep his father’s dream alive at Amboy
Wings of Freedom in Tulsa erects repurposed Saratoga Motor Hotel sign
A few days ago, the Wings of Freedom organization of Tulsa erected a repurposed Saratoga Motor Hotel sign made for its sober-living facility at the former motel site. Wings of Freedom posted images of the new sign being installed, along with an image of the old sign. Oklahoma Route 66 Association President Rhys Martin also … Continue reading Wings of Freedom in Tulsa erects repurposed Saratoga Motor Hotel sign
Painted Desert Inn in eastern Arizona marks its 100th year
The Painted Desert Inn is celebrating its 100th year this month, though it started under another name and was in danger of being torn down during the mid-1970s. To celebrate the centennial, the surrounding Petrified Forest National Park in eastern Arizona will offer free activities for families on June 21-23 along with moonlight-guided tours of … Continue reading Painted Desert Inn in eastern Arizona marks its 100th year
Astro Motel in Amarillo to be converted into housing for homeless veterans
The Astro Motel off Route 66 on the west side of Amarillo, Texas, will become a housing complex for homeless veterans. The Amarillo Globe-News reported that Homeless Heroes of Amarillo had secured the $565,000 needed to purchase the property at 5703 W. Amarillo Blvd. (aka Route 66). The current 20-room configuration will be turned into … Continue reading Astro Motel in Amarillo to be converted into housing for homeless veterans
Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo marking its 50th anniversary this month
The landmark Cadillac Ranch on Amarillo's west side is celebrating its 50th year this month, with a show at the Amarillo Museum of Art through Aug. 15. Texas Highways published a terrific article about the Cadillac Ranch art installation off Route 66, including its genesis back in 1974 and photos from that time. I commend … Continue reading Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo marking its 50th anniversary this month
Professor seeks to document and preserve examples of giraffe rock architecture
A professor in Missouri wants to document and preserve so-called giraffe-rock architecture that's rapidly disappearing in the Ozarks region. For the uninitiated, giraffe rock describes colorfully built structures dating to the early 20th century that used native rock such as chert, limestone or sandstone. Several prominent examples of the architecture can be seen along Route … Continue reading Professor seeks to document and preserve examples of giraffe rock architecture
Former Boots Court motel manager Deborah “Debbie Dee” Real dies
Deborah "Debbie Dee" Real, a manager for the Boots Court motel in Carthage, Missouri, during a key time in its revival, has died. She was 73. Real regularly greeted overnight visitors in the Route 66 motel's front office when Deb Harvey and her sister, Priscilla Bledsaw, owned it. The sisters oversaw improvements to the motel, … Continue reading Former Boots Court motel manager Deborah “Debbie Dee” Real dies