The Albuquerque City Council is budgeting $300,000 to begin planning for a Route 66 centennial event in 2026. KRQE-TV quoted city councilor Klarissa Pena, who summarized why she thought the celebration would be important: “Communities throughout the nation suffered a decline of the historic route when highways were built, so what do we do to … Continue reading City of Albuquerque budgets $300,000 for Route 66 centennial celebration in 2026
Tag: Albuquerque
Albuquerque resident and racing legend Bobby Unser dies at 87
Bobby Unser, who cut his teeth building cars at his dad's shop along Route 66 in Albuquerque before becoming a legend with his brothers in the auto-racing world, died of natural causes Sunday in his hometown. He was 87. Unser won 35 major races during a nearly 30-year career, including the Indianapolis 500 three times. … Continue reading Albuquerque resident and racing legend Bobby Unser dies at 87
Original Bobcat Bite on Old Las Vegas Highway in Sante Fe to reopen in May
The original Bobcat Bite restaurant along Old Las Vegas Highway (aka Route 66) in Santa Fe, New Mexico, is scheduled to reopen in May after closing about eight years ago. The Bobcat Bite, which opened in 1953, became well-known over the years for its green chile cheeseburger. According to the Santa Fe New Mexican: The … Continue reading Original Bobcat Bite on Old Las Vegas Highway in Sante Fe to reopen in May
Albuquerque Police substation in Nob Hill once was a Valentine diner
A longtime Nob Hill substation for the Albuquerque Police Department along Route 66 once had a far different purpose -- it was a Valentine diner, also along Route 66. The substation has stood there for 24 years at Girard Boulevard and Central Avenue (aka Route 66). KRQE-TV has the rest of the story: While it … Continue reading Albuquerque Police substation in Nob Hill once was a Valentine diner
Albuquerque-area officials break ground on Route 66 Visitor Center
Officials from the Albuquerque area on Monday officially broke ground on construction of the Route 66 Visitor Center on Nine Mile Hill on the city's west side. According to KRQE-TV, plans for the visitors center had been percolating for almost 30 years: Since 1992, community leaders in southwest Albuquerque have been working toward the groundbreaking … Continue reading Albuquerque-area officials break ground on Route 66 Visitor Center
El Vado Motel developer to revamp Imperial Inn Motel in Albuquerque
The same developer who revamped the El Vado Motel and Monterey Motel in Albuquerque also will transform another Route 66 motel in that city -- the Imperial Inn Motel. According to Albuquerque Business First (subscription required), the motel will become a mix of residential, restaurants and retail: The city announced Saturday it is moving forward … Continue reading El Vado Motel developer to revamp Imperial Inn Motel in Albuquerque
Frontier Restaurant in Albuquerque marks 50 years
The iconic Frontier Restaurant in Albuquerque marked its 50th year in business earlier this week. The Albuquerque Journal posted a story about the eatery at 2400 Central Ave. (aka Route 66): “It’s sort of like a melting pot where people come and meet,” said Dorothy Rainosek, Frontier co-founder and owner. [...]Rainosek said when she and … Continue reading Frontier Restaurant in Albuquerque marks 50 years
Construction set to begin soon on Route 66 Visitor Center in west Albuquerque
Bernalillo County announced it selected a contractor to build the nearly $10 million Route 66 Visitor Center on Albuquerque's west side and that construction would begin next month. The county stated in a news release Wednesday it authorized the county manager to execute and approve the construction agreement with Enterprise Builders in the amount of … Continue reading Construction set to begin soon on Route 66 Visitor Center in west Albuquerque
Shop-local initiative helps Route 66 businesses in Albuquerque during holiday
Two initiatives by the City of Albuquerque reportedly have helped businesses along the Central Avenue (aka Route 66) corridor during the holiday season. Craig Turpin of Empire Board Game Library told KOB-TV the city's Route 66 Shop & Glow, which featured light sculptures, helped keep his sales the same as last year, if not higher. … Continue reading Shop-local initiative helps Route 66 businesses in Albuquerque during holiday
Enchanted Trails RV Park in Albuquerque erects hubcap tree in time for Christmas
The Enchanted Trails RV Park and Trading Post in west Albuquerque recently erected a 17-foot-tall hubcap tree after the proprietor there spent nearly five years collecting parts for it. According to KRQE-TV in Albuquerque, the tree consists of about 300 hubcaps compiled by Vicki Ashcraft, president of the business. She began collecting hubcaps in 2016, … Continue reading Enchanted Trails RV Park in Albuquerque erects hubcap tree in time for Christmas