Fire damages Texas Ivy Antiques in Amarillo

Texas Ivy Antiques, a longtime Route 66 supporter in Amarillo, Texas, sustained damage in a suspected electrical fire on Tuesday. Dora Meroney, one of the co-owners, said the fire was "bad, but not a total loss," and posted this message on Facebook later that day: No one was here when it happened so no one … Continue reading Fire damages Texas Ivy Antiques in Amarillo

Amarillo’s Natatorium marks its 100th anniversary this summer

The Natatorium, also known as The Nat, in Amarillo, Texas, will mark the 100th anniversary of its completion in July. The approaching centennial first was flagged by Charlie, a Route 66 fan, at Mix94.1 radio in Amarillo. Natatorium is just a fancy word for swimming pool. It opened up in the summer of 1922.The Natatorium … Continue reading Amarillo’s Natatorium marks its 100th anniversary this summer

Historic Herring Hotel in Amarillo will be restored and reopened

The historic but long-closed Herring Hotel in downtown Amarillo, Texas, recently landed new owners that plan to restore and reopen the 14-story building within the next three years. Tipped off by a reader, county property records indicate the building was acquired by Herring Hotel Development Co. LLC in October via a warranty deed. A new … Continue reading Historic Herring Hotel in Amarillo will be restored and reopened

Pappy’s Soda Jerk restaurant in Amarillo is housed in a rare 1929 Ford Model AA

The next time you're in Amarillo looking for a meal during the weekend, keep your eyes peeled for a restored 1929 Ford Model AA that now houses Pappy's Soda Jerk restaurant. Robert Rowley's vehicle often can be found parked on Fridays and Saturdays at his wife's business, Amarillo Developmental Gymnastics Center; Tripp's Harley Davidson, or … Continue reading Pappy’s Soda Jerk restaurant in Amarillo is housed in a rare 1929 Ford Model AA

Wildfires near Route 66 corridor in west Amarillo destroy four homes, burn nearly 150 acres

A wind-whipped grass fire Monday afternoon on the west side of Amarillo, Texas, burned nearly 150 acres and destroyed four homes and 11 outbuildings. The fire occurred mostly in the Indian Hills neighborhood in west Amarillo, where an old alignment of Route 66 runs. Update: the #CadillacFire in Potter County is 128.8 acres and 60% … Continue reading Wildfires near Route 66 corridor in west Amarillo destroy four homes, burn nearly 150 acres

Fire reported at abandoned Morning Star Motel, aka Ranchotel, in Amarillo

Firefighters put out a blaze at the abandoned Morning Star Motel in Amarillo, Texas, that was believed to have been started by homeless people. The motel also is known as the Ranchotel or Ranch-O-Tel. According to several local media outlets, including the Amarillo Globe-News, fire from one of the rooms of the motel at 2501 … Continue reading Fire reported at abandoned Morning Star Motel, aka Ranchotel, in Amarillo

Second Buc-ee’s store coming near Route 66 corridor, this time in Amarillo

A second Buc-ee's convenience store near the Route 66 corridor soon will be built, this time on the east side of Amarillo, Texas. Barely three weeks ago, the city council of Springfield, Missouri, approved incentives for the construction of a Buc-ee's on the city's northeast side. That one will be open 12 to 15 months … Continue reading Second Buc-ee’s store coming near Route 66 corridor, this time in Amarillo

Amarillo group gives Braceros Downtown a $20,000 grant to restore neon sign

The Braceros Downtown restaurant in Amarillo recently received a $20,000 grant from Center City of Amarillo to help restore its big neon sign. The Amarillo Globe-News reported last week the nonprofit organization presented Jaime Santillá, owner of the restaurant, with the grant after he completed extensive interior and exterior work on the 1927 structure at … Continue reading Amarillo group gives Braceros Downtown a $20,000 grant to restore neon sign

A closer look at the long-closed Ranchotel in Amarillo

In the last few months, a fellow by the name of Charlie has posted a series of articles about Route 66 and its landmarks in Amarillo for the Mix 94.1 radio station. One of the latest is a detailed article about the long-shuttered Ranchotel along the Sixth Street alignment, just west of downtown. Charlie writes … Continue reading A closer look at the long-closed Ranchotel in Amarillo

Amarillo city council approves putting Route 66 emblem on big water tower

The Amarillo City Council on Tuesday approved painting a modified Route 66 shield on a huge water tower on Southwest Sixth Avenue (aka Route 66) near South Independence Street. According to KFDA-TV in Amarillo: Assistant Planning Director Emily Koller said, neighborhood boosters Historic Sixth on Route 66 and the San Jacinto Neighborhood Association raised eighteen … Continue reading Amarillo city council approves putting Route 66 emblem on big water tower