A group of volunteers and members of the New Mexico Route 66 Association began efforts Thursday and Friday to restore nail-damaged neon tubing on historic signs along Route 66 in Tucumcari, New Mexico. Among the signs worked on were TeePee Curios, Del's Restaurant, La Cita restaurant, Motel Safari and Loretta's Burrito Hut. Fast TV Network … Continue reading Volunteers, NM Route 66 Association begin restoration of neon signs in Tucumcari
Tag: Johnnie Meier
New Mexico Route 66 Association receives grant to produce neon-repair video
The New Mexico Route 66 Association announced Friday it had received a cost-share grant to produce an instructional video titled titled "Do-It-Yourself Neon Sign Servicing and Repair." The association received $7,500 from the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program to produce the $1,500 video. The association gave more details in a news release: The association is … Continue reading New Mexico Route 66 Association receives grant to produce neon-repair video
City Tucumcari approves landmarks ordinance for historic Route 66 neon signs
By a 3-2 vote, the Tucumcari City Commission last week approved a landmark ordinance for the town's several dozen historic neon signs along its Route 66 corridor. The proposed ordinance had been rejected in December when it first was introduced, but it was reworked and resubmitted last month. Johnnie Meier, a former president of the … Continue reading City Tucumcari approves landmarks ordinance for historic Route 66 neon signs
Tucumcari reconsiders, advances landmark sign ordinance proposal
After prodding by officers from the New Mexico Route 66 Association, the Tucumcari City Commission last week passed a first reading of a proposed landmark ordinance for the town's historic Route 66 neon signs. However, final passage by the commission likely faces an uphill battle because of concerns about the ordinance infringing on property rights. … Continue reading Tucumcari reconsiders, advances landmark sign ordinance proposal
Tucumcari commissioners reject landmark ordinance for historic neon signs
The Tucumcari City Commission last week by a 3-2 vote rejected a landmark ordinance that would have added a layer of protection for historic neon signs -- a sign of how property rights make such proposals a tough sell. One of the commissioners who rejected the plan, Todd Duplantis, owns two Route 66 restaurants in … Continue reading Tucumcari commissioners reject landmark ordinance for historic neon signs
New Mexico Route 66 Association wades into, then retreats from sign-preservation issue
The New Mexico Route 66 Association on Sept. 5 posted a statement about the thorny issue of historic neon signs disappearing along the highway, particularly in New Mexico, then deleted the post days later. The post, which I'd monitored to read the responses, generated more than 150 comments at last count and plenty of dissatisfaction … Continue reading New Mexico Route 66 Association wades into, then retreats from sign-preservation issue
Club Cafe signs removed from Santa Rosa
The two remaining neon signs for the long-closed Club Cafe in Santa Rosa, New Mexico, were removed Friday, according to several folks on social media who snapped photos of the dismantling. Daniel Chavez wrote on Facebook on Friday afternoon: So long Club Café neon signs. I’m sure you were a welcoming sight for many travelers … Continue reading Club Cafe signs removed from Santa Rosa
Grants Cafe sign disappears, reportedly purchased by a collector
The historic Grants Cafe neon sign in Grants, New Mexico, was taken down earlier this month after it reportedly was purchased by a collector. An exact date when the sign was taken down wasn't available, but Sam Fiorella said the sign still was up when she went through town Aug. 9. Blue Miller -- best … Continue reading Grants Cafe sign disappears, reportedly purchased by a collector
Johnnie Meier frustrated with delays over Santa Rosa Route 66 museum
Johnnie Meier last week publicly voiced his frustrations with delays over establishing a Route 66 museum in Santa Rosa, New Mexico, and later said alternate sites for the museum likely "are on the table." The Ilfeld-Johnson Warehouse in Santa Rosa. Meier, who owns the Classical Gas Museum in Embudo, New Mexico, and is a former … Continue reading Johnnie Meier frustrated with delays over Santa Rosa Route 66 museum
Classical Gas Museum owner makes new pitch for Route 66 museum in Santa Rosa
Johnnie Meier, owner of the Classical Gas Museum and a longtime Route 66 advocate, presented a new set of ideas for establishing a Route 66 museum in Santa Rosa, New Mexico. According to the May 16 print edition of The Communicator newspaper in Santa Rosa, the city recently took control of the refurbished and century-old … Continue reading Classical Gas Museum owner makes new pitch for Route 66 museum in Santa Rosa