New neon sign, lizard statue goes up in Kingman

Route 66 author and tour guide Jim Hinckley recently sent a long list of additions in Kingman, Arizona -- including a new neon sign along Route 66 and a statue of a big lizard. Based on those two things, it's safe to say Kingman no longer is a sleepy Route 66 town. Hinckley wrote: Improvements … Continue reading New neon sign, lizard statue goes up in Kingman

Bob Boze Bell’s garage find

Bob Boze Bell, an author, artist and owner of True West magazine, wrote on his blog he recently had found some long-lost photographs from the 1950s -- many of them on Route 66 -- in a yellowed box in his garage. He wrote: Wish I would have had them when we were doing "The 66 … Continue reading Bob Boze Bell’s garage find

Kingman considers gateway arch designs; budget concerns remain

Kingman, Arizona, is considering five designs of a gateway arch that would welcome visitors to its downtown, but all the options would cost more than what's been budgeted. A report in the Kingman Daily Miner newspaper provided details behind the arch options: Across Andy Devine Avenue (aka Route 66) at Locomotive Park. Cost: $170,000. Several … Continue reading Kingman considers gateway arch designs; budget concerns remain

Powerhouse Visitors Center in Kingman finishes renovations

The Powerhouse Visitors Center in Kingman, Arizona, late last month finished $250,000 in remodeling officials believe will increase the facility's revenue. The Kingman Daily Miner reported the city funded the renovations, along with contributions from the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona. The same contractor, T.R. Orr, performed initial renovations on the facility 20 years ago. … Continue reading Powerhouse Visitors Center in Kingman finishes renovations

What to do about the deteriorating Hotel Beale in Kingman?

The century-old Hotel Beale and its rooftop sign in downtown Kingman, Arizona, are one of the most-photographed landmarks in the city, but it has been closed for nearly 20 years and deteriorating because of it apparently neglectful and intractable owner. Kingman Daily Miner columnist Hubble Ray Smith lays out the problems with Hotel Beale, citing … Continue reading What to do about the deteriorating Hotel Beale in Kingman?

Cool Springs Camp needs new caretakers

The owner of Cool Springs Camp, on Oatman Road, aka old Route 66, between Oatman and Kingman, Arizona, needs a caretaker to look over the historic property. Owner Ned Leutchner said one caretaker he enlisted early last year is moving to Colorado to set up a Wounded Warrior retreat, and another is moving on to … Continue reading Cool Springs Camp needs new caretakers

Time-lapse videos cruise Arizona’s Route 66

Robert S., known for the YouTube handle of "Forgotten Hwy," recently uploaded videos of time-lapse drives on Route 66 from the California border to the middle of Arizona. Forgotten Hwy uploaded several Route 66 videos from the Mojave Desert earlier this year. The videos are well-produced and edited. plus contain annotations about certain landmarks and … Continue reading Time-lapse videos cruise Arizona’s Route 66

More 1990s videos from a Route 66 journey in 1959 Cadillac

Anthony Reichardt has uploaded more videos from when he traveled Route 66 during the early and mid-1990s in a 1959 Cadillac. Reichardt's YouTube channel for the videos is here. The clips are notable for historical reasons, as many of the places he visited have vanished or changed drastically. The first video is when Reichardt and a … Continue reading More 1990s videos from a Route 66 journey in 1959 Cadillac

Neon sign returns to Kingman’s Route 66 for first time in nearly 70 years

This week, a neon sign on Route 66 in Kingman, Arizona, that was taken down during the late 1940s was returned to the Mother Road in the same city where it was erected. Route 66 author Jim Hinckley explained in an email: The sign stood on Chadwick Drive. This road carried National Old Trails Highway … Continue reading Neon sign returns to Kingman’s Route 66 for first time in nearly 70 years

The first episode of “Jim Hinckley’s America — A Trek Along Route 66”

Promote Kingman recently released the first in what will be a series of videos called "Jim Hinckley’s America -- A Trek Along Route 66." The video by MyMarketing Designs was screened a few weeks ago in Kingman, Arizona, and it recently was embedded on the Promote Kingman webpage. It features local author and Route 66 advocate Jim Hinckley … Continue reading The first episode of “Jim Hinckley’s America — A Trek Along Route 66”