Johnny Plath working on the motor of the rotosphere for El Comedor in Moriarty Johnny Plath, 68, a board member with the New Mexico Route 66 Association and a restorer of several historic neon signs along the route, died Friday after contracting the coronavirus. According to a news release Saturday from the association, Plath contracted … Continue reading Neon restorer, New Mexico Route 66 Association board member dies of COVID-19
Tag: New Mexico Route 66 Association
Article reveals more details about Glorieta Station’s sign collection in Albuquerque
A long-awaited feature in the New Mexico Route 66 Association's publication reveals fascinating details about the much-discussed (and cussed) Glorieta Station and its neon-sign collection in Albuquerque. Nick Gerlich, a marketing professor at West Texas A&M University and a Route 66 enthusiast, wrote the article for the current, spring 2020 edition of the association's Route … Continue reading Article reveals more details about Glorieta Station’s sign collection in Albuquerque
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
Mountain Lodge sign near Albuquerque endangered; locals hope to find a new site for it
The neon sign for the defunct Mountain Lodge motel east of Albuquerque faces a possible wrecking ball after the property landed a new owner who wants it removed quickly. Residents in the area are trying to find an alternate nearby site for the sign but face hurdles over the cost and a short time window. … Continue reading Mountain Lodge sign near Albuquerque endangered; locals hope to find a new site for it
Albuquerque collector gets historic sign after it can’t move to Route 66
Lord knows Glorieta Station's burgeoning neon sign collection in Albuquerque has been cussed and discussed on social media for months. But its latest acquisition probably was the best outcome for a restaurant that was moving to Route 66. Monroe's Mexican Food on Christmas Eve moved from its longtime location at 1520 Lomas Blvd. to a … Continue reading Albuquerque collector gets historic sign after it can’t move to Route 66
New Mexico Route 66 Association hands out three Heritage Awards
The New Mexico Route 66 Association recently gave out Heritage Awards to Glenn's Bakery in Gallup, May Cafe in Albuquerque and Pecos Theatre in Santa Rosa for their efforts at revitalization. The Pecos Theatre at 219 S. Fourth St. (aka Route 66) was honored for renovating the oldest theater on Route 66, built in 1917. … Continue reading New Mexico Route 66 Association hands out three Heritage Awards
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
New Mexico Route 66 Association marking 30th anniversary Saturday
The New Mexico Route 66 Association will mark its 30th birthday from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Enchanted Trails RV Park and Trading Post in west Albuquerque. The association will provide pizza, salad and soft drinks as part of the celebration. All are welcome, and one also can bring desserts to share. The … Continue reading New Mexico Route 66 Association marking 30th anniversary Saturday
VIDEOS: De Anza Motor Lodge sign taken down for restoration
Workers on Wednesday took down the neon sign for the De Anza Motor Lodge in Albuquerque to be restored -- one of many steps to rehabilitate the long-closed historic Route 66 property into a boutique motel. Melissa Lea Beasley, president of the New Mexico Route 66 Association, wrote in that group's Facebook page: Today the … Continue reading VIDEOS: De Anza Motor Lodge sign taken down for restoration