Panel seeks to remodel Ilfeld-Johnson Warehouse, apply for Route 66 grant to boost Santa Rosa

The Guadalupe County Development Corporation's board plans $730,000 in renovations for the historic Ilfield-Johnson Warehouse in downtown Santa Rosa, New Mexico. Local officials also are applying for a grant from the New Mexico Route 66 Centennial Grant Program to improve business facades along Route 66. Longtime Route 66 News readers probably remember previous efforts to … Continue reading Panel seeks to remodel Ilfeld-Johnson Warehouse, apply for Route 66 grant to boost Santa Rosa

Sun ‘n Sand Restaurant in Santa Rosa closes

The Sun 'n Sand Restaurant, which operated in the shadow of the distinctive neon sign for the long-closed motel by the same name in Santa Rosa, New Mexico, closed last Saturday. The restaurant at 2050 Historic Route 66, which had erratic hours in recent years, announced the closure on Facebook. Reached by Facebook Messenger, a … Continue reading Sun ‘n Sand Restaurant in Santa Rosa closes

Blue Hole in Santa Rosa to reopen on Aug. 30 for scuba and free diving

The landmark Blue Hole in Santa Rosa, New Mexico, will reopen on Aug. 30 for scuba diving and free diving after an underwater wall collapse prompted its closing for weeks. The City of Santa Rosa on Monday announced on Facebook the forthcoming reopening of diving at the site. The Blue Hole reopened to swimmers on … Continue reading Blue Hole in Santa Rosa to reopen on Aug. 30 for scuba and free diving

Blue Hole of Santa Rosa may partially reopen by this weekend

The mayor of Santa Rosa, New Mexico, said the city's landmark Blue Hole may partly reopen by this weekend after a wall collapse forced its closing in mid-June. According to a report in the Albuquerque Journal: Santa Rosa Mayor Nelson Kotiar told the Journal that barring any setbacks, the Blue Hole, which is owned by … Continue reading Blue Hole of Santa Rosa may partially reopen by this weekend

Blue Hole in Santa Rosa is closed indefinitely due to the collapse of a wall

The Blue Hole of Santa Rosa, New Mexico, will remain closed indefinitely after an underwater boulder broke off last week and reduced the water flow at the site. According to the Friday print edition of The Communicator newspaper in Santa Rosa, Mayor Nelson Kotiar said a large rock broke off and sank to the bottom … Continue reading Blue Hole in Santa Rosa is closed indefinitely due to the collapse of a wall

The two tragedies that beset the Blue Hole in Santa Rosa

Most Route 66 fans know of the fabled Blue Hole in Santa Rosa, New Mexico, as a popular tourist site, especially for a dip on hot summer days, and a spot for scuba-dive training. What many don't know, however, is the twin tragedies that occurred within the deep underwater caverns at the site -- one … Continue reading The two tragedies that beset the Blue Hole in Santa Rosa

Santa Rosa rescinds decision to place Our Lady of Guadalupe statue on city property

The City of Santa Rosa, New Mexico, last week rescinded an August decision to place an Our Lady of Guadalupe statue on city-owned land in the downtown area. According to reporting by The Communicator (print only) in Santa Rosa, the council reconsidered after the American Civil Liberties Union argued the statue would violate the state … Continue reading Santa Rosa rescinds decision to place Our Lady of Guadalupe statue on city property

Longtime owner of The Comet II Restaurant and Drive-In in Santa Rosa dies

Johnny Martinez Jr., the longtime owner and chef of the landmark Comet II Restaurant and Drive-In in Santa Rosa, New Mexico, died Friday. He was 88. One local expressed his condolences: The town's former newspaper publisher weighed in: According to his obituary: At an early age Johnny became interested in cooking and made it a … Continue reading Longtime owner of The Comet II Restaurant and Drive-In in Santa Rosa dies

Western Motel in Santa Rosa torn down, Sun ‘n Sand Motel likely is next

The closed Western Motel in Santa Rosa, New Mexico, was torn down a few days ago, and the similarly shuttered Sun 'n Sand Motel in town likely is next, reported a local newspaper. The latest print edition of The Communicator newspaper, based in Santa Rosa, posted a photo with the headline "History Passing" and this … Continue reading Western Motel in Santa Rosa torn down, Sun ‘n Sand Motel likely is next

Annual bloom of endangered Pecos sunflowers in Santa Rosa is happening now

The annual bloom of endangered Pecos sunflowers in a nature preserve just off old Route 66 in Santa Rosa, New Mexico, is occurring now and should continue for the next 10 days or so. The sunflowers congregate along desert wetlands. The ones in Santa Rosa are fed by the overflow waters of the nearby Blue … Continue reading Annual bloom of endangered Pecos sunflowers in Santa Rosa is happening now