Comments

Here are comments left from visitors to Route 66 World:

100 Years of Pictures – Route 66 in Arizona

Guy Albert

When I told my friends I was going to Fort Sill from Central Wisconsin in 1955, a few asked me if I was going on Route 66. That was the first I heard of it. I have been a fan ever since. Traveled parts several times since then, and am planning more trips. I no longer have my 1947 Studebaker, so will have to go by SUV.

‘On the Fifth day of Christmas, Route 66 gave to me…’

Jane

Thanks for your shoutout about the Wagon Wheel in Cuba, which continues to improve…
We are proud of its transformation and progress and of our Route 66 legacy in Cuba, Missouri and the Wagon Wheel’s part in it. The Route 66 Community has been very supportive. Travel safely in 2012.

‘On the First day of Christmas, Route 66 gave to me…’

Jim Conkle

Ed, you once again step up and add something of great value to the road, or at least to us roadies.
Hope all is well with you we missed you at the Needles event.
MERRY CHRISTMAS & A HAPPY NEW YEAR.

‘On the Second day of Christmas, Route 66 gave to me…’

Jane

It’s nice of you to boost some of the Route 66 motels. Kevin and Nancy are doing a wonderful job and represent the true spirit of the road. Bless them for restoring a piece of history.

‘The 12 Days of Christmas’ – Route 66 Style – 2.0!

Becky’s Barn

“My” brick road – She was restored / extensively repaired this summer. Poor thing was marked with white paint to show the crews where the repairs were to be done. It looked like plastic surgeon markings! If we can only get the Curran Rd section to NOT be a class 3 truck route…

Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program Grant Awards – 2011

Judy Springs

Your preservation program is something I can actually get excited about. You have tangible results for tangible efforts.
My husband John and I publish 66 The Mother Road online magazine and I believe the grant program is newsworthy. Especially since we feature a restoration project in each publication.

Judy Springs

Route 66 Motel (66 Motel) – Needles CA

Sarah

I just wanted to say Thank you! I live in this town Needles and I love Route 66. I pass by the Motel everyday on my way to Bashas or Dollar Tree… But I say everytime it would be nice to see that sign with lights on. So thank you for your efforts in trying to improve this town. I am across your website through google.com.
Thank you for caring about our town!!

Updated Phillips 66 gas station – Tucumcari NM

Joe Loesch

You guys did a great job on the station! The video was very interesting and loads of fun to watch! I appreciate you sharing the experience with your fellow roadies. Thanks.

Sisters buy Boots Motel on Historic Route 66

Dean Bogart

I am very happy the Boots has found a new owner. They have much work ahead of them. Hopefully, they will find it feasible to remove the truss roof and return the Boots back to its classic Streamline Moderne look. Just removing the old plantings will make a huge visual difference. My wife and I live in Springfield, Missouri, and look forward to spending a night at the Boots in the future.

Updated pic of Gardner Street Car on Route 66

Willem Bor

It already looks great, I made a scale model of the Riviera Restaurant and the Streetcar. We saw them both burned down in 2010.

For Sale – Historic Valentine’s Diner Car in Winslow on Route 66

Al Morrissette

I was by there a few years ago and the place was closed for renovation back then I think that was 2008 or 09. I doubt they have a book of business and though this is probably a nice renovation start, it will need a total rework like the one in Clinton. A half acre in Winslow in this economy is probably between 20-25K just looking on the MLS. 85 K seems rather high for a small business that is closed.

Route 66 Museum – Pontiac IL

Joe Fogarty

I spent the first 22 years of my life growing up in Streator, have been in Colorado since. Every first week in September I try to get back to Streator to visit family, my brothers birthday is the 5th and the same weekend as CRUISE NIGHT!!! During my visit I very much enjoy this wonderful museum… just to take time and visit with the history and the wonderful volunteers…very relaxing, down home!

Also, Pontiac is a beautiful community, as is so many areas back there… I feel blessed that I grew up in an American Graffiti time and it still trives in this area… get to Streator for Cruise Night and visit Pontiac and this wonderful museum… go back in time & just relax! I am very much looking forward to visiting the museum this September as I hear there has been added a great Pontiac auto addition to it.

Thank you, Joe

Oldest Motel on Route 66 celebrates 75th Anniversary.

M.M. Gornell

I can’t be there, but congratulations and have a wonderful celebration. Everything they’ve done sounds wonderful!

Madeline Gornell

Motel demolition signals Route 66 makeover mission

Mike Dagney

How long will it be before the mayor and the Safe City Strike Force decide that all the old motels along Central Ave/RT 66 are eyesores, after that what? Kimo Theater…..They need to realize you can’t tear down and rebuild history…….

Route 66 Motel (66 Motel) – Needles CA

Judy Iannacone

I was so happy to see that there was still an original Rt 66 motel in existence. Then, after reading this article I was so very disappointed that it was being used for monthly rentals. I was, also somewhat surprised to hear that there wasn’t enough interest in it being used as a guest motel, as it seems to me, so many people from all over are eager to travel the Mother Road. I, for one, am planning to travel this Route and am researching the places that once were.

To (you) who offered, for free, to repaint and replace all the yellow bulbs on the original sign, I say a heartfelt “thank you”. It’s because of people, like you, that we still have some of the historic places on Rt. 66.

Route 66? Why not just take the Interstate?? – The Video!

Derek

Excellent presentation, thank you.

Route 66? Why not just take the Interstate?? – The Video!

RoadDog

Impressive. The hardest thing would have to be not looking at the slides to know where you’re at!

Route 66? Why not just take the Interstate?? – The Video!

Peter Scott

You’re an incredible presenter, although, I could not find the mistakes you had mentioned. Very informative, hope to be out on Route 66 in Arizona again soon!

Historic Route 66 gas station in Rancho Cucamonga – on the chopping block?

Raquel

This really makes me sad - I love that old building. I have a candle company and I’ve always thought of how cool it would be to turn it into a candle boutique.

…bummer

Let’s Show Ernie We Care!

Terry Kafides

Hi Ernie,

This is your National Route 66 Ambassador and Secretary of the California Route 66 Association, I want to wish you the very best in your recovery from me and all the Route 66 Association Members.

Get Well

Terry Kafides
National Route 66 Ambassador

Historic Route 66 gas station in Rancho Cucamonga – on the chopping block?

DynoDave

That is a shame. When my family and I take the time, and make the effort, to drive 66 and visit the towns it goes through, it is NOT to see the latest McDonalds building design, or God forbid, the latest drug store.

Buildings with history, buildings that have served the route most of it’s life, and buildings of architectural interest are the things I want to see.

Historic Route 66 gas station in Rancho Cucamonga – on the chopping block?

RT

Ed,
This is truly sad, and one of the most difficult challenges we face in Route 66 preservation, most especially in a state like California. The land is simply worth more than the building or business that sits on it, and it ends up being a matter of economics that few of us could do battle with.

The El Vado Motel in Albuquerque was a similar situation, with an owner that wanted around $650K for it, which was way more than the damaged, defunct and closed building was ever worth. He too wanted to develop it in another way, but at least the City interveened, came in and saved it for now. But alas they’re having problems finding any real quality developers, as with some of their other old motel projects, because it’s still a development that requires more money than it will ever be worth in the near future, especially with our current economic conditions. People just aren’t willing to risk that kind of money on a small building that needs so much repair.

In this case, the building seems to look pretty good, and as shown earlier, could even be repurposed into something like that architectural firm in Oklahoma. But you can’t force the owner to sell at a reasonable price, instead of the highest bidder or otherwise. The only hope in this case would be for the government to step in and help out, whether that’s local, state or federal.

It’s also why it’s so important we develop high quality products out there, as we take them. Because probably for every one we save, another 3 are vanishing, if we’re not raising the bar with quality businesses in our preservation efforts, they too may fall victim at some point in the near future, which means we didn’t really save them afterall?

Nice looking old gas station, thanks for sharing, and I wish we had one like it here…

Route 66 Motel (66 Motel) – Needles CA.

Crocodile Lile – crocodilelile.com

Ed,
We need a couple of hundred more like you out on the road. Thanks for all you do, maybe your attitude will spread.
Bob ”crocodile ” Lile
Amarillo 66

Losing a part of Route 66 in Missouri.

DynoDave

I’m sorry to read this. I hate to see these sort of changes, that detract from the leisurely travel pace of 66 Vs. an interstate.

I know there is already more work to do than Route 66 volunteers can handle, but perhaps the day will come when these parks can be saved from closing via volunteer labor for maintenance.

On the Twelth Day of Christmas – Route 66 gave to me…..

Earl Cory – theroadcorys.net

Thanks for the 12 days of Christmas stories and all your work.

Earl Cory

On the Twelth Day of Christmas – Route 66 gave to me…..

RoadDog

Sure enjoyed the 12 Days. Great job and one well done. Especially the last, very true one.

On the Ninth Day of Christmas – Route 66 gave to me…..

David Schwartz – Picsonroute66.com

Ed, wow I had no idea that you had featured me for the 9th day. Missed a few days of Christmas there came back to see what was going on and surprise! Thank you for the kind words about my work, and your calendar purchases as well!
I really appreciate what you are doing for the road and it’s people! Keep me posted what I can do to help! People like you help keep the dream alive! That’s one of the many things I love about route 66, is the dedication of the people that care so much for it!

Merry Christmas!
David Schwartz

The Blue Whale in Catoosa OK

Lee Lundberg

So glad to hear they are saving the whale. I was afraid I wouldn’t see, when I eventually take my trip.

Riviera Street Car – gone….

RoadDog

Glad to hear that it has been moved.
Gardner has really taken its Route 66 heritage to the next level and should be commended. I like their signage (both mounted and on the pavement) of all alignments through town.
Thanks for keeping us up on 66 events, especially those in your area.

Riviera Restaurant – Updated Pictures

Ondra

That is a shame. I have been there on the 10th May and took pictures of the Restaurant and the Cab. I thought it was very nice and I wondered why it was closed.
Together with my friend we took the entire Route 66 all the way by the oldest route possible. We even attempted to drive La Bajada The trip was great and it is sad to hear such bad news.
Ondra
Czech Republic

Trading Post

Ken ‘the landrunner’ Turmel

Great website, Ed! Keep up the great work that you’re doing for our cherished Mother Road.
Hope to meet you out on the open road soon. Until then,…
God Bless and Happy Trails!
Best Regards to You and Yours,
Ken Turmel

A few pics from the Red Carpet Tour

RoadDog

Great blog. I put it on my favorites.

Comments or questions are welcome.