Along 66, Dec. 2020: The De Anza's Comeback and the Route 66 Centennial Commission Becomes Fact

DECEMBER 22

The De Anza Motor Lodge wins NAIOP award for Mixed Us/Multi-Family category.

Albuquerque, New Mexico.  The National Association of Industrial Affairs Properties gave them the prize.  The old motel is now apartments whose massing, scale, color, tones and textures reflect the original motel

The De Anza was built by Charles Wallace, a Zuni trader and Indian art collector in 1939.  The City of Albuquerque closed it in 2003.  Three attempts were made to bring it back to its former glory before this new success.

DECEMBER 23 

President Trump signs the Route 66 Centennial Commission Act bill into law.

The road's centennial, of course, is in 2026.  It was Senate Bill 1014 and signed into law along with six other bills.

The U.S. House of Representatives had earlier passed it by voice vote.  It passed the senate by unanimous consent.

Hey guys and gals, I'd like to volunteer my services.

Hello, Guys?  Anybody There?  --RoadWhyNot

Route 66 News for February 2015: Death of Mr. "C." in Missouri

FEBRUARY 21ST:  Route 66 Sodas owner Scott Cameron has died at age 76... Not only did he make that great Route 66 Route Beer, but also ran Mr. C.'s Route Post in Lebanon, Missouri.  This was a really fine souvenir place and in true tourist trap classification.

I didn't know this, but he also a ran an organization whose goal was to recover royalties for blues musicians and was a friend to Muddy Waters and Willie Dixon.  I would have loved to talk with him about that.

Here's hoping that someone keeps the place open and continues making that pop in those glass bottles.

FEBRUARY 23RD:  The Best Western Route 66 Program is paying dividends in increased travel and knowledge about the road.  Plus, it is helping their room rentals.  Hitching your company (or town) to Route 66 can never hurt you.

Do You hear that, Bloomington-Normal?  I also have never understood why any place on the old Route 66 wouldn't have a shield up or sign announcing it.

FEBRUARY 25TH:  There are two developmental proposals for the long-closed De Anza Motel in Albuquerque.  One is for it to be a boutique motel and the other is for a motel/condo effort.

I'll take either one.  Anything is better than losing it altogether.

--RoadDog