Rudy Gonzales, who handpainted signs large and small for more than a half-century along Route 66 in New Mexico, died on April 21. He was 90. A rosary and memorial Mass for Gonzales will be held Friday at St. Anne's Catholic Church in Tucumcari, according to his obituary. Route 66 News published a feature about … Continue reading Rudy Gonzales, last of the old-time sign painters, dies at 90
Category: Signs
Road Runner’s Retreat sign near Chambless is repainted
The sign for the long-closed Road Runner's Retreat restaurant near Chambless, California, recently was repainted, and it hasn't looked this good in decades. Next up will be the restoration of the sign's neon tubing. The Facebook account of the site provided before-and-after images: Road Runner's Retreat in late 2023 received a $17,000 cost-share grant from … Continue reading Road Runner’s Retreat sign near Chambless is repainted
Park Plaza Courts neon sign in St. Louis is relighted
The Park Plaza Courts motel neon sign along Route 66 in St. Louis was relighted for the first time in 50 years during a ceremony Saturday night. Here is a video from the scene by Rich Dinkela, president of the Route 66 Association of Missouri. More images from Route 66 enthusiast and author Joe Sonderman. … Continue reading Park Plaza Courts neon sign in St. Louis is relighted
Highland Theatre in Los Angeles closes after almost a century of operation
The Highland Theatre, which operated for 99 years along the Figueroa Street alignment of Route 66 in Los Angeles, unexpectedly closed its doors a few weeks ago. The EastsiderLA initially reported the shuttering of the theater, the last remaining movie house on Figueroa. On Thursday night, the theater was dark, the gate drawn closed, the … Continue reading Highland Theatre in Los Angeles closes after almost a century of operation
Apache Motel sign in Tucumcari taken down; motel’s new owner wants it repaired
The new owner of the closed Apache Motel in Tucumcari, New Mexico, took down its neon sign on Thursday, though she didn't plan to do so. Joanne Thompson, who in February acquired the Route 66 motel from her former business partner Wade Dirr, noticed the sign had twisted at an angle. Upon closer inspection, she … Continue reading Apache Motel sign in Tucumcari taken down; motel’s new owner wants it repaired
What in the world is going on with the New Mexico Route 66 Association?
The question in that headline isn't easy to answer right now. Nor is it easy to answer these related questions: Who is in charge of the association? Why are there two Facebook pages for the association? What's happening with the big project in Tucumcari regarding the association and the Fast TV Network? What's happening with … Continue reading What in the world is going on with the New Mexico Route 66 Association?
Relighting of Park Plaza Courts neon set for the evening of April 13
The Route 66 Association of Missouri recently announced it will hold a ceremonial relighting of the Park Plaza Courts neon sign at 8 p.m. April 13. The relighting will occur at the Holiday Inn Southwest at 10709 Watson Road (aka Route 66) in St. Louis. The association has reserved a block of rooms at the … Continue reading Relighting of Park Plaza Courts neon set for the evening of April 13
Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau announces more details on state Route 66 funding
The Great Rivers and Routes Tourism Bureau announced what it will do with more than $800,000 in state Route 66 funding. It includes an RV park and campground at the Pink Elephant Antique Mall in Livingston; a mural at the Skyview Drive-In in Litchfield; a drive-through Route 66 shield at Country Classic Cars in Staunton; … Continue reading Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau announces more details on state Route 66 funding
Imperial Inn in Albuquerque erects restored neon sign, reopens to overnight travelers
The redeveloped Imperial Inn motel in Albuquerque showed off its restored neon sign shortly before it reopened to overnight travelers on Wednesday. Here's an image from the Route 66 motel's Instagram account of the sign, complete with its chasing lights: View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Imperial (@theimperialabq) Palindrome Communities, which … Continue reading Imperial Inn in Albuquerque erects restored neon sign, reopens to overnight travelers
Uranium Cafe sign in Grants taken down, placed into storage
The neon sign for the closed Uranium Cafe in Grants, New Mexico, was taken down several weeks ago and placed in storage, with the hopes it eventually will be restored and placed in a neon park in the city. Blue Miller initially reported on the Historic Route 66 group about the sign's disappearance. A few … Continue reading Uranium Cafe sign in Grants taken down, placed into storage