Once a major tourist destination, Route 66 has lost much of its vigor since being decommissioned as a highway in 1985. But preservationists and entrepreneurs are attempting to revive Route 66 by renovating its many historic motels.
"Since Route 66 was decommissioned as a federal highway, however, many motels have been lost to the wrecking ball, while others have stood vacant, ready to be revitalized by a movement to create a heritage corridor along the historical highway."
"Roy's Motel and Cafe in Amboy, Calif., will anchor a revival of motel culture and Route 66 tourism. Roy's, about three hours east of Los Angeles, was bought by a San Bernardino restaurateur, Albert Okura, who acquired not just the motel and cafe but the entire town."
"In addition to a gasoline station, post office, garage, church, cemetery, four houses and an airport runway, Amboy is most known for its atomic-age sign for Roy's. The original lodging in Amboy consisted of six bungalows built in the 1920s. A single-story motel with 20 units and a lobby were added in the 1950s, when Route 66 tourism was at its peak."
"Despite slow progress in getting things back up and running, word has spread through the Route 66 subculture. And before Okura has even been able to make the gas station functional, tourists are arriving to monitor Amboy's progress."
FULL STORY: New kicks (for builders) on Route 66
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