Route 66 enthusiasts and business owners along the roadway report a noticeable increase in the number of tourists – both American and International – traveling the route. Local governments in California have begun to work on preservation plans to help ensure that those portions of the roadway passing through their areas begin to receive attention aimed at preserving what remains of the original route.

Route 66 Alert!

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California Route 66's 12 Most Endangered List

On the heels of similar recognition in June by the World Heritage Fund listing Route 66 as one of the 100 most endangered resources in the world, the California Route 66 Preservation Foundation (CART66PF) has developed its own list of twelve corridor resources in significant jeopardy of being altered, destroyed or forgotten.

The Route 66 corridor in California has a large number of fragile landmarks for which CART66PF is concerned with. Their list signifies the 12 primary objectives they are focusing on this year. Not listed in order of importance or any other parameter, the full list for 2007/2008 includes:

• Amboy School, Amboy. Operated by the Needle School District, this site was recently trashed by vandals.
  
• Aztec Hotel, 311 W. Foothill Blvd. Monrovia. This 1925 Mayan Revival building it is listed on the National Historic Register, but is located in a redevelopment zone that does not acknowledge its historic importance.
  
• Bono’s Italian Restaurant, Fontana. National Historic Register nomination in progress, but the property faces city redevelopment challenges.
  
• College Street Bridge, Los Angeles. This 1939 bridge is structurally sound, but apparently faces Caltrans plans to demolish it.
  
• Daggett Inspection Station, Daggett. State police used this facility to either approve or deny entrance into the Golden State during the 1930-40 migration.
  
• El Garces Harvey House and the Town of Needles. A major gateway attraction dating back to the railroad era, this historic area is a neglected oasis to many route travelers.
  
• Former Packard dealership 1285 E Colorado, Pasadena. Using a 1930 Packard grille feature as a template for windows and doorways, this vacant 30's building is a prime example of Automotive Architecture.
  
• Former Standard Station, Rancho Cucamonga. Vacant and unused for many years, part of this structure has already been demolished for a strip mall.
  
• Irv’s Burgers, West Hollywood. Having survived numerous demolition threats, Irv's is a unique example of a 50/60's walk up hamburger stand.
  
• Rialto Theater, South Pasadena. Established during the vaudeville/silent movie era, this theater's 82 years of continuous operation as a movie theater has ended (more information below).
  
• Route 66 between Victorville and Barstow. This neglected, but primarily intact section of Route 66 is the proposed path for a bullet train to Las Vegas.
  
• York Street Bridge, South Pasadena. An attractive arched structure over the Arroyo Seco, this bridge dates back to 1911. Caltrans and the Los Angeles Bureau of Engineering seek to alter its historic appearance to increase traffic volume.
  

The Rialto Theater was an eleventh-hour addition to an intended list of 11 patterned after the National Trust's well-know watch list . It was added in response to the announcement by Landmark Theaters that it is closing operations at this location. After decades of poor maintenance and neglect, Landmark ultimately decided that it was uneconomical to operate as a movie theater.

When it opened in 1925 Rialto was a movie premiere site for the San Gabriel Valley, providing silent movies, vaudeville and live theater to the Pasadena area. The theater still has the original 10 dressing rooms, a scenery loft, green room, deep stage and orchestra pit. CART66PF has united with area preservation groups and redevelopment interests to preserve the historic structure and restore its place as a contributor to regional culture and performing arts.

For more expansive information on these historic facilities and structures you can contact Glen Duncan.at (323) 344-8430 or click the link below.

[California Route 66's 12 Most Endangered List]

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Flagstaff, Arizona Strategic Planning Meeting

Jim Conkle and the California Route 66 Preservation Foundation support efforts to preserve and promote the entire length of Route 66, not only in California but also all the eight Route 66 states. When the Mother Road wins – anywhere – we all win!

Friday October 29^th 2004 Jim Conkle met with the Flagstaff Downtown Business Alliance, the Flagstaff Visitors and Convention Bureau, the Corvette 'N America club, and Jim Nelson of Mother Company for a strategic planning meeting for creating and implementing an integrated tourism initiative based around Flagstaff’s Route 66 heritage. To find out more click Jim on the left or the link below.

[Flagstaff Downtown Business Alliance Meeting]

First Annual Wall of Fame Banquet

Since 1987 the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona has been promoting the Mother Road throughout Arizona. On October 30^th, 2004 the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona held a banquet to honor dedicated Route 66 preservationists and organizations.

Jim Conkle of the California Route 66 Preservation Foundation was the keynote speaker and Master of Ceremonies for this first banquet. It was a resounding success. Click the links for more information.

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[Arizona Route 66 First Annual Wall of Fame Banquet]