FLAVOR COMFORTS
OF THE OF
40's TODAY
Route 66
Owner and President Alan J McNeil
Vice President Pat Kenney
Secretary Marianne McNeil Logan
Great News followed by more!
Due to the wide interest in the restoration of the historical Triangle Motel, once condemned, we'd like to bring you up to date on some of the recent events. Alan McNeil, owner, and Pat Kenney, Superintendent, and I have a great deal to be thankful for this year.
The National Park Service Corridor has approved the Historic Structure Report for the Triangle Motel. We are so thrilled that we can soon make plans for reroofing. The first payment of the cost-share NPS grant for has been deposited. The $10,000 bill from Architect Gregg Bliss has been paid--$2,000 from the Ft Worth National Trust and $8,000 from the NPS award for the Historic Structure Report. This 65 page report was the NPS's first priority, and took nearly a year to complete. The next is the Session 106 Review, or SHPO which is proceeding now. Contractors' bids are at NPS to be decided on. The one we preferred has a splash that hangs over the roof, which NPS says needs to be changed. They are working on that now. We hope to have word soon that it is worked out and the
roofing can begin.
Kaisa Barthuli, Deputy Director at National Park Service says this should be done soon. I want to thank Kaisa for all her help. I'd also like to mention that she prepared the National Register nomination. She is a student at the University of New Mexico, and asked to do the Triangle nomination as part of her course requirements. Needless to say, we were delighted.
Jay and Jason Bernhardt of the Route 66 PULSE Newspaper bid $500 on Certificate #66 and are donating it to the Old Route 66 Association of Texas. It will be proudly displayed in the Triangle Motel Office. They will also carry news of the Triangle progress on their website www.Route66Pulse.com and the State Standings in the historical race.
The ad "Adopt a Brick on Route 66" about our fundraiser will appear regularly in the Old Route 66 Assoc. of TX Newsletter. Some adoption checks are coming in, even with the economy the way it is, and they are so much help. Some even used them for Christmas gifts. We've gotten some wonderful comments on the certificates we've mailed out. People have started ordering them now for children and grandchildren, so family members can also experience the overwhelming pride of helping restore this vital icon right in the middle of an American Heritage, Route 66. Our ad is also on this website for those interested in helping. www.trianglemotelrt66.com.
We have found that the historic Triangle Motel on Route 66 in Amarillo, Texas, is one of the last remaining unrestored historical Tourist Courts--AND one of the finest in the country--to be restored.
Most important, we believe, is the art deco (moderne') architectural styling with unique rounded corners, giving the two wings a most distinctive look. Also, in looking through a fine collection of old Amarillo photographs circa 1965, we found a picture of the street sign 6th and Polk, with the caption, "Many astronomers feel this is the Exact Center of the Universe". Sixth Street is the continuation of Amarillo Boulevard East through the antique shop section. Then it returns to Amarillo Boulevard West and Old Route 66 on the south side of town. There's also an old postcard of the Triangle Motel, and Ronn Wood has added a link to the Triangle!
States' Race on Adoptions
This is fun, keeping track of the generous people who truly want to be a part of the Triangle restoration. We now have donors from 18 states, and all eight states on Route 66 are helping. Belgium, Australia and Canada are also represented.
Texas is still galloping away in the lead, as it should, since this highly significant icon is in the Texas Tower. Four more TX entries. One Californian is moving back to TX and wants to be a Texas entry, so we're delighted. Oklahoma is picking up speed with three more entries. South Dakota (my home state) edged ahead of California while we were home in the Black Hills for Mother's Memorial. With three more entries from Illinois, they have pulled up ahead of Idaho, (Alan's Dad's home state). South Carolina, (my twin sister's state) has edged out Colorado and Ohio. Arizona is now the 10th State. Although more entries have come in from Iowa, they are not close enough to the front of the race to be in the top 10. And we have another entry from Pennsylvania! Isn't that great? Some wonderful people out there! Thank you!
Special Thanks!!!
I want to take this opportunity to extend many many thanks to Crocodile Lile, President of Old Route 66 Association of Texas, who has helped so much on the Triangle Motel restoration project. If it weren't for his unfailing efforts, we wouldn't be as far as we are. He worked so hard on the paperwork required when a non-profit organization donates funds to a for-profit enterprise, which is the way it has to be done. I don't know how he gets everything done that he does. We're sure going to miss him.
What a thrill to share the pride of the man, Alan McNeil, who has the dream, drive and dedication to want to save the Triangle Motel from being demolished, and restore it to a fine classic motel, a treasured icon once again for Route 66ers. And I'm so proud that he's my son. How I wish Mother and Daddy could know about it. Somehow, I'm sure they do.
When Alan and Pat get the Triangle Motel project finished, it's going to be as marvelous as the old Triangle Motel was in its glory days. We used to drive by it all the time going to the Amarillo Air Force Base where Alan's Dad was stationed. Distinctive looking especially with those rounded corners, it stood out even then as an outstanding architectural site.
Just a Thought
It's a pity we aren't a wealthy family, or haven't won
the lottery--then we wouldn't have these money worries.
Marianne McNeil Logan
Be sure to visit my other website.
www.poetmariannelogan.com.
