FLAVOR COMFORTS
OF THE OF
40's TODAY
Route 66
Owner and President Alan J McNeil
Superintendent 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 events. Alan McNeil, owner, and Pat Kenney, Superintendent, and I welcome you to our site.
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 , $13,000, of the cost-share NPS grant 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.
Finding a historical architect took over a year and a half. His 65 page report was the NPS's first priority, and took six months to complete. But, since this was the first priority, it had to be done. Their last priority is the Session 106 Review, or SHPO which is proceeding now. The Contractors' bid, designs for doors and windows, have been forwarded to SHPO for their final approval which will take 30 days. We must have a new roof before this winter. Their bid is $38,000. We think we have enough for the down payment, but will certainly need help on the entire roof.
We hope that SHPO will give their approval to re-roof the south wing first, and start restoring those rooms. Then we'll need the City's vote of confidence as well.
Since the Triangle Motel was such a favorite on Route 66 with its two large wings surrounding a fine courtyard, it truly was one of the finest Tourist Courts in the country. The distinctive art deco styling with the graceful curved corners made the motel a standout in the '40s. Comfortable suites offered two rooms, a 12x15 room with a 12x12 room and the unheard luxury of 3x5 tiled showers, making the Triangle a welcoming haven for weary travelers. We now have a chance to save this treasure for today's and the future's generations to enjoy.
Kaisa Barthuli is the Director at National Park Service. And congratulations on the ten year extension mentioned on the Route66 PULSE website. We 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 she 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 have donated 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
"Adopt A Brick" race.
Our "Adopt a Brick on Route 66" camaign is still helping. Some adoption checks are coming in, even with the economy the way it is, and they are so much help. Perhaps they'll be used for Christmas gifts again, especially those who have family that have moved away from the Panhandle. People have said, "It's like a breath of fresh air from home." We've gotten some wonderful comments on the certificates we've mailed out. Others have started ordering them now for children and grandchildren, so their family members can also experience the overwhelming pride of helping restore this vital icon right in the middle of an American Heritage, Route 66. Did you know that Route 66 is now listed on the International List of Historical Endangered Sites?
The 10 Top States in our Adoption Race are TX, OK, CA, IL, SD, CO, OH, MI, AK, AZ. People in 17 states, and every state along Route 66, have helped. We also proudly list Canada, Belgium and Australia as countries with people who want to help see that this historic treasure is restored.
We have found that the historic Triangle Motel on Route 66 in Amarillo, is undoubtedly the only site on the Mother Road to be banked by Route 66 on both sides.
Another important feature, we believe, is the art deco (moderne') architectural styling with uniquely rounded corners, giving the two wings a distinctive and gracious appearance. Also, in looking through a fine collection of old Amarillo photographs circa 1965, collected by Ronn Wood, the old post card of the Triangle Motel is included. We were also delighted with the picture of the street sign located downtown at 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 through the antique shop section. Then it returns to Amarillo Boulevard West and Old Route 66 on the west side of town. We want to thank Ronn for adding a link to the Triangle web site.
States' Race on Adoptions
This is fun, keeping track of the generous people who truly want to be a part of the Triangle restoration. This is my summary, written as a horse race.
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. Califoria and Illinois have edged ahead of South Dakota (my home state, which did pretty well while we were home for Mother's Memorial.)Colorado and Ohio are in a dead heat. Missouri and Arkansas are not far behind, and Arizona is now the 10th State. More entries have come in from Iowa, so they are nearly close enough to be in the next "Top Ten". Isn't that great? There are some wonderful people out there who want to be included in reaching this historical goal ! Thank you!
Special Thanks!!!
I want to take this opportunity to also extend many many thanks to Crocodile Lile, Past-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. That Association is sure going to miss him. Incidentally he has moved his motor home to Amarillo, and set up his Art Shop in the Fine Art Mall at 10th and Western. When you're in the area, he'd love to see you come by. Route 66 is well represented--pictures and paintings. He has an elegant display. And I never knew that he built clocks.
And now to brag a bit more about another special man. What a thrill to share the pride of my son, Alan McNeil, who has the dream, drive and dedication to want to save the historical Triangle Motel from being demolished, and restore it once again to a fine classic motel, a treasured icon once more for Route 66ers. And I'm so proud he's my son. How I wish my parents could know about it. Somehow, I'm sure they do.
When the Triangle Motel project is 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. Impressive-looking back then, especially with those graceful rounded corners, it stood out as a unusually
attractive architectural site. Now it will be a wonderful restored historical feature.
New addition!
My husband Claude and I attended the Texas Historic Landmark Dedication of the wonderfully gracious home of Ben and Myrna Loy Smith at 4841 W 9th, on August 15. Their son Berry gave the welcoming speech. The Boy Scout Troop #86 gave the Presentation of Colors and the crowd participated in the correct Pledge of Allegiance. Rows of chairs from the Garden Society gave seating for first arrivals, and older citizens. There were probably 15 or 20 seats in each row, and about half a dozen rows, plus the many many people filling the front lawn to make an unexpec-tedly huge crowd. Young singers from the Amarillo Opera gave a great performance.
Myrna Loy Smith gave an inspiring talk on their beautiful home. Many of her family members were there, some who had also grown up in the house, and grands- and greats as well. She told about the huge house being moved from Taylor Street to 9th and Avondale by well digging equipment from Odessa and other interesting facts
during the years. What a tremendous project!
And their home is absolutely beautiful, filled with artifacts, paintings, gorgeous mir-rors, antique glassware including much ruby and some cranberry--it was like being in a museum--but a homey one. The tour through the home was fabulous.
Wes Reeves, President of the Amarillo Historical Society, introduced a number of
people in the audience: the President of the Potter County Historical Society, the
Tysons from the Amarillo Foundation, and several others. Then he introduced me, saying my son was restoring the historical Triangle Motel. I was so surprised I
couldn't even stand up, but I did wave like mad.
Wes Reeves and Berry Smith unveiled the distinctively unique Historical Marker, and it looks so grand standing in front of their home. What an honor! The Boy Scouts gave their Retirement of the Colors, and the choir sang more songs.
The Smith's have donated the home to the Texas State Historical Society so it can be celebrated as a true Texas treasure. It was a marvelous and a moving morning, and the weather contributed by being absolutely perfect.
Just a Thought
It's a pity we aren't wealthy,
we haven't won a lottery--
we wouldn't have this worry
of not having enough money.
Marianne McNeil Logan
Be sure to visit my other website.
www.poetmariannelogan.com.
