Built from blueprints dated October, 1944, the Triangle Motel at 7954 Amarillo Boulevard East Amarillo, Texas, was one of the first motels built on Route 66. Cream-colored brick veneer was hand-cut and oven-dried in Amarillo. Scalloped wooden awnings in deep blue shaded the windows that looked out on the tawny grasses of the windswept Texas Panhandle. The long loop of Route 66 to California was traveled by hundreds of thousands of everyday hard- working people, the grands and greats of today's younger generations. Called A Tourist Court, the Triangle Motel was a God-sent haven midway to California, offering comfortable suites with one 12x15 room, and another one 12x12. The bathrooms with extra-large tiled showers--3x5--were also unexpected luxury for weary travelers in the middle forties.
The two buildings had ten units--five on the North side, five on the South side, plus the office. They framed an exclusive and elegant courtyard graced by gorgeous gardens and stately trees. Some, after trimming and tender care, will still add tranquility and beauty to that space. It also boasted a kids' playground, a horseshoe pitching court (which is again set up), and picnic tables.
Even though the previous owner, Ramona W. Price, and hopeful prospective owner, Alan J. McNeil, attended the City Commissioners meeting on May 16, 2006, the motel was condemned and ordered to be demolished. Why would the City prefer that a 76-year-old widow be compelled to pay around $7,000 to have her own motel torn down, rather than giving a chance to the prospective buyer to restore this significant motel to once again be a tax paying entity?
He purchased the motel on June 13, two days before the historical meeting. This historic site was saved when Emily Payne of the Austin Texas Historical Commission set up a special meeting before the Community Historic and Preservation Board on June 15. After seeing photographs showing the present condition of the motel, and hearing talks by several opposed to the destruction, including Wes Reeves, President of the Amarillo Historical Foundation, all eight members of the Board voted that the Triangle Motel could not be torn down. A year's extension was given to show significant improvement.The City Planning Office then wrote us that they would make inspections every 90 days and report the progress to the City Commissioners. Workers at the site will also attend with photographs showing the actual progress made on the motel.
Although McNeil tried for two months to get blueprints for the site, they were unavailable from City Offices. However, he and Pat Kenney finally found blueprints at the Central Library, and now have several sets. Blueprints call for these structures to be built like fortresses. For instance, a 4" Portland cement foundation, gas connections are 2", with 1 1/4 water service to each building, reduced to 1" full length, 1/2" to all fixtures, 4" sewer lines, even a recipe for the Portland Cement mix. Plans are to preserve the site as a motel, with a few units saved to rent to those workers who shared the commitment and the dream. Each unit will be restored individually up to City Codes.
Then we plan that each unit will take between two weeks and a month to repair and restore, then completely furnish. McNeil's Associate Engineering Degree plus years of experience in most of the required fields for restoration make him the ideal person to head this historic project. In his words, "Sweat, dreams, dedication and determination are qualities I commit to finishing this restoration. The Triangle Motel will once again be an icon, a significant source of pride to Amarillo, the Panhandle, the State of Texas, and Route 66." Follow the progress of unusual developments on this web site. Check out the photos posted.
When you're in the Amarillo area, drive to the Triangle Motel at 7954 Amarillo Blvd E. and get acquainted. Yu'all will be real welcome. We'll be glad to show you around.
More Good News!
If you would like to be a part of this historical project, we can use all the volunteers we can get. If you want to donate a bit to help carry on the work, the Paypal URL is on the last page. However, if it does not work for you, or you prefer to mail a donation, so that you, too, can be personally involved in this restoration project, please address it to Alan J. McNeil, Triangle Motel, 7954 Amarillo Boulevard East, Amarillo, TX 79107. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts. You'll be amazed at the feeling of pride that it will give to know you are helping to save a actual piece of history, a significant landmark, for the Texas Panhandle and the famous Route 66.
Copyright July 2006 Marianne McNeil Logan
mmmltx@nts-online.net
Triangle Motel Rt. 66
All rights reserved.
|
|
