“When Route 66 was closed to the majority of traffic and the other highway came in, I felt just like I had lost an old friend. But some of us stuck it out and are still here on Route 66.” –Lillian Redman, former owner, Blue Swallow Motel, Tucumcari, New Mexico This is the last in […]
Abandoned Motels On Route 66
The Lasso Motel in Tucumcari, New Mexico was bulldozed in February 2010. Who knows when it roped in its last customer, but as far back as 1970, it was creating hellish experiences for travelers. Get a load of this comment I swiped from Flickr user, butitsmine: “In June of 1970 my husband and two daughters […]
Disappearing Retro Signs
[KOSU Radio Commentary] I don’t know about you, but the staycations are starting to make me a little stay-crazy. The other day, I said to my husband, Robert, let’s take the kids to Albuquerque for the weekend. We’ll stay in a hotel and the kids will swim in the pool all day long. It’ll be […]
John Johansen and the OKC Children’s Museum
Meet me at the wrecking ball. Wear something pretty and white. —Neil Young Look at the glorious architectural rendering of the Oklahoma City Children’s Museum, a proposal that if funded would ensure the preservation of architect’s John Johansen’s downtown masterpiece. The building, known as Stage Center, flooded in 2010 and is at risk for the […]
Easter Egg Hunt at the Overholser Mansion
One of the best things about living in Oklahoma City’s historic neighborhood, Heritage Hills (albeit in a prairie bungalow in the foothills), is the annual Easter egg hunt at the historic Overholser Mansion. The mansion is on the National Register of Historic Places and is currently undergoing renovation thanks to Devon Energy. Sullivan at […]
This Oklahoma Life: Walcourt, Classen’s North Highland Parked
I have always loved the Walcourt Building, which is located on Walnut Street on NE 13th Street, about 10 blocks from the Oklahoma State Capitol. I keep thinking something truly wonderful awaits this building as it has architectural and historical significance to Oklahoma City. A couple of years ago, Abandoned OK published a blog post […]
Chernobyl exclusion zone opens to visitors in January
Cooling tower of the unfinished Chernobyl reactors 5 and 6 Photos by Tim Suess via Flickr with Creative Commons License The official tour program of Euro-2010 in Ukraine will include the Chernobyl exclusion zone of Chernobyl nuclear power plant, Ukrainian officials announced today. Earlier this week, they announced that the zone will open to tourists in […]