A Chronicle of Historic Preservation Efforts on Route 66, "The Main Street of America"
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The goal of this page is to list current Route 66 businesses that are historic or located on a historic property. If you would like your business listed here, please send your information to the editor at limegr@ezl.com. I would like to list a short description of the business, the date established, or the date of the building if applicable. Any details that are interesting for historic or architectural reasons are welcome. Please send contact information and your web site address if applicable. The editor reserves the right to determine what is "historic", but don't worry, my definition is fairly broad. Being listed on this page does not mean that I endorse the business (or not). There is no charge or obligation to be listed here, but if you have a web site a reciprocal link would be helpful and appreciated. Businesses of all kinds located in Route 66 communities, historic or not, are welcome at Metropark of Route 66, a free directory for those interested in travelling, researching, or doing business on Route 66.
Contact Information: Seaba Station R R 1, Box 7891 Chandler, OK 74834 Phone: 405-258-6700 Fax: 405-258-6777 E-Mail: seabastation@aol.com Seaba Station Oklahoma, between Chandler and Wellston Seaba Station is listed on the National Register of Historical Places and was chosen as one of the top 66 roadside attractions last year by Hampton Inns. The building was built in 1923-24 by John Seaba as a NevrNox Gasoline Station, but in the 1940's it was doing more engine rebuilding and by the 1950's it was called Seaba Engine Rebuilding and gasoline was no longer being sold. John had a wholesale and retail engine rebuilding business that covered a wide swath of the southwestern United States. The wholesale business was called Ace Engine Rebuilding. In the early 1950's John Seaba sold the business to Victor Briggs, an entrepreneur from the East. Victor used the location to fulfill his government contracts in engine rebuilding at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City. He had a shop with 80 mechanics in Oklahoma City and 40 mechanics at Seaba Station. He continued the wholesale and retail businesses, also. In 1956, Victor was killed in an airplane crash, leaving his widow, June, to pick up the pieces and until 1986, she single-handedly ran Seaba Engine Rebuilding herself, which was quite a feat in the 1950's and 1960's when women were not so readily accepted in this man-dominated business. She was definitely one of the original women's libbers. Her success, however, is documented in Motor Trend Magazine and Hot Rod Magazine. In 1986, June retired and sold the business to Johnny Farmer and in 1995, the building was sold to Sonny and Sue Preston. For five years they spent their weekends lovingly restoring this unique building. In 2000, they opened it to the public as Seaba Station Antique and Gift Shop. Now Sonny and Sue welcome tourists and locals on scenic Route 66 Tuesday through Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Web site: http://hometown.aol.com/sonnysu/myhomepage/business.html Copyright ©2000 Carolyn Hasenfratz Blue Swallow Motel Tucumcari, New Mexico Built in 1939 and listed on the National and State Historic Registers. Significant features include garages and outstanding sign and architectural neon. Web site: http://blueswallowmotel.com Here's a photo of the lobby interior. Contact Information: Wigwam Motel 2728 W. Foothill Blvd. Rialto, CA 92376 909-875-3005 Email:wigwamrte66@yahoo.com Web Site: Wigwam Village Motel Wigwam Motel Rialto, California Wigwam Village Motel #7 was built in 1949. It is the last teepee style motel built in the nation and is located in San Bernardino, California. Three of these classic examples of Roadside architecture are still in existence, this is one of two still operating on Route 66. The motel has new owners who have remodeled the 19 rooms while taking care to preserve the landmark's historic flavor. Amenities include kidney shaped pool, cable TV with HBO, telephones, refrigerators and air conditioning in all rooms, free coffee at office, and on demand fax service, hair dryer and iron/ironing board. Restaurant and supermarket located nearby. Read about the history of all the Wigwam Motels in an article by Dan Harlow.
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Site design copyright © 2002-2003 Carolyn Hasenfratz. All Rights Reserved. Site contents are the property of the individual contributors. Photo credits: Top left, Shellee Graham, top right, Carolyn Hasenfratz. This web site is not published or endorsed by the Route 66 Association of Missouri.