Welcome to Roadside Peek News. This section will feature a news peek of what's happening out on the road. While not pretending to be comprehensive, we hope you'll visit this section from time to time to keep up on just a sample of issues that are roadside related. Don't forget to check out the Roadside Peek main page for the day's update.

News from: Current | Q3 '10 | Q2 '10 | Q1 '10 | Q4 '09 | Q3 '09 | Q2 '09 | Q1 '09
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October to December 2011

December 8, 2010

Motel Delights in Northern California and Midwest

Added a couple of neon motels from Redding, CA and a couple of motel sign gems from Chicago. See What's New.

December 7, 2010

Drive-in Theatres

Recent drive-in status updates from David Hughes on the North Salem Drive-in, Mid-Town Drive-in, the Springmill and Ford-Wyoming Drive-ins, Twin Hi-Way Drive-in, Bath Drive-in, Buffalo Drive-in, and the Grand View Drive-in. See What's New.

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Roadside Updates from the East

New photo from Tony Craig of the Rinky Dinks Roadhouse from Amity, PA. See What's New.

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Northern California Roadside

Latest updates include a couple of roadside signs and the historic Hotel Petaluma courtesy of Rod Holcomb. See What's New.

December 6, 2010

Southeast and Southwest Roadside Stops

Added new photos courtesy of Rod Holcomb including the Mystic Theatre in Petaluma, a few old bar signs, eateries, bars, and old signs in New Orleans, and photos of the Martin Theatre in Florida. See What's New.

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Shady Dell RV Park

Worth a stop is this mid-century park in Bisbee, AZ with photos courtesy of Tony Craig. See What's New.

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Southern California Updates

New additions courtesy of Tony Craig include the Bob's Big Boy in Glendale and a burger joint in Hollywood. See What's New.

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More Hollywood Theatres

Check out more recent photos of Grauman's Chinese Theatre and the Hollywood Palladium courtesy of Scott Broadhurst. See What's New.

December 5, 2010

Stops in Nevada

New photos courtesy of Tony Craig including the Ho Hum Motel in Reno. See What's New.

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Roadside Updates from New Mexico

New additions in the Land of Enchantment state courtesy of Tony Craig including Mac's Steak in the Rough, a couple of tavern signs, a neon shot of Richardson's Trading Post, Skidmore's Holiday Bowl, and a Tucumcari ice cream stop. See What's New.

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Central California Updates

Check out the latest updates courtesy of Tony Craig, including the Fort One Cafe A&W burger guy, Sparkle Cleaners from Bakersfield, Salinas's El Sombrero Motel, and the Jolly Kone Drive-in in Wasco. See What's New.

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Updates from Northern California

New roadside updates courtesy of Tony Craig including roadside motels, the Patio Drive-in eatery, The Spur bar in Yuba City, the Milk Farm sign, and a giant cow in Lockeford. See What's New.

December 2, 2010

Spotlight on the Wagon Wheel Motel

New feature on this venerable Route 66 motel landmark added. See What's New.

December 1, 2010

Wagon Wheel Motel Renovation in Progress

The Wagon Wheel Motel in Cuba, MO has a new website and the new owner has renovated 10 rooms and all should be renovated by spring. It is also on Facebook at Historic Wagon Wheel Motel featuring Connie's Shoppe. See What's New.

Many thanks to Jane Reed for update.

November 29, 2010

Mearle's Image to be Honored by Chain

Visalia's Mearle's eatery image will be incorporated into the new Habit Burger Grill restaurant that is taking over the iconic drive-in site. See What's New.

Many thanks to Kaci Hansen for update.

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Midwest Updates

New photo updates from the Midwest courtesy of Richard Weiss. See What's New.

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Roadside USA Updates

New photos from Arizona, Great Plains, Pacific Northwest, and Southeast courtesy of Tony Craig. See What's New.

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Drive-in Updates

Add more drive-in theatre updates to the Midwest and Pacific Northwest courtesy of David Hughes. See What's New.

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Hollywood Palladium Sign

The sign at the Hollywood Palladium is all but gone. See What's New.

Many thanks to Jeff Matsuno for update.

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Tiki Apartments

Added new tiki apartments to the Southern California section courtesy of Scott Broadhurst. See What's New.

November 22, 2010

Lost Log Cabin Motel

New tribute page and photos from Scott Broadhurst and RoadsidePeek added for the recently demolished Log Cabin Motel in Phoenix. Also added the Vogue Theatre and a hotel sign from Scott Broadhurst to the Northern California section. See What's New.

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Southeast Updates

Added updates from the Southeast courtesy of Tony Craig including the Mammy's Cupboard from Hattiesburg, MS. See What's New.

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Midwest Updates

Added photos of Janesville's Cozy Restaurant, Ace Hardware rooftop sign, and the RiversEdge Bowl in addition to an old shoe store in Beloit courtesy of Kelly Sullivan. See What's New.

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Drive-in Updates

New updated statuses from David Hughes for the recently fire-stricken Beverly Drive-in, Puget Park, Keysville, and Ocala drive-in theatres. See What's New.

November 15, 2010

Updates from Various States

Photos from multiple states including Route 66 locations added courtesy of Rod Holcomb. See What's New.

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Southern California Entertainment

New updates from Scott Broadhurst including a couple of theatres and a roadside sign from the Los Angeles area. See What's New.

November 9, 2010

Southwest Photo Updates

More photos from Central California, Nevada, and New Mexico added courtesy of Rod Holcomb. See What's New.

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Highway 99 Roadside

New photos added from business located off the 99 in Central California courtesy of John King. See What's New.

November 8, 2010

Photos from Route 66

Added photos from Route 66 by Rod Holcomb, including the Satellite Cafe and the former 66 Courts. Many more to come in the next several days. See What's New.

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Tiki Apartments

New addition to Southern California Roadside Tiki courtesy of Rene Carrasco. See What's New.

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End of an Era

Photos added of a former standalone Pontiac Dealership in Indiana courtesy of Richard Weiss. See What's New.

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Former Southern Food Joint

Updated the Southeast section with an old restaurant found by Tony Craig in Williamston, NC. See What's New.

October 28, 2010

Kentucky Ice Cream

New photo by Kevin Powers added to the Southeast section of the now closed Midway Cafe in Horse Cave. See What's New.

October 16, 2010

Video of Former Starlite Motel Sign

The Phoenix New Times blog features a YouTube video of the Starlite Motel's animated neon diver prior to the sign collapse in a Mesa, AZ thunderstorm.

October 14, 2010

Sights from Santa Paula

Added photos of the Tower Theatre, the historic Union Oil building, and a downtown neon sign to the Southern California section courtesy of John King. See What's New.

October 13, 2010

Abandoned Eatery Frozen in Time

Here's an old ice cream stand found in Ohio by Richard Weiss that appears to have been frozen since the 80's. See What's New.

October 12, 2010

Neon Diver Lost Treasure

Added new spotlight for the recently destroyed Starlite Motel animated sign, including photos by Nick Florio. See What's New.

October 11, 2010

Lost Oklahoma Bowling Alleys

Added spotlights on the 66 Bowl formerly of Oklahoma City and the Rose Bowl in Tulsa.

October 10, 2010

Central California Updates

New additions courtesy of John King include the remains of the Del-Mac Drive-in Theatre, a throwback car wash sign, the Kern Hotel, , and a few other locations. See What's New.

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Logansport Adventures

New roadside finds from the Midwest courtesy of Richard Weiss include the Whitehouse No. 1 burger joint, a couple of old gas stations, B-K Root Beer, an old bar sign, and others. See What's New.

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More Updates to the East

Newest updates include scenes from Coney Island, Toronto Canada, and other east locations courtesy of Rod Holcomb. See What's New.

October 9, 2010

Mesa Loses Landmark Diver Sign

The Starlite Motel lost its animated neon diver sign in a thunderstorm on October 5. According to the Arizona Republic, the 50 year old sign was destroyed when a powerful wind gust sheared off a metal pole support. The motel owner states the sign most likely will not be replaced due to funds required and Mesa's sign ordinance. Another roadside treasure has become just a memory.

More photos coming soon. Many thanks to Sarah Moore for news alert. 10-10

October 7, 2010

Multiple Region Updates

New additions to the Midwest, Great Plains, and Arizona sections courtesy of Rod Holcomb, including an abandoned drive-in theatre in Nebraska, Boudreaux's of Louisiana., and another view of the Sierra Vista Motel in Arizona. See What's New for other new additions.

October 6, 2010

Mid-Century by the Bay

A new book that features a celebration of the San Francisco Bay Area in the 1950's and 1960's has been released by author Heather David. Published by CalMod Books, Mid-Century by the Bay is being sold as a hardcover edition, complete with 152 pp and over 200 images. The book is currently being sold through www.calmodbooks.com and a book preview by the author Heather David can be found on flickr. This book looks to be a must have for mid-century lovers and will make a good holiday gift.

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Southern California Eats 2

A sequel to Southern California Eats published in June 2009, Southern California Eats 2 is due to be released in November. The description of the book as provided by the authors John Eng and Adriene Biondo include "Take a photographic journey through Southern California and step back in time to visit fast food prototypes, drive-ins, bowling alley snack bars, space age coffee shops, roadside cafes, and fine dining destinations..." The book is available for pre-order on amazon.com.

October 1, 2010

Oklahoma City 66 Bowl Sign Sells for $3,900

Just saw the alert from the Route 66 news blog that the 66 Bowl sign has been sold. As noted in our September 9 update, the 66 Bowl closed in mid-September after 51 years to make way for a Spices of India store. Along with other items from the former bowling alley, the landmark sign was auctioned off today for $3,900 to a Luther resident who plans to refurbish and resell the sign. See this article for more information.