The Albuquerque Tribune published a story today about the city council’s meeting Monday on whether to again designate El Vado Motel a city landmark, thus protecting it from destruction.

One councilor is confident the council will follow the Landmarks and Urban Conservation Commission’s unanimous recommendation and grant the designation.

Councilor Isaac Benton said he expects the council to pass his legislation - as they did two years ago - that would brand the motel a city landmark.

“I think there’s a sense citywide amongst our constituents that we’ve allowed too much of the city’s history to be torn down,” Benton said. [...]

Benton said he expects a large turnout in support of his legislation.

“If you look back on the record when it was first landmarked,” he said, “it was amazing how many people came forward and said, `This is historic.’ “

And there’s this excerpt from motel owner Richard L. Gonzales, which I’ll leave with no additional comment:

He has already spent about $250,000 in economic assessments and attorney fees in what he said is a trivial battle against the city.

“To say the least,” he said, “it’s expensive, and it’s just somewhat insane, if you ask me.”

There’s still time to send an e-mail to the city council, asking it to preserve El Vado. Just go here.

The Cadillac Ranch on Route 66 near Amarillo, Texas, has inspired a number of imitators in recent years of various vehicles half-buried in the ground at an angle.

First was the Bug Ranch on Route 66 near Conway, Texas.

Last year was the Combine City near Amarillo.

Now we have the Airstream Ranch near Orlando, Fla. WOFL-TV reports that it’s the creation of Frank Bates.

If the odd sight of eight Airstream RVs sticking straight up out of the ground is a little jarring, but recognizable, it should. It’s fashioned after Cadillac Ranch off Route 66 in Texas.

“It was a piece of art that’s always been recognized and is world famous,” he said. He wants to create the same effect right off the I-4 corridor. Frank says Airstreams are the Cadillac’s of RVs, so it was only fitting. An exhibit — art, he says — forever emblazoning a part of Americana. [...]

There is some history buried there. A 1957 Airstream a 1963 mini, known as the Bambi model. But the rest are from a scrap yard up in North Florida. Each RV stands for a decade the Airstream’s been around. They just celebrated their 75th anniversary. The ‘63 Bambi stands for the half decade.

“We’re excited about doing it and hope it makes people smile,” Bates told FOX 13.

The station reports that a few neighbors are complaining to the county about the display. But that doesn’t dissuade Bates.

“This is art. We don’t need permits for art,” Bates said, “And it’s our property.”

He has offered to put up a fence so they won’t have to look at it. They’re still milling that over. They county is expected to get back to the neighbors on their complaint in the next few weeks. In the meantime, Airstream Ranch will stand tall and proud.

UPDATE 1/15/07: Roadside America has more information about Airstream Ranch, including directions and a phone number.

Airstream Ranch:
Address: 4656 Mcintosh Rd, Dover, FL [Show Map]
Directions: Bates RV Exchange. I-4 exit 14, southwest corner. Park in the Bates RV lot, tell them why you’re there, then follow the golf cart path from the back to Airstream Ranch, which extends along the south side of the interstate.
Phone: 813-659-0008

A reporter from the Noblesville (Ind.) Daily Times stopped on Route 66 in northeastern Oklahoma to visit Laurel Kane of Afton Station in Afton, the nearby Ed Galloway’s Totem Pole Park in Foyil, and the Blue Whale of Catoosa.

Many media stories about the Mother Road become hugely expansive, to the point of being unwieldy.

But this one wisely concentrated on just three sites in a specific region, and was a richer article because of it.