In search of Route 66 (getting kicks)

Previously on "In search of Route 66"....

Carrizozo, New Mexico
Vaughn, New Mexico
Santa Rosa, New Mexico
Tucumcari, New Mexico


The popularity of Route 66 contributed to its demise. As speeds and traffic loads increased, the numbers of accidents grew. Between 1953 and 1958, one in every five highway fatalities statewide (New Mexico) was on Route 66.

In the late 1960s, there were so many crashes on Route 66 between Glenrio and Tucumcari that it became known as "Slaughter Lane." (source)

Interstate 40 is to the right in this picture, with the traffic zipping by. I could have stopped my car and gotten out to take this picture, me being the only traveler on the old road at this particular time on that particular day. As it was, I took this as I drove. The lanes were very narrow and close together, and there wasn't any shoulder, on either side. Think about how big and heavy cars were back during Route 66's heyday.

So after driving your huge, shiny Lincoln or Ford down a narrow lane of Route 66 all day, one could stop and spend the night at the Paradise Motel, located near the city limits of Tucumcari since 1950. Back in the day, the swimmer on that sign would have been animated to appear to be diving into the water, which would have also been animated to look like a splash.


c. 1952


Possibly an old Texaco along the old route

The Ranch House Café opened in 1952 with one of the first drive-up-style curb service.





The Odeon Theater, c. 1936, Art Deco



The Princess Theater, built in the 1930s, Art Deco makeover sometime during the early 1950s


La Cita opened in 1940, and the new building with the sombrero-shaped entrance opened right across Route 66 in 1961. It closed in 2004 but reopened in 2006.

Originally called the Desert Air Motel, opened in 1935. The Googie-style sign had a cactus on top where the AAA logo is now.








I nearly fell to my knees and crawled towards this one when I saw it - one of the Holy Grails of neon signs. The motel was constructed in 1939, the current, larger sign added in 1960. The motel (and I would assume the neon sign) was restored in 1998. I believe the swallow's wings were animated to flap, as well as having a musical note animate from its beak.

The Motel Safari opened in 1960. Originally, the sign was topped with a Best Western logo, which was replaced by a camel in 1962. The motel was renovated in 1998, and the sign was being worked on the day I was there.


From Route 66 in New Mexico (Images of America) (p. 15):

The 25-unit Apache Motel opened in 1964. The sign and exterior featured images of Kokopelli, the Hopi symbol of fertility, music, and mischief. Tepees were painted in the stairwells. The motel closed in 2005, but it has been renovated and is back in business. Unfortunately, the new owner chose to paint the background of the sign white (instead of black, the original color).

Del Akin opened Del's Restaurant in the late 1940s. In 1956, it was moved west to expand and take better advantage of the Route 66 traffic.

The Palomino Motel opened in 1953. They advertised "Why pay more? Please inspect our rooms. You will stay." The 30-unit Palomino is still in business today at 1215 East Highway 66. The smaller original sign is on display at Neonopolis in Las Vegas.





Carrizozo, New Mexico
Vaughn, New Mexico
Santa Rosa, New Mexico
Tucumcari, New Mexico
San Jon, New Mexico/Adrian, Texas/Vega, Texas