Many, many Route 66 enthusiasts know about the landmark Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, New Mexico. Smithsonian Magazine once called the 1939 establishment "the last, best and friendliest of the old-time motels." But the Texas Old Route 66 Association recently went through the files of longtime Texas Route 66er Delbert Trew and found an intriguing … Continue reading Did another Blue Swallow Motel exist near Shamrock, Texas?
Tag: Tucumcari
Apache Motel sign in Tucumcari taken down; motel’s new owner wants it repaired
The new owner of the closed Apache Motel in Tucumcari, New Mexico, took down its neon sign on Thursday, though she didn't plan to do so. Joanne Thompson, who in February acquired the Route 66 motel from her former business partner Wade Dirr, noticed the sign had twisted at an angle. Upon closer inspection, she … Continue reading Apache Motel sign in Tucumcari taken down; motel’s new owner wants it repaired
What in the world is going on with the New Mexico Route 66 Association?
The question in that headline isn't easy to answer right now. Nor is it easy to answer these related questions: Who is in charge of the association? Why are there two Facebook pages for the association? What's happening with the big project in Tucumcari regarding the association and the Fast TV Network? What's happening with … Continue reading What in the world is going on with the New Mexico Route 66 Association?
Obscure 1961 movie offers glimpses of Cedar Hill Grocery east of Tucumcari
An obscure drama from 1961 offers a rare glimpse of the Cedar Hill Grocery and gas station that operated along Route 66 east of Tucumcari, New Mexico. That includes the long-gone neon sign that was on the canopy (seen above). The movie also shows the interior of the business. According to a Wikipedia summary of … Continue reading Obscure 1961 movie offers glimpses of Cedar Hill Grocery east of Tucumcari
Quest to revive 4 Tucumcari businesses earns award from New Mexico Route 66 Association
Robert Moore Jr. and his brother William Cooke have been busy acquiring and cleaning up four long-abandoned businesses along Route 66 in Tucumcari, New Mexico. Though reopening at least three of those businesses is a long way off, those efforts earned the annual Route 66 Heritage Award from the New Mexico Route 66 Association. The … Continue reading Quest to revive 4 Tucumcari businesses earns award from New Mexico Route 66 Association
Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari makes cover of current issue of New Mexico Magazine
The landmark Blue Swallow Motel of Tucumcari, New Mexico, landed the cover image of the current issue of New Mexico Magazine. Not only does the Route 66 motel that dates to 1939 appear in the magazine's lead article "The Magic of Route 66" and others in the issue, but so do Motel Safari and Roadrunner … Continue reading Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari makes cover of current issue of New Mexico Magazine
Hurray for the Riff Raff’s new music video shot in Tucumcari area
Hurray for the Riff Raff, a music act that hails from New Orleans, recently released a video for the song "Hawkmoon" that was shot in the Route 66 town of Tucumcari, New Mexico. Viewers will notice the city's Palomino Motel and the Kix on 66 restaurant. https://youtu.be/IbPgztgsqQA?si=0FJ4btZqAbLdig8o The video was directed by Jeff Perlman and … Continue reading Hurray for the Riff Raff’s new music video shot in Tucumcari area
Route 66 in New Mexico listed on National Geographic’s top travel experiences in 2024
National Geographic recently listed its "20 of the coolest travel adventures in 2024" as part of its annual Best of the World feature, and Route 66 in New Mexico made the list. The iconic magazine stated the list serves as "a celebration — of travel’s power to transform us and our connections with one another." … Continue reading Route 66 in New Mexico listed on National Geographic’s top travel experiences in 2024
Volunteers, NM Route 66 Association begin restoration of neon signs in Tucumcari
A group of volunteers and members of the New Mexico Route 66 Association began efforts Thursday and Friday to restore nail-damaged neon tubing on historic signs along Route 66 in Tucumcari, New Mexico. Among the signs worked on were TeePee Curios, Del's Restaurant, La Cita restaurant, Motel Safari and Loretta's Burrito Hut. Fast TV Network … Continue reading Volunteers, NM Route 66 Association begin restoration of neon signs in Tucumcari
New Mexico Route 66 Association helps launch effort to repair hail-damaged neon in Tucumcari
The New Mexico Route 66 Association and Tucumcari MainStreet are joining forces to repair a dozen historic Route 66 neon signs in Tucumcari, New Mexico, that were damaged by a severe hailstorm in late May. In a news release, the association stated its damage assessment identified more than 60 pieces of broken neon tubing among … Continue reading New Mexico Route 66 Association helps launch effort to repair hail-damaged neon in Tucumcari