The Route 66 town of Gallup, New Mexico, has seen a 7 percent to 10 percent rise in tourist numbers -- the best in decades. According to an Associated Press report, city officials attribute the rise to more foreign travelers. Helping drive the interest in Native culture and grafts is a favorable exchange rate that … Continue reading Gallup sees a big jump in tourism numbers
Tag: Gallup
New Mexico Tourism produces new video about Route 66
A few days ago, the New Mexico Tourism Department uploaded a 12-minute video about Route 66 in the Land of Enchantment. Typical of the department's New Mexico True videos, it's a high-quality production: I commend it to your attention. https://youtu.be/3hLVfSQlzs4 Interviewed in the film are: Johnnie Meier, owner of the Classical Gas Museum in Embudo … Continue reading New Mexico Tourism produces new video about Route 66
Gallup district placed on National Register
The Gallup Commercial Historic District in Gallup, New Mexico, that includes parts of Route 66 recently was designated to the National Register of Historic Places. The designation became effective June 21, according to an email this week from the National Park Service. The boundaries of the Gallup Commercial Historic District are Route 66 to the north, South Seventh … Continue reading Gallup district placed on National Register
Gallup motel gets negligent with its security
The Rodeway Inn along Route 66 in Gallup, New Mexico, earned a few truckloads of bad publicity when this video by a couple of travelers went viral to the tune of 4.5 million views and counting in less than a week: https://youtu.be/HbQauX2LOFI Apparently the motel's management was programming card keys so sloppily or lazily, they could open … Continue reading Gallup motel gets negligent with its security
New Mexico aims to help old theaters
The state of New Mexico is trying to fix up movie theaters in small towns not only for the sake of historic preservation, but also to give an economic boost. The Associated Press reports: An economic development program, similar to efforts in Iowa and Illinois, seeks save the often-forgotten facilities [...] with help on refurbishing … Continue reading New Mexico aims to help old theaters
Billy Corgan’s smashing road trip
Billy Corgan, lead singer and songwriter for the rock band The Smashing Pumpkins, recently finished a three-week road trip for a film documentary that included sections of Route 66. Corgan announced the trip on his blog earlier this month. He casually mentioned Route 66 in it, but with few specifics. Given the broad purpose of his trip, it wasn't … Continue reading Billy Corgan’s smashing road trip
Gallup’s black eye
The Route 66 town of Gallup, New Mexico, again finds itself in the news -- this time, nationally -- after the Associated Press focused on the abnormal number of exposure deaths there during the winter months. The news service put together these facts: Fourteen people succumbed to the cold between October 2014 and April, setting the … Continue reading Gallup’s black eye
Petrified Forest National Park awards new concessions contact
Ortega National Parks, a company with roots on Route 66, was given the contract for concessions at the Petrified Forest National Park, reported the Arizona Journal. Xanterra Parks and Resorts held the park's concessions contract for more than 30 years after it bought out the Fred Harvey Company, which served the park for 40 years before that. Petrified … Continue reading Petrified Forest National Park awards new concessions contact
‘Blood money’ in Gallup
The Route 66 town of Gallup, New Mexico, long has been known as a place beset by many problems because of alcoholism in its Native American population. But this report in Indian Country Today, titled "Blood Money," shows how deep and breathtaking the problems are. Some of the bigger points: Gallup has 39 liquor licenses, a … Continue reading ‘Blood money’ in Gallup
Gallup’s anti-panhandling campaign comes under fire
The Navajo community is criticizing a campaign in Gallup, New Mexico, that discourages tourists -- including those on Route 66 -- from giving money to panhandlers, reported Indian Country Today. In April, a coalition of city officials, church, business, and community groups rolled out the 90-day “Change In My Heart, Not In My Pocket”campaign to encourage people … Continue reading Gallup’s anti-panhandling campaign comes under fire