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

Uranium Cafe sign in Grants taken down, placed into storage

The neon sign for the closed Uranium Cafe in Grants, New Mexico, was taken down several weeks ago and placed in storage, with the hopes it eventually will be restored and placed in a neon park in the city. Blue Miller initially reported on the Historic Route 66 group about the sign's disappearance. A few … Continue reading Uranium Cafe sign in Grants taken down, placed into storage

The man behind the Charley’s Automobile Service building in Grants

Blue Miller of the well-researched Never Quite Lost blog recently wrote about Charley Diaz, longtime operator of the Charley's Automotive Service, aka Charley's Radiator Shop, in Grants, New Mexico. The long-closed complex of five buildings included a restaurant, Star Cafe, at 1308-1310 W. Santa Fe Ave. (aka Route 66). It was designated to the National … Continue reading The man behind the Charley’s Automobile Service building in Grants

Few businesses reopen in Grants; city manager fired for clashing with mayor

Only four of about 80 nonessential businesses in Grants, New Mexico, ordered closed because of the coronavirus pandemic reopened Monday despite the mayor urging them to do so. Meanwhile, the mayor said he fired Grants' city manager for not ordering city employees back to work at the municipal golf course, though the firing still has … Continue reading Few businesses reopen in Grants; city manager fired for clashing with mayor

Grants mayor vows to let nonessential stores open despite governor’s order

The mayor of the Route 66 town of Grants, New Mexico, said he would let non-essential stores reopen Monday, flouting the governor's order to close them until mid-May because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The Associated Press reported: Grants Mayor Martin “Modey” Hicks said he’s giving businesses permission to reopen on Monday and is ordering … Continue reading Grants mayor vows to let nonessential stores open despite governor’s order

Article reveals more details about Glorieta Station’s sign collection in Albuquerque

A long-awaited feature in the New Mexico Route 66 Association's publication reveals fascinating details about the much-discussed (and cussed) Glorieta Station and its neon-sign collection in Albuquerque. Nick Gerlich, a marketing professor at West Texas A&M University and a Route 66 enthusiast, wrote the article for the current, spring 2020 edition of the association's Route … Continue reading Article reveals more details about Glorieta Station’s sign collection in Albuquerque

Another Route 66 sign disappears from Grants

I received word Friday from a reader that another sign from a long-defunct Route 66 motel was taken down and hauled away. Here's the email I received from Keith Kofford: Grants lost another Route 66 sign last week (9-10-19) when the Los Alamitos Motel sign was taken. A crew with large equipment was spotted by … Continue reading Another Route 66 sign disappears from Grants

Grants Cafe sign disappears, reportedly purchased by a collector

The historic Grants Cafe neon sign in Grants, New Mexico, was taken down earlier this month after it reportedly was purchased by a collector. An exact date when the sign was taken down wasn't available, but Sam Fiorella said the sign still was up when she went through town Aug. 9. Blue Miller -- best … Continue reading Grants Cafe sign disappears, reportedly purchased by a collector

Lawsuit against Route 66 Junkyard Brewery will proceed

A federal judge last week refused to dismiss a trademark-violation lawsuit against Route 66 Junkyard Brewery in Grants, New Mexico. Judge Judith C. Herrera said factual issues remain over whether Henry Lackey's Route 66 shield-inspired logo for his microbrewery and restaurant infringes on Cypress-based Lodestar Anstalt and its Route 66 Beer, which also uses a … Continue reading Lawsuit against Route 66 Junkyard Brewery will proceed

Route 66 bill probably won’t help Grants microbrewery against lawsuit

An Albuquerque television station reported Route 66 Historic Trail legislation winding its way through Congress may help a Grants, New Mexico, microbrewery in its trademark lawsuit from a European company. The microbrewery is Henry Lackey's Route 66 Junkyard Brewery at 1634 Route 66 in Grants. As previously reported, the microbrewery was sued late last year … Continue reading Route 66 bill probably won’t help Grants microbrewery against lawsuit