Last week my friend, Alan, and I took an overnight trip to Tucumcari, New Mexico. Our principal objective was to photograph some of the remaining icons along old Route 66: motels, restaurants, gas stations, old cars, souvenir shops, neon, and more.
Tucumcari began in 1901 as a railroad construction camp for the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific railroad. The camp became known as "Six-Shooter Siding," due to numerous gunfights. When the camp became a more permanent settlement, it was renamed Tucumcari in 1908. Until the mid-20th century it served as a junction point for a southern transcontinental rail route, and became a convenient stop (roughly halfway between Amarillo and Albuquerque) for Okies on their way to California on Route 66 during the Depression, and for post-war Americans enjoying the freedom of the open road.
We arrived mid-day after a 190-mile drive from Corrales, and it was time to eat. So we dropped in to Del's Restaurant ("Since 1956") for some down-home American grub.
The menu was loaded with 1950s comfort food. Alan had a burger; I chose liver and onions with a side of fried okra. To top it all off, for dessert we split slices of lemon meringue and coconut cream pie. Mmmm, mmmm! Delicious!
We also enjoyed the irreverent signs in the rest room . . .
. . . and the entrance area:
After lunch, we walked up and down the main Route 66 drag, photographing the signs and businesses that thrived until Interstate 40 came along and bypassed the town in the late 1960s. Some of the motels on Route 66 are showing their age but are still operational, like the Palomino Motel . . .
the Americana Motel . . .
and the Motel Safari, which features an outdoor patio with a definite 1950s vibe . . .
reinforced by some vintage ads on the surrounding wall for good measure.
But many properties are abandoned and in disrepair.
There are now lots of contemporary motels on the outskirts of town along I-40, but the crown jewel of the classic motels on old Route 66 has to be the Blue Swallow Motel.
Built in 1939 and opened in 1940, the Blue Swallow joined the National Register of Historic Places in 1993. It was originally called the Blue Swallow Court, but the name was updated to "Motel" in the 1950s and the sign you see above was added.
Over the years since the 1990s, its owners have done extensive restoration work, updating the plumbing, electrical systems, and exterior facades. The interiors have been lovingly restored to their original style, including lamps, tables, chairs, and 1939 dial telephones that (thanks to modern technology) still work.
Alan and I spent the night at the Blue Swallow, and got up before dawn to photograph the sign and car (a 1951 Buick "Straight 8") in the early morning ("golden hour") light, and catch the reflection in a building window across the street.
After a classic American breakfast at Del's -- pancakes, eggs, and bacon -- we headed for home.
More cool cars and trucks to come in Part 2 next week.
Enjoy!
