New Mexico

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  • Tepee or Tee Pee Curios?

    Route 66 is lined with trading posts and souvenir shops selling trinkets from the road, authentic tribal wear, and vintage merchandise. Stores compete to stand out through roadside advertising, neon lights, or unique frontage. One of the most popular stops is Tee Pee Curios located in Tucumcari, New Mexico. By night, a large neon sign […] More

  • King of Its Kind: KiMo

    The KiMo Theatre, located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is as rich in history as Route 66 itself. The theater’s origins begin with Oreste and Maria Bachechi who came up with the idea for the structure. Mrs. Bachechi’s family had historically been welcomed by the Native Americans of the area and thus she wanted to pay […] More

  • Forgotten Town, Forgotten Route: Dilia, NM

    A ghostly apparition. I stumbled upon Dilia, New Mexico while traveling along the original 1926 alignment of Route 66. The old road goes northwest from Santa Rosa, up and over to Santa Fe, before looping back down south to Albuquerque. I headed towards the source of the ancient Pecos River, whose waters originate from the […] More

  • The Ghost Town on the Texas / New Mexico State Line

    Heading west from Amarillo on the Dust Bowl Highway, what is now Interstate 40, time begins to slow down. Time dilation. The tumbleweeds and dust cloud the vision, an old windmill spins far in the distance. Endless miles of brown grass, an occasional cow, or was that a pronghorn? Then, like a mirage, a sign […] More

  • 66 in Chrome and Clay

    A newer addition to the Mother Road is the Route 66 Monument, known as “Roadside Attraction,” located in historic Tucumcari, New Mexico. Commissioned by the New Mexico Arts Commission and the New Mexico Highway Department, the monument was designed by artist Thomas Coffin and completed in 1997. The sculpture features a larger-than-life chrome tail fin […] More

  • 100% Refrigerated Air: Blue Swallow Motel

    The Blue Swallow Motel is not your average motor lodge. Located in Tucumcari, New Mexico, the 12 unit motel has preserved almost all of its original features including pink stucco walls, a manager’s residence, and parking garages connected to each room. Details like these have landed The Blue Swallow on the National Register of Historic […] More

  • Forbidden Cave Dive: Blue Hole

    This dive destination has become world famous amongst scuba divers and travelers. Located along Route 66 in Santa Rosa, New Mexico, the Blue Hole is a natural pool that extends down over 80 feet. The pool is fed by the Ogallala Aquifer which pushes 3,000 high pressured gallons of water per minute (!) up from […] More

  • Style: Architecture of Route 66 (Top 5)

      Imagine Route 66. What comes to mind? These 5 architectural styles will help define that “look” you know so well. 1. GOOGIE architecture: After winning the second World War, America was more optimistic than ever. With its sights set on the future, this architectural style captures the fascination with space-age technology and progress. From […] More