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"Do you know the stretches of 66 in New Mexico that are still authentic -- that have not been obliterated by an Interstate and that still have some of the old buildings or businesses surviving? Are there any?"
You need look no further than Central Avenue in Albuquerque. I believe that's the old route. Lots of motels and old neon signs.
I hope somebody gets into the preservation of these areas. Most people -- IMO -- regard these things as eyesores and are itching to destroy them. But someday we'll see them as priceless Americana.
Neon is much more aesthetically pleasing than the big plastic signs with backlighting we see today. I guess the new signs are cheaper to build, maintain and require less electricity?
I lived in Tucumcari in the early 80's and loved it. The community welcomed us albeit only for a short time as it was a pipeline prject. Some of the welders and other construction hands I worked with moved and retired there. I visit every other year there. Just guessing on these figures but Tucumcari's population is a little less than 10,000. Elevation a little over 4000 ft. Sadly, there not a lot of jobs there. When the Interstate was completed it really hurt the Route 66 towns and just recently more new hotels have been constructed there. There has been a new truck stop open up just in the last couple months:I believe a Flin' J. I called the Chamber of Commerce and they sent me a promo pack on the town and Quay County in general. She was very pleasant and gave me lots of info. If you are coming in on I-40 westbound, stop in at the newly constructed New Mexico Welcome Center, close to the port of entry. They have state info packets as well.
Forgot a couple items. The town newspaper on line is the Quay County Sun. There is a community college there. ALSO, if you like the nostalgia of 66, the older motels are a treat. One of the most noted is the Blue Swallow Motel on the east end of town. There are many others. A great mexican food restaurant in the central part of town (Name escapes me) has a huge sombrero on top. There are other threads on Tucumcari. I haven't spent a lot of time in the other Route 66 towns; hopefully some of the other posters can contribute.
> ... stretches of 66 in New Mexico that are still authentic --
> that have not been obliterated ... still have some of the old buildings ...
Gallup, Grants and Tucumcari still have the look and feel of the route - AKA The Mother Road.
When I moved here, some or all of those (I can't remember which) had not yet been bypassed by the freeway.
There are lots of places that are now fenced off, boarded up, and there are some places that are still functioning businesses in all those towns, but probably still fading.
Here, in Albuquerque, it was correctly pointed out that Central Avenue also still has the look/feel of the Mother Road. Specific details have changed, but it's still cool.
There was recently a fight between the mayor and a property owner over the El Vado ( 2500 Central Ave SW 87104 ): Albuquerque- New Mexico Route 66
It is a beautiful, classic Rt 66 design, but alas, is but a shell.
While they fight, it rots (more).
I've stayed at the De Anza, now fenced off (rotting).
BTW, in another thread, [ Street level photos ] you'll find notice of a neat feature on Google Maps that you can use to view the El Vado, De Anza and _ALL_ the others.
You can also visit Live Maps
to see "Bird's Eye" views from N, S, E, & W.
I appreciate all the helpful tips. Im a bigtime"Roadie". I wish I had been around in its heyday. Give me chrome, neon, malt shops, drive ins, and cruisin'. Even if I dont get rich, I'd be having fun. I hope more places on the route get restored. Maybe if all else fails for me to get a job, maybe I can open an antique store. I can dream.
You should consider buying an old diner and motel and restoring it with modern convienences. Then market it through tourist and travel magazines and websites. Try to create a sense of specialty nostalgia. It even might work.
That would be fun. I heard they restored the Blue Swallow in Tucumcari. My b-day is in June and I plan to stay there. I will have to check it out. Save some history. I wish I were around in the 50's so I know I appreciate nostalgia. Things seemed simple and fun back then. I will scope things out and maybe I can get something going. Cheaply. And fix it up to look like it did.
That would be fun. I heard they restored the Blue Swallow in Tucumcari. My b-day is in June and I plan to stay there. I will have to check it out. Save some history. I wish I were around in the 50's so I know I appreciate nostalgia. Things seemed simple and fun back then. I will scope things out and maybe I can get something going. Cheaply. And fix it up to look like it did.
That sounds great. If they got one place going, you add another and pretty soon the area starts drawing in the tourists. Go luck. Let us know how it works out and we can all drive over there and drop some money.
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