Route 66 road trip: New Mexico

March 11, 8:53 AMAlbuquerque Travel ExaminerNeala Schwartzberg

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  Wonderful Route 66 museum in Santa Rosa - Photo by Neala Schwartzberg

Relics and Treasures of The Mother Road in New Mexico

Americans soon flocked to the new Route 66 pouring money into the towns along the way, which prospered or failed by their proximity. Although ultimately done-in by the national highways, Route 66 left a legacy that is still there to explore.

Santa Rosa
Relics of the cafes, motels, and sights linger in this small town which celebrates its road heritage. Called the City of Natural Lakes, folks coming for a visit for the Blue Hole – an 80-foot-deep spring known for its clear blue water (sadly was closed for repair when we arrived in July). But since we were on a Route 66 trip, we visited the Route 66 Auto Museum which is a gem of nostalgia. It was started by James Cordova as place for his vintage car collection and has grown to include not only beautifully restored vehicles but memorabilia from that era. The Auto Museum fronts on part of the historic Route 66 so is a natural stopping place, and easily spotted by the yellow car atop a high pole.

Tucumcari
Our next stop was Tucumcari still rich with Route 66 living nostalgia including the politically incorrect Teepee Curios with its large teepee entrance, and the 1940s Blue Swallow Motel. My personal favorite was the 17 wall murals of Tucumcari celebrating its history and culture, including the Mother Road. Painted by Doug and Sharon Quarles they grace building walls turning brick into canvas for their murals. You can pick up a map of the murals at the visitors center or download the map at: Tucumcari Murals

On your way into (or out of town) enjoy the Route 66 Road Side Attraction sculpture by Tom Coffin. The sculpture sits three stories tall alongside Route 66 in front of the Tucumcari Convention Center on the west end of town and is their homage to Route 66.

Cuervo
Not all the towns survived the passing of the Mother Road. According to Kathy Weiser of LegendsOfAmerica Cuervo was founded in the very early 1900s as part of the Southern Pacific railroad and subsequently became a cattle town. Between the railroad, cattle, and Route 66, Cuervo had  churches, schools, and businesses. Today, it appears to be an abandoned  with the ruins of a beauty shop, and shells of homes along a stretch of empty road. However, there was an anomaly that intrigued us. A intact church with plexiglass windows and a sturdily locked door. And intact houses in the land well beyond the road. The highway I-40 truly bisects the town and the remaining ghost buildings are on the north side of the interstate.

Want more Route 66? Follow the Mother Road across America at: Route 66

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(c) Neala Schwartzberg, all rights reserved