Monday, October 20, 2014

Rubbish Tuesday


Finally a home for all those photos I take of old items!!

Continuing with our travels along Route 66 featuring iconic motel signs and other landmarks.

November and December 2012 saw us taking our first winter sojourn away from cold and snowy Toronto. We drove across from Toronto to (eventually) Los Angeles and back in the spring of 2013. We made many stops along the towns of Route 66 on interstate 40.

Winter 2013 and spring 2014 saw us do the same trip but we took interstate 10, further south from Route 66.

A trip to Chicago gave us another Route 66 photo op.

In earlier years we had taken many vacations in California which also led to some Route 66 icons.

I am enjoying doing these posts as I research the hotels and motels along the way and learn many new things.
Wikipedia is usually my source.

The Glancy - Clinton OK
Blue Swallow Motel - Tucumcari NM
Wigwam Motel - Rialto CA
Holbrook AZ
Gallup NM
Gallup NM

November 2012 - Tucumcari NM

We'll be back in Tucumcari next week.




In 1901, the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad built a construction camp in the western portion of modern-day Quay County. Originally called Ragtown, the camp became known as Six Shooter Siding, due to numerous gunfights. Its first formal name, Douglas, was used only for a short time. After it grew into a permanent settlement, it was renamed Tucumcari in 1908. The name was taken from Tucumcari Mountain, which is situated near the community. Where the mountain got its name is uncertain. It may have come from the Comanche word "tukamukaru", which means to lie in wait for someone or something to approach. A 1777 burial record mentions a Comanche woman and her child captured in a battle at Cuchuncari, which is believed to be an early version of the name Tucumcari.

In December 1951, a water storage tank collapsed in the city. Four were killed and numerous buildings were destroyed.

The Pony Soldier motel was torn down in 2010 but the sign remains.




 The Palomino opened in 1953. The original sign is now in the Neon Museum in Las Vegas which I will feature in an upcoming post.





The Apache Motel opened in 1964.







The Trails West sign is from the 50s or 60s.




The Americana Motel opened as the Desert Air Motel around 1935. This sign is probably from the 1950s. The lettering was adapted and the cactus on top of the sign was removed.






6 comments:

  1. Enjoyed so much tagging alone on your journey. What fun places.

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  2. Very cool Tucumcari Rt 66 signs and places to see! Fun post as always!

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  3. I love it all, but particularly the Motel Safari and the last one. Tom The Backroads Traveller

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  4. you find the BEST signs! love these!!

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  5. Again, amazing signs! Love them all! I'm not sure I would stop at Watson's Bar-B-Que with that buzzard on the sign. lol Would make me think they are serving road kill. :)

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