Tucumcari New Mexico Pins and Buttons

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One of the many motel signs along Route 66 in Tucumcari New Mexico. The neon is long gone but the paint on the sign looks great.

Photography of the old Sun n Sand Motel sign circa 1950s in Tucumcari New Mexico along old route 66.

Photography of the infamous sombrero hat on top of the La Cita restaurant along old route 66 in Tucumcari New Mexico.

The Blue Swallow Motor Court is a shining gem in the crown of what was once The Mother Road. If you're going to stay the night in Tucumcari you'd be hard pressed to find a better or more authentic place to do it.

La Cita Mexican restaurant is another much photographed stop on Route 66 through Tucumcari New Mexico. If we hadn't already eaten early on The Mother Road we would have gone in for a bite.

If you travelled Route 66 between Amarillo, Texas and Albuquerque, New Mexico at some point between 1949 and 2000, you probably at least thought about pulling off at the Westerner Drive-Inn in Tucumcari, New Mexico. Located at 1001 West Route 66 Boulevard, it was the only thing around on this particular stretch and was pretty hard to miss, and frequent travelers have undoubtedly knew it was the place to get a great meal. Operating as an old school drive in for just over five decades, the Westerner specialized in big burgers, golden fries, and traditional sodas, even offering a full breakfast menu to weary travelers.

The rusty vintage neon of the Ranch House stands proudly along route 66.

Trails West Lounge in Tucumcari New Mexico is another icon of Route 66. Its vintage neon sign can be seen in many places from opening credits to route 66 fabric. The once proud lounge was devoid of life and for sale when I went through, though things like that change often on The Mother Road.

A vintage auto sits in the drive for the Blue Swallow Motel on Route 66 in Tucumcari New Mexico.