msmooretravels

Historic Motels in New Mexico

The Development of the Motel

According to Daniel Milowski, “hotels in the United States developed around railroads. Automobiles appeared at the turn of the century. Early automobile travel enthusiasts were middle-class city residents wealthy enough to own cars. Concerned about the perceived ill-effects of their easy city living, they shunned hotels in favor of camping in the open countryside. Auto-camps offered little more than camping spots and basic services like trash cans and well water. By the 1920s, automobile travelers wanted hotel-like accommodations like railroad travelers enjoyed with the ability to accommodate parking their cars as well. Enter the motor hotel or by 1925, the motel. Early motor hotels offered private rooms, indoor plumbing, and an attached garage. Beginning in the late 1930s, the motor-court made its appearance… motels configured in a U-shape. The postwar boom fueled an explosion of automobile sales, automobile travel, and motor-courts… particularly along highways like Route 66. Competition between motor-courts in the 1950s was fierce, inspiring ever larger and more fanciful signage festooned with neon lights to entice weary travelers to spend the night. Interstate highway construction signaled the beginning of the end for motor-courts. As new interstate highways bypassed small towns, the older motels struggled for business. Many went out of business. Now abandoned, their decaying ruins littered once prosperous small towns across America.” This blog post details the motels along the “Mother Road” in New Mexico.

The New York Times writes that, “along Route 66, which connected Chicago to Los Angeles from 1926 to 1985, roadside motels and their signature neon signs have been celebrated in books, songs and movies, as motoring west became an expression of American independence and freedom. Since Route 66 was decommissioned as a federal highway, however, many motels have been lost to the wrecking ball, while others have stood vacant, ready to be revitalized by a movement to create a heritage corridor along the historical highway.” Many old Route 66 motels are being renovated as boutique hotels, drawing on the nostalgia for the Mother Road, such as the Americana in Flagstaff, Arizona, the Boots Court in Carthage, Missouri, and the El Vado here in Albuquerque. In late 2023, Albuquerque was “named a recipient of the National Park Service Route 66 Corridor Preservation cost-share grant awards. Albuquerque is home to a record 18-mile stretch of urban Route 66, with a unique and memorable neon landscape.” Many of the old Route 66 motels along Central Avenue are now apartments, monthly rentals, or other buildings. Some still operate as motels for visitors. Here are the ones discussed that you can stay in today. My goal is to visit all of the historic motels in New Mexico. If I haven’t done so yet, I used google map’s street view to include a photo of the building.

East of Albuquerque

Texas Longhorn Motel: built in the 1950s, it is technically in Texas and not New Mexico but was part of the town Glenrio, which stretched between the two states. According to this blog post from October of 2022, it is being demolished. The image below comes from the google maps street view.

San Jon Motel: built in 1946, it is mentioned in Jack Rittenhouse’s “A Guide Book to Highway 66.” It appears now to be closed permanently.

Blue Swallow in Tucumcari: opened in 1940, the Blue Swallow has changed owners several times throughout its 80+ year history, but maintained its charm. Below you can see the Lillian Redman Suite, named for the woman who bought the Blue Swallow in 1950 and ran it until the 1990s.

Motel Safari in Tucumcari: located here, opened in 1960 and renovated in 2008

The Palomino in Tucumcari: located here, opened in 1953, its original sign is on display at Neonopolis in Las Vegas

Apache in Tucumcari: opened in 1964, it currently stands vacant next to Kix on 66

Buckaroo in Tucumcari: opened in 1963

Pow Wow Inn in Tucumcari: according to the Route 66, this motel was originally called the Congress Inn (see old postcard below). Today its restaurant, the Lizard, is still open.

Sahara Sands in Tucumcari: this old motel became the Friends Inn, which now appears to be shut down. The first google maps street view is from 2018, the second from 2024, where you can see that Loretta’s Burrito Hut now occupies the old diner location

Travelodge in Tucumcari: more on this chain later (in Grants/Gallup), here is a then and now of Tucumcari’s old travelodge, the “then” being from 2018 (1214 E. Tucumcari Blvd)

Route 66 Inn in Santa Rosa: opened in the 1950s as the Will Rogers Motel

Sunset Motel in Santa Rosa: a former Whiting Bros motel

La Loma in Santa Rosa: opened in 1949

Tower Motel in Santa Rosa: opened in 1950, it was operated for many years by the person who opened the Pecos Theater in 1936. It appears to no longer be in operation–the first new photo below is from Feb of ’24, the second from Nov of ’13.

Longhorn Ranch Motel in Moriarty: the motel dates to the 1950s-60s. According to the Route 66, a fire in 2016 damaged the motel units. The El Vaquero bar and grill shut in 2017. This motel was part of the Longhorn Ranch Saloon attraction, which you can read more about here.

Sunset Motel in Moriarty: opened in 1959, “The Sunset Motel is the only remaining original Route 66 motel in New Mexico to still be owned by the original family”

Lariat Motel in Moriarty: opened in 1957

Albuquerque

Extend a Suites & RV Park (formerly American(a) Motor Inn): based on its address, I believe this RV park used to be a Route 66 motel. It has been remodeled, but the basic layout remains the same

La Puerta Lodge: opened in 1949 and modeled after the Palace of the Governors in Santa Fe. Many of the old route 66 motels, including most of the following, are now apartments or monthly rentals, which have reviews on google maps describing living there.

The Luna Lodge: opened in 1949

The Pinon Lodge: opened in 1946

The Pioneer Motel (now Pioneer Apartments): opened in 1949

The Bow & Arrow: opened in 1941, an article in November of 2023 discusses the issues with crime at the old Route 66 motel for many years, which since have decreased

The Loma Verde: unsure when it was opened, but the postcard below was found on eBay and stated to date to the 1950s. Nearby is the the Lazy Motel, opened in 1946.

Sand ‘n’ Sage Motel (demolished): on the Route 66 they write that Fair Grounds Court (later changed Court to Motel and then to Sand ‘n’ Sage) is mentioned in Jack D. Rittenhouse’s 1946 A Guide to Route 66. In 1999, The Alibi published an article entitled “Motel Hell.” Noah Masterson described his experience staying there, which cost him $25 dollars a night. The motel was demolished in 2000 and today is an empty lot.

Zuni Motor Lodge (demolished): unsure when it was built, but its old location (7218 Central Ave SE) is now the Cinnamon Tree Apartments

NewLife Homes (formerly Sundowner Motel): opened in 1960, the Sundowner was, “a swanky joint where well-dressed guests sip poolside cocktails beneath the ambient glow of a neon sign beckoning passersby on the storied road bisecting town.” With the decline of Route 66, the motel closed in 2009. According to this article, “in 2013, local nonprofit developer pursued a $9 million project that transformed the old 110-room motel into a 71-apartment facility with an on-site support and resources center. Most units are reserved for individuals making less than half the local median income; a quarter are for formerly homeless tenants and those with special needs.” As you can see from the google street screen shot below, they pay tribute to the old motel with the large “Sundowner” sign at the entrance.

Tewa Lodge: opened in 1946, directly following the end of WWII, the Tewa Lodge is one of the more famous motels along Central in Albuquerque; a typical stop for Route 66 enthusiasts, you can eat at Kap’s across the street, a diner that has been open since 1968. The National Park Service writes that, “when wartime rationing and travel restrictions ended in 1945, Americans took to the road in unprecedented numbers, and Route 66 entered its golden age. Tourism was a growing industry in Albuquerque, development continued to push east and west along Route 66 past the fringe of Albuquerque. Constructed on the cusp of this transition, the Tewa Motor Lodge opened in 1946 to welcome motorists.”

Trade Winds (demolished): opened in 1958 (in time for the State Fair), the Trade Winds was torn down in 2009. In its place today is the Trade Winds Shopping Center, whose sign pays tribute to the old Route 66 motel.

Desert Sands (demolished): opened in 1957, the Desert Sands was featured in the 2007 film No Country for Old Men. It kept catching on fire and so was demolished in 2016, the sign then was removed in 2018. Today the Hiland Plaza Apartments stand in its place at 5000 Central Ave SE. The old postcards were found on eBay, the picture of the sign on Route 66 news.

Zia Motor Lodge (demolished): opened in 1938, the Zia Motor Lodge was damaged in a fire in 2003 and then torn down in 2005, but the sign remains (which was featured in Breaking Bad). The 1999 Alibi article mentioned previously describes staying there, which at that time cost $20 a night.

The De Anza (demolished): opened in 1939, the motel was demolished in 2018 and luxury apartments were built on the site, although they kept the original sign.

Mesa Group Home (formerly the Comfort Lodge): based on its address, I believe that it is used to be the Comfort Lodge, old postcard below

Aztec Motel (demolished): the Aztec first opened in 1932. The 1999 Alibi article mentioned previously describes staying there. Masterson writes, “the Aztec was the exception. I didn’t choose it based on sleaziness, but rather because of its quirkiness and landmark status. Built in 1931, it is the oldest continually operated motel on Central. You’ve noticed it before: It is the motel on Central and Aliso, elaborately decorated with pinwheels, plastic flowers, green glass bottles and all sorts of other knickknacks. Most of the guests at the Aztec seemed to be semi-permanent residents; high quality mountain bikes were locked outside the rooms, and some guests had added their own decorations… for once, I didn’t feel like some gun-wielding maniac was going to kick down the door and murder me. I slept like a baby.” The Aztec was demolished in 2011. The site today is an empty lot.

Hotel Zazz: opened in the 1950s as a Travelodge (more on this chain and its mascot below). Up until fairly recently, it was the University Lodge. It has been renovated by the daughter of the owners of the University Lodge to a boutique hotel.

Ramada Inn (demolished): opened in 1960 as a property of Ramada, it was several different motels before being torn down in 2006. The site today is an empty lot. The sign for the last iteration of the motel, the American Inn, was visible not too long ago (as seen on google street view below), but is no longer.

In this well-known photo of Albuquerque in the 1960s, you can clearly see the Travelodge (now Hotel Zazz), Aztec Motel (demolished), Ramada Inn (demolished) on the north side of the street as well as the Nob Hill Court and Premier Hotel on the south side.

Nob Hill Court: opened in 1936. According to Route 66 in New Mexico, “Nob Hill was Albuquerque’s first suburb, where development began in 1916. The Nob Hill Motel was originally the Modern Auto Court, built in 1936. It closed in 2006 and was redeveloped into offices and retail stores.”

Former Premier Motel: opened in 1950, this motel is no longer in operation. After the old postcard, the first photograph below was taken in the 1970s by John Margolies. I took the next photo in the summer of 2021. It now says “Lofts” instead.

Hiway House: opened in 1958, the Hiway House was part of a chain which was founded in 1956 in Arizona. As of 2023, it is for sale. Although it is technically closed, when I took these photos in the fall of ’23, there was still evidence of people living there. According to this article (Sep ’23), one man says he had been living there and paying rent for 25 years.

Crossroads Motel: unsure when it was opened, it was built along US 66 and US 85 (hence its name). In 1966, I-25 replaced US 85. The motel was notably featured in Breaking Bad. The 1999 Alibi article mentioned previously describes staying there. Masterson writes, “the Crossroads Motel has a reputation for sleaze that it does not deserve. For $26 a night—just a couple bucks more than a room at that squalid pit known as the Nob Hill Motel—you can get a clean room with two beds, cable television, a desk, night stand, tub and telephone. One quirk: I was charged for two local calls that I did not make. And, incidentally, the Crossroads was the only motel on my stay equipped with a Gideon’s Bible.”

Econolodge (formerly Chalet Motel): opened in 1960 as a Hyatt Chalet Motel, it later became the Pan-Am Lodge and is now an Econolodge.

Rodeway Inn (formerly the Lorlodge): opened in the 1960s as one of Albuquerque’s Lorlodges (see more below), it is now a Rodeway Inn

Imperial Inn: according to Roadside Architecture, “The first Imperial 400 Motel was built in Los Angeles in 1959. After that, this nationwide chain boasted of building a new location every ten days in its first year. The architectural firm of Palmer & Krisel was responsible for the building design. The Imperial 400 chain ran into financial trouble from overexpansion and were bought out in 1987.” Here are old images of the motel from their website:

Here is an old postcard and google street from from 2023/22:

The Imperial Inn completed renovation in early 2024 by the same developers who revamped the Monterey and the El Vado. I took these photos in the fall of 2023:

Days Inn (formerly a Travelodge): unsure when this particular location was opened, but the Travelodge chain was established in 1939 and was once known for their mascot the Sleepy Bear, created in 1954. This Travelodge is now a Days Inn, but you can see how similar the layout of the motel and sign are. The Hotel Zazz in Nob Hill also used to be a Travelodge. Today, you can still see an old Travelodge sign right outside of Isleta Pueblo before getting onto I-25, as seen below.

Hiway House (demolished): behind the Travelodge used to stand his motel, today it is a parking lot

Downtowner Motor Inn: opened in 1965, the Downtowner Motor Inn (later the Quality Inn and Hotel Blue) is currently under renovation, with a plan to return its facade to its original look (these photos were taken in the fall of 2023). Across the street in Robinson Park, where the weekly Sunday Farmer’s Market is held. Below you can see an old postcard of the park, when it used to have a gazebo in the center.

Millennium Flats (formerly Lorlodge): opened in the 1960s, this old Lorlodge are now apartments

Apartment complex (formerly the Sleepy Hollow Court): opened in the 1940s, the former Sleepy Hollow Court is now an apartment complex across the street from the Millennium Flats.

Downtown Inn (formerly the Capri City Motor Hotel): opened in the 1950s, the Capri City Motor Hotel is now the Downtown Inn. The old postcards below were found on eBay and this website

Tower Court: opened in 1939

El Don: opened in 1946

Econo Lodge Old Town (formerly White Way Court): based on its address, I believe this used to be this old motel (dating to at least 1950, when the second postcard dates from). It does look like, however, it has been significantly renovated (and partly demolished)

Monterey Motel: opened in 1946, it has been recently renovated and welcomes visitors today (as does its sister motel El Vado). You can read about the Monterey’s long-term owner here, who passed away in 2018.

Site of the Country Club Court: the Country Club Court opened in 1937. It later became the Prince Motel, the Relax Motel and finally the 21 Motel, but only the sign remains today. The old photographs below comes from the 1999 Alibi article mentioned previously.

El Vado: opened in 1937, the El Vado was in operation until 2005. It was slated for demolition (like the fate of the Zia in 2005, the Trade Winds in 2009, the Aztec in 2011, the De Anza in 2018) but has thankfully been restored and is now one of the most popular Route 66 motels today

Below you can see photos posted on New Mexico’s Architectural Foundation and this blog before renovation

El Campo Apartments (formerly Tourist Courts): opened in 1939, the property has been renovated into an apartment complex

Westward Ho: open since at least the early 1960s, the Westward Ho is a favorite because of its lovely sign

Americana, Hacienda, Adobe Manor, French Quarter, Grandview, and Rio: motels a bit further west on Central, one of which appeared in a music video (along with Cafe 66)

El Camino Motor Hotel: Route 66 was first established in 1926 and initially had a different route, before being rerouted in 1937. You can see the original route below, which ran south through Albuquerque to Los Lunas. There are some sites along its original route, including the El Camino Motor Hotel.

West of Albuquerque

Sands Motel in Grants: established in 1950

Southwest Motel in Grants: opened in 1956 as the Lariat Lodge, it is now the Southwest Motel

The Travelodge in Grants: no longer open, once the home of the “Sleepy Bear”

The Travelodge in Gallup: dating to the 1960s, it is now an economy inn

The Lariat Lodge in Gallup: opened in 1952, now abandoned

The Blue Spruce in Gallup: opened in 1949, noteworthy for its particularly interesting sign. It is no longer an operating motel, but when I took the photo of the sign in the snow in December of ’23, it appeared that people do live there (perhaps they are long term apartments now?)

The Arrowhead Lodge in Gallup: opened in 1949, now abandoned

The Ambassador in Gallup: opened in 1946

The Zia Court in Gallup: dating to the 1940s

The Shalimar in Gallup: dated the 1960s, the units of the motel no longer stand

The Colonial in Gallup: opened in 1956

El Capitan in Gallup: opened in 1955

Desert Skies in Gallup: opened in 1959

North of Albuquerque (Pre 1937 Route)

Route 66 was first established in 1926. The initial route went through Santa Fe, but it was rerouted in 1937 to a straight line going from east to west. Here are some of the old Route 66 motels that remain along the 1926 route

El Rey Court in Santa Fe: located here, built in 1936, it was recently renovated and offers the most amenities of Santa Fe’s historic motels along Cerrillos, including a swimming pool, a jacuzzi, and an on-site food truck

Cottonwood Court in Santa Fe: opened sometime in the 1950s, located here, it is cute, clean and well-priced

Western Scene in Santa Fe: opened in 1963, it is currently abandoned and in disrepair

Motels Elsewhere in New Mexico (not along old Route 66)

The Western Motel in Magdalena: according to this website, this motel was once a Lying-In Hospital opened by Marie Butterfield (1872 – 1950). They write that, “‘Grandma Butter’ was a legend in her own time. She ran the lying-in hospital with very little help, sometimes working all shifts in one day. Often mothers who had their babies would stay over for a period of weeks to help with patient care and work off their expenses. A hospital room, food, and care cost $5.00 a day. Delivery fees were $25.00.” The motel’s website writes that, “in the late 1920’s the original adobe house was bought by nurse Marie Butterfield… who turned her home into the Butterfield Hospital… for ranchers’ wives in the surrounding area. Women would come from as far away as Reserve, NM, to the west to give birth in Magdalena.” You can visit her grave in the cemetery today. Grandma Butter was apparently, “five feet tall, about 100 lbs, her hair turned white in her teens. She worked tirelessly at the hospital she ran and often walked to Kelly for housecalls. She wore a white uniform and a blue cape.”

Raton Motor Inn in Raton: located here, it was renovated in 2016

Butterfield Stage Motel in Deming: located here

Smokey Bear Motel in Capitan: next door to the Smokey Bear Restaurant & Smokey Bear Museum 🙂

The Classic Desert Aire Hotel in Alamogordo: opened in 1957

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