Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari makes cover of current issue of New Mexico Magazine

The landmark Blue Swallow Motel of Tucumcari, New Mexico, landed the cover image of the current issue of New Mexico Magazine. Not only does the Route 66 motel that dates to 1939 appear in the magazine's lead article "The Magic of Route 66" and others in the issue, but so do Motel Safari and Roadrunner … Continue reading Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari makes cover of current issue of New Mexico Magazine

Route 66 in New Mexico listed on National Geographic’s top travel experiences in 2024

National Geographic recently listed its "20 of the coolest travel adventures in 2024" as part of its annual Best of the World feature, and Route 66 in New Mexico made the list. The iconic magazine stated the list serves as "a celebration — of travel’s power to transform us and our connections with one another." … Continue reading Route 66 in New Mexico listed on National Geographic’s top travel experiences in 2024

Medal of Honor recipient Hiroshi Miyamura interred in his hometown of Gallup

A native of Gallup, New Mexico, who became a war hero in Korea and earned a Congressional Medal of Honor was laid to rest a few days ago in his Route 66 hometown. Hiroshi Miyamura, 97, died last month in Phoenix and was brought back to the town of his birth Saturday at Sunset Memorial … Continue reading Medal of Honor recipient Hiroshi Miyamura interred in his hometown of Gallup

Gallup Intertribal Ceremonial marks its centennial next month

The Gallup Intertribal Ceremonial will celebrate its 100th year in Gallup, New Mexico, during its Aug. 4-14 event at Red Rock Park. According to a news release: One of New Mexico’s longest-running events, the Ceremonial Centennial Celebration will be a mixture of in-person and virtual events. Scheduled events include: One World Beat (the theme of … Continue reading Gallup Intertribal Ceremonial marks its centennial next month

Six motels on Route 66 in Gallup closed by the city, including Blue Spruce Lodge

Six vintage motels along the Route 66 corridor of Gallup, New Mexico, were closed by the city due to numerous code violations. That includes the Blue Spruce Lodge motel with its oft-photographed neon sign. Frequent Route 66 traveler and writer Blue Miller noted the closure of about a half-dozen motels during a recent post on … Continue reading Six motels on Route 66 in Gallup closed by the city, including Blue Spruce Lodge

El Rancho Hotel in Gallup undergoing $6 million in renovations

El Rancho Hotel in Gallup, New Mexico, is getting a $6 million makeover where the establishment's owner is carefully considering how well the face-lift work matches the hotel's historic character. Details of the work being done on the historic Route 66 hotel are in the current print issue of New Mexico Magazine. (The story should … Continue reading El Rancho Hotel in Gallup undergoing $6 million in renovations

Lockdown ordered in Gallup after a coronavirus surge there

New Mexico's governor today ordered at least a three-day lockdown of the Route 66 town of Gallup, New Mexico, because of a big surge in coronavirus cases there. Gallup's outgoing mayor and its new mayor on Thursday requested that Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham declare a state of emergency under the state's Riot Control Act. McKinley … Continue reading Lockdown ordered in Gallup after a coronavirus surge there

El Rancho Hotel in Gallup offers rooms for respiratory patients during pandemic

The historic El Rancho Hotel in Gallup, New Mexico, is offering homeless respiratory patients a place to self-isolate while being tested for the coronavirus. The program is under the auspices of Rehoboth McKinley Christian Health Care Services, Gallup Indian Medical Center and the Community Outreach and Patient Empowerment nonprofit organization. Those patients will be housed … Continue reading El Rancho Hotel in Gallup offers rooms for respiratory patients during pandemic

New Mexico Route 66 Association hands out three Heritage Awards

The New Mexico Route 66 Association recently gave out Heritage Awards to Glenn's Bakery in Gallup, May Cafe in Albuquerque and Pecos Theatre in Santa Rosa for their efforts at revitalization. The Pecos Theatre at 219 S. Fourth St. (aka Route 66) was honored for renovating the oldest theater on Route 66, built in 1917. … Continue reading New Mexico Route 66 Association hands out three Heritage Awards

Lexington Hotel in Gallup goes up for sale

The historic Lexington Hotel in downtown Gallup, New Mexico, has been put up for sale by the nonprofit organization that owns it. According to a story by the Associated Press, CARE 66, which owns the building, said it no longer has the money to keep it. CARE 66 Executive Director Sanjay Choudhrie says the organization … Continue reading Lexington Hotel in Gallup goes up for sale