In an effort to beautify its Route 66 corridor, volunteers in Tucumcari, N.M., have been repainting defunct gas stations to resemble gas stations of the past.
The photo above — made to look like a Texaco station — has just been completed. And at least two more are getting face-lift.
One of the volunteers, Motel Safari owner Richard Talley, reported in an e-mail:
This building was painted in an older style of a Texaco station, complete with Route 66 shields and a small mural with a period automobile. Doug Quarles provided the sign and mural art, which will also be on the other 2 stations already in progress, that have already had the body colors painted by volunteers. The other 2 stations will be older versions of a Continental Oil Co. (Conoco), and the much anticipated Whiting Brothers station. We hope to have at least 7 completed, by the time the International Route 66 Festival rolls into Amarillo next June. […]
Money to complete the projects comes from a combination of donations, private business owners for their own buildings and any grants we may be able to obtain in the future. Anyone wishing to donate either money for the project or their time, may contact Bob Beaulieu at the Chamber of Commerce: 575-461-1694 or e-mail him at chamber(at)tucumcarinm.com.
Also by the end of June 2011, the Tucumcari Train Depot should be re-opened in some form, hopefully as the New Mexico Railroad Museum. Then it would be completed in time for the State’s Centennial the following year, in 2012.
(Photo courtesy of Richard Talley)
I had the great pleasure to spend some time with both Richard and Gail last week, and I have to say that it’d be hard to find someone with as much passion for Tucumcari and America as this fantastic couple. What Richard has immersed himself in over the past 3 years is nothing short of amazing. He is quickly becoming the face of Route 66 in Tucumcari, as anyone who spends time with him will quickly come to admit. My hat is off to all the work he and Gail are doing there for Route 66 and the USA.
Excellent!
Thanks Dan! Although flattered and blushing, this is an enormous volunteer undertaking, and none of us could accomplish any of it without the amazing help of so many others around town. We believe in Tucumcari, and finally Tucumcari is beginning to believe in itself. This is now, one, of many new and exciting projects in development throughout our community, that are actually already underway. The most important thing now, is to remain focused on completing ALL these projects, so as more come together visibly, more people get on board and believe in Tucumcari and it’s future. Tucumcari has a lot to offer, most people outside of Tucumcari have always known it’s potential, but now Tucumcari may finally be beginning to see it for themselves? It’s absolutely vital Tucumcari now stay focused on its RESULTS, as we always say, it didn’t get this way overnight and it won’t all get fixed overnight either. These are long-term endeavors and require teamwork, commitment, dedication and focus to completion. In the end, the revitalization of our community, will benefit all along the Route 66 Community as well. Together we can all do it, building by building, street by street, town by town and city by city…
This is fantastic! Thank you so much for the hard work. Can’t wait to see it in June!