The historic Tower Motel along Route 66 in Santa Rosa, New Mexico, recently closed to overnight travelers and may reopen for long-term guests, according to a recent print edition of the Guadalupe County Communicator.
The motel was across from the long-gone Club Cafe restaurant, which closed in 1992. The Route 66 restaurant, like the motel, saw a downtown in business after the opening of Interstate 40. The Tower also suffered when new motels sprang up on the city’s east side.
Carla Serrano, daughter of motel owner Jim Sena, elaborated to the newspaper why the motel closed:
“A massive water leak on the west side of the motel prompted the closure for lack of business,” Serrano said in an email. “This downward spiral in business became very apparent two years ago when the number of ballplayers coming to Santa Rosa dwindled in size. The softball teams that did come began migrating to the larger motels on the east side of town. The traffic from commuters also has dropped significantly. Most of the traffic comes from US 54 (Vaughn), rather than I-40, so travelers are not entering Santa Rosa at the first exit.”
Serrano said the motel’s owner may decide to add amenities such as kitchenettes, free Wi-Fi, telephones and satellite TV to draw longer-term guests.
Some purists in the Route 66 community may grouse about the motel switching its business model to longer-term customers. However, the newspaper has reported that a shortage of affordable and suitable housing has exacerbated the local economy’s decline. So the Tower’s move — if it happens — may help ease that problem somewhat.
According to the “Route 66 Encyclopedia,” the motel dates at least back as 1954, when it was recommended by AAA. A look through the 66Postcards.com website shows the motel’s sign went through several variations through the decades.
(Image of the Tower Motel in Santa Rosa, New Mexico, by PunkToad via Flickr)
I looked through my old AAA guide books and the Tower Motel was listed in my 1952 directory. The next-earlier guide book that I have is from 1946 but the Tower is not listed in it.
It’s a shame that any Route 66 lodging business must morph into a small-apartment complex….a sure sign that the end is near. It is also correct that rents all over the U.S. are rising, forcing many on fixed or low-wage incomes to dramatically downsize just to have a roof over their heads. Surely there will follow the calls for police response, excessive wear and tear on the rooms etc., and the Motel will certainly close. I have seen this too often in my area…especially in low-income communities. A good example of the ‘best’ outcome is the Boots Court in Carthage, MO.. It was on the verge of being leveled in the name of progress after being apartments for the poor, but it was saved, is being restored and is now rated the best motel in Carthage by Trip Advisor.com! Just a few hundred feet to the North is the Dazy Courts…also built in 1939, yet it remains modified for tiny apartments, and several other motels cater mostly to long-term construction crews who tend to ‘disturb’ the overnight travelers. In time, these motel owners will need to decide if they will be a Motel or an Apartment business, as they rarely can be both.
I owned and operated this motel from 1977 to 1984 and as per my guess, Motel was constructed in two to three phase. In a first phase, It seems like there were originally about 12 to 13 rooms and in between those rooms there were covered parking spaces (two rooms then two covered parking for car then again two rooms). those rooms when I bought were about 40 years old. These rooms are on pool side. Then as need increased, As per my knowledge, I was a third owner of this motel. I knew the person who built it. His age in 1977, was more or less like 70 to 75 years. He was a one of the builder in town plus owned horses for racing. In short, my guess is original fifteen rooms were built some where around 1937 to 1942. Then may be in 1952, they may have added rooms (converted from car garages) and swimming pool to get listed in AAA book. Which may be 2nd phase. in third phase they added whole new wing on hill facing Hwy. 66. Those rooms were not that old when I bought it. (may be around 10-15 year) The rooms on hillside were built in mid 60′ (around 1965). When I operated this Motel, it was AAA three diamond rated and a member of Friendship Inn organization. Person who built it told me that originally people were traveling through train (as it is near train station ) and Horses (buggy).