Only in Your State | New Mexico | January 24, 2017 | By Juliet White
If you travel across New Mexico, you’ll find that most of the state is tied together by a web of small towns, each with its own identity. Tucumcari is unique because it takes you back to the heyday of Route 66. Few other spots in the Land of Enchantment offer such an authentic array of motor courts, neon signs, and diners from this era.
Tucumcari (population 5,363) is located in Quay County, off I-40, in the eastern part of the state. It was established as a railroad town in 1901 and the settlement had several different names before it officially became Tucumcari.
At one point, the town was called Six Shooter Siding, a nod to its lawless reputation.
In 1902, during one shootout between cowhands and railway workers, between 9 and 13 people died. Tucumcari has quite a tumultuous history, and to learn about it, they have a Historical Museum (416 S Adams Street) where you can browse the history of the lawless little town on Route 66.
There are still many stores open that have been serving travelers along the Mother Road for decades. So when you shop in Tucumcari, you’re taking a step back in history.
Take Tee Pee Curios for example. It opened in the 1940s and has been selling jewelry, pottery and knickknacks ever since. (924 E Route 66 Boulevard)
The Route 66 Welcome Center and Gift Shop is another great place to pick up memorabilia. (901 E Route 66 Boulevard). Because if you’re traveling down Route 66, you have to have some proof you visited all the historic landmarks.
Tucumcari has a Route 66 Museum, where you can view classic cars, gas pumps, a large photo display portraying images from the Mother Road, and a vintage diner, called Kix, where you can enjoy classic American fare.
Grab a burger then slurp your way through a thick shake while listening to hits from the 1950s and 1960s. The outdoor patio is pet-friendly – there’s even a menu for pets! (1102 E Route 66 Boulevard).
For the full retro experience, stay overnight. That way you can appreciate the glow of the neon signs at night and sleep in a real motor court like the iconic Blue Swallow Motel, which opened in the 1940s. It offers rooms so authentic that they come with rotary phones. Some even have a garage for your car!
Once you’ve satisfied your thirst for all things Route 66, you can cruise 24 miles out of town to Ute Lake State Park. Boating, fishing, and swimming are popular activities at this 13-mile long lake.
