The El Rancho Hotel in Gallup, New Mexico was built in 1937 and for many years was the base camp for both actors and crews filming western movies in the immediate area.
This is a view of the main lobby of the El Rancho where the second level walls are covered with photos of Hollywood Stars that have spent time here.
This place is allegedly very haunted, and upon walking through the front entrance one can immediately sense that the air is thick with rich Route 66 history. – April 2023 ~~ A Jeff Hampton Photograph ©
© All Rights Reserved
The Soulsby Shell station along Historic Route 66 in Mount 0live, Illinois was opened way back in the year 1926.
It is one of the oldest, most authentic service stations along the route, and although no longer open for daily business, it has been beautifully restored to its 1950s appearance and now houses a wonderful assortment of vintage items presented in a mini-museum type setting that travelers can visit. – April 2023 ~~ A Jeff Hampton Photograph ©
© All Rights Reserved
On old Route 66 in the eastern Arizona town of Holbrook, the “Wigwam Motel” has now existed for over seventy years. – Built back in 1950, each room at this unique motel is made of concrete in the shape of a teepee where travelers could rest for the night.
Although closed after Interstate 40 by-passed town, it is once again open for business and the interior of each teepee-room is very neat and clean.
To help re-create a 1950s Route 66 experience at this historic motel there are even various examples of vintage vehicles like this 1954 Pontiac parked around the lot to help enhance the overall feel of what was once “The Main Street of America”. – April 2023 ~~ A Jeff Hampton Photograph ©
© All Rights Reserved
On the corner of 1st Street (old Route 66) and Rowe beneath the water tower in McLean, Texas – An abandoned service station slowly falls further into disrepair.
Gone are the high-horsepower sounds of the “Hotrod Haven” speed shop, leaving only a beautifully painted mural of a blue street rod as a reminder of what a cool business this must have been at one time. – April 2023 ~~ A Jeff Hampton Photograph ©
© All Rights Reserved
The 30ft sign for the Rio Pecos Ranch Truck Terminal still stands tall on the east side of Santa Rosa, New Mexico even though this once bustling Route 66 business has been closed for decades.
After nearby Interstate 40 was completed in the 1970s, most car and truck traffic just bypassed Santa Rosa leaving this section of 66 and the old main route through town very quiet. - I had to wait a good 10 minutes here for a truck of any kind to roll through so that I could at least compose some kind of life in this image. – April 2023 ~~ A Jeff Hampton Photograph ©
© All Rights Reserved