Bowlin's Old Crater Trading Post

7650 Old Route 66 (Hwy. 122), Bluewater, NM
Phone: Link

East < GO > West

The original Bowlin's Old Crater Trading Post was built on this spot in 1936, the building in these photos was built in 1954. Long gone are the gas pumps that were added in 1938 to meet the needs of the Route 66 travelers that stopped for fuel and souvenirs. Among other things travelers could buy Navajo jewelry and rugs, Zuni jewelry, and things like baskets and pottery from nearby pueblos The trading post closed in 1973 after I-40 opened bypassing Bluewater.

Located right where the 4 lane ends west of Bluewater
GPS: 35.283587, -107.985042

The front of the building has the remains of mural type painting of Native Americans, including the man dancing towards the left of this photo and the woman weaving a rug in the photo below.

There are some still visible ghost signs and graphics on the walls on the front of the building. The trading post was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2006.

Photo(s): 2013