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Claar's Hitchin Post

Abrahames Rd. west of A118, Moriarty, NM
Phone:

East < GO > West

What's left of John Claar's old Hitchin Post was located on the 1937 alignment of Route 66, which is now buried under I-40. It's kind of a mystery to me if Claar bought an existing gas station and curio shop or if he built the place from the ground up, at any rate it's been here from at least the late 40s or early 50s.

To get to the place either take exit 203 and head west or take exit 197 to north frontage road (Abrahames Rd) and head east. The old trading Post is located on the north frontage road,( Abrahames Rd.) between Perimiter Rd. and County Rd. A118.
GPS: 35.005303, -105.977536

The need to buy gas or use a restroom might have been the main reason to stop here. But Claar apparently wanted more than that, so drawing on his carnival background he provided a bit of excitement in the form of a sort of mini-zoo with wild animals like the then requisite owls and eagles, weasels, bobcats and coyotes and who knows what else..

Let's not forget the "Den of Death" a concrete snake pit filled with rattlesnakes. I'm not sure that was a positive for parents, but kids some might have found it irresistable. Let's not demean the hardworking reptiles though, apparently they not only attracted kids but also a bit of their parents spare change as well since the snakepit did double duty as a sort of wishing well, toss in a few pennies and your fondest wish might come true.

Less adventurous members of the traveling public could always busy themselves exploring the foreign made "Indian" curious for sale in the souvenier shop.

A bit west of Claar's you'll pass this lttle building that appears to have been gas station.

Photo(s): 2019