Blue Swallow Motel

815 E. Route 66, Tucumcari, NM
Phone: 575-461-9849

East < GO > West

W. A. Huggins purchased the lot in 1939 and the Blue Swallow Court & Cafe opened in 1941. There is no longer a cafe here, but there is a plentiful supply of hospitality. In the 1950s the motel was purchased by Floyd Redman for his wife Lillian who added the often photographed sign in 1960. A few owners later Kevin & Nancy Meuller bought it in 2011. The motel was placed on the National Register of Historical Places in 1993.

The world famous Blue Swallow sign proudly proclaims "100% Refridgerated Air" and "TV" as it glows in the evening dusk.

Look at these beds and the Blue Swallows resting on them! Details like these bedspreads add immeasurably to the memorability of the nights stay at this iconic Mother Road motel. That's an old fashioned rotary dial phone on the night stand between the beds.

This 2012 photo shows the architectural neon lit up in the evening. The Blue Swallow is from an era when many motels had a carport for each room. Not many motels with this feature still exist. Note the Blue Swallows above each of the garages.

The carports are one of my favorite parts of the Blue Swallow, this kind of attention to detail is about as cool as things get on Route 66. Note the map on the wall on the left side.

Photo(s): 2009, 2012, 2015