Reintroducing Route 66

Then & Now

Some things never change, but become new once again. This page features a "then and now" photo gallery of some of Albuquerque's iconic Route 66 destinations, both preserved by time and renovated for the 21st-century.

Then

Now

Central Avenue and Fifth Street, Downtown Albuquerque, Looking North on Fifth Street

1979 - Today

Before: SMPC Architects, Central Ave SW & 5th St., August 1979. Albuquerque Museum, gift of SMPC Architects. PA2021.095.088

After: Dominic Valdez, Central Avenue and 5th Street, 2024.

Then

Now

Yrisarri Building, 400-402 Central Avenue SW, Downtown Albuquerque.

1979 - Today

Before: SMPC Architects, Central Avenue Southwest, August 1979. Albuquerque Museum, gift of SMPC Architects. PA2021.095.048

After: Dominic Valdez, Yrisarri Building on Central Avenue and 4th Street, 2024.

Then

Now

Bliss Building (c. 1906), 500 Central Ave SW, Downtown Albuquerque.

1979 - Today

Before: SMPC Architects, Bliss Building, August 1979. Albuquerque Museum, gift of SMPC Architects. PA2021.095.091

After: Dominic Valdez, Bliss Building, 2024.

Then

Now

KiMo Theatre, looking east on Central Avenue, Downtown Albuquerque.

1946 - Today

Before: Unknown, West Central Avenue, 1946. Albuquerque Museum, gift of John Airy. PA1982.180.369

After: Dominic Valdez, The KiMo on Central Avenue and 5th Street, 2024.

Then

Now

Lobo Business Section, looking west on Central Avenue, Nob Hill.

1940 - Today

Before: Postcard, Lobo Business Section, 1940. Albuquerque Museum, gift of Nancy Tucker. PA2021.065.159

After: Dominic Valdez, Lobo Business Section in Nob Hill, 2024.

Then

Now

Jones Motor Company Building (1939), 3222 Central Avenue SE, Nob Hill.

1942 - Today

Before: Jones Motor Company, ca. 1942, Albuquerque Museum, gift of Joe and Mary McKinney. PA2008.022.002

After: Dominic Valdez, Jones Motor Company [M'Tucci's Bar Roma], 2024.

Archival photograph of the historic Texaco service station in EDo.

A morning view of the Range Cafe's EDo location in the historic Carothers & Mauldin Texaco Station.

Carothers & Mauldin Texaco Service Station (1938), 320 Central Ave SE, East Downtown.

1938 - Today

Before: Unknown, Carothers and Mauldin Texaco Service Station, March 1938, in Albuquerque Progress. Albuquerque Museum, gift of Albuquerque National Bank. PA1980.061.158

After: Dominic Valdez, Carothers and Mauldin Service Station in EDo, 2024.

Then

Now

Andy Johnston Standard Service Station, 3523 Central Ave NE, Nob Hill.

1955 - Today

Before: Andy Johnston Service Station, ca. 1955, gelatin silver print. Albuquerque Museum, gift of Rodney Carnes. PA2023.018.008

After: Dominic Valdez, Andy Johnston Service Station in Nob Hill, 2024.

Then

Now

Firestone Service Incorporated, 701 Central Avenue, Downtown Albuquerque.

1930 - Today

Before: Bandel, Firestone Service Inc., 1930. Albuquerque Museum, gift of Ray and Daniel Bandel. PA.1977.131.044.A

After: Dominic Valdez, Firestone Service Station in Downtown, 2024.

Then

Now

Mac's La Sierra (1952), 6217 Central Ave SW, West Central.

1965 - Today

Before: Postcard, La Sierra Motel, 1965. Albuquerque Museum, gift of Nancy Tucker. PA2014.007.291

After: Dominic Valdez, Mac's La Sierra Café on West Central Avenue, 2024.

Then

Now

El Vado Motel (1937), 2500 Central Ave SW, Old Town / Rio Grande.

1960 - Today

Before: El Vado Motel, c. 1960. Albuquerque Museum, gift of Nancy Tucker. PA2014.007.226

After: Dominic Valdez, El Vado Motel near Old Town Albuquerque, 2024.

Then

Now

The Imperial Inn (1964), 701 Central Ave NE, East Downtown.

1970 - Today

Before: Postcard, The Imperial 400, c. 1970. Albuquerque Museum, gift of Nancy Tucker. PA2014.007.269

After: Dominic Valdez, The Imperial Inn in EDo, 2024.

Then

Now

El Camino Motor Hotel (c. 1946), 6801 Fourth Street NW, Los Ranchos de Albuquerque.

1952 - Today

Before: Postcard, El Camino Motor Hotel, 1952. Albuquerque Museum, gift of Nancy Tucker. PA2014.007.194

After: Dominic Valdez, El Camino Motor Hotel in Los Ranchos, 2024.

Then

Now

Grandview Motel (c. 1954), 9700 Central Ave SW, West Central.

1970 - Today

Before: Grandview Motel, c. 1970. Albuquerque Museum, gift of Nancy Tucker. PA2014.007.241

After: Dominic Valdez, Grandview Motel on West Central Ave, 2024.

Then

Now

Nine Mile Hill, view from 12300 Central Ave SW, West Central.

1950 - Today

Before: Postcard, View from 9 Mile Hill (Albuquerque N.M.), c. 1950s. Courtesy of Madison Garay.

After: Dominic Valdez, Nine Mile Hill at Night, 2024.