Shining Bright On Route 66

A Neon Tour in Albuquerque

The lights of Albuquerque will soon be shining bright
Like a diamond in the desert, like a beacon in the night.
— Jim Glaser, “The Lights of Albuquerque”

The neon signs of Route 66 do more than just light up the night. They tell stories, guide travelers, and add a nostalgic glow to Albuquerque’s streets. In addition to their main purpose of welcoming customers into businesses, they also serve as beacons that help locals and visitors navigate the city. “Make a left at the El Vado Motel sign” or “It’s across the street from the Dog House sign” are directions as iconic as these landmark buildings themselves. In this way, the neon signs of Central Avenue have a life of their own.

While many Route 66 signs continue to shine, others risk fading into history. That’s where organizations such as the Friends of the Orphan Signs step in to preserve historic signs of all types in Albuquerque – neon and otherwise. Friends of the Orphan Signs collaborates with local artists to reactivate these signs for all to enjoy. The effort to preserve historical signs across Albuquerque has brought together many organizations in an inspiring coalition, from city government to independent artists and signmakers. The future looks bright for Albuquerque’s beloved Route 66 signage.

An image of the neon sign at La Puerta Lodge.

La Puerta Lodge

La Puerta Lodge opened on East Central in 1949. La Puerta Lodge’s sign evokes both the Pueblo Revival and Spanish Revival styles. La Puerta Lodge was built by Ralph Smith, reportedly inspired by the Palace of the Governors in Santa Fe, complete with colonnades, vigas and intricately carved doors.

Loyola’s Family Restaurant

Loyola’s Family Restaurant opened its doors in 1990. The founder, Loyola Baca, passed the restaurant down to her daughter, Sarah Cordova, and its legacy continues. This neighborhood classic has been featured in Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, In Plain Sight, and Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles. Snap a picture of Loyola’s neon coffee cup.

De Anza Motor Lodge

The historic De Anza Motor Lodge sign is the last remnant of the 1939 motor court alongside the office building. Built by Zuni jewelry trader Charles Garrett Wallace, the motor court and neon sign paid homage to New Mexico’s entwined histories of both the Spanish and Native Americans. The motor court was named after early-18th century Spanish Colonial governor Juan Bautista de Anza, whose cartoon likeness graces the apex of the sign’s triangle.

66 Diner

66 Diner glows bright at the edge of the University Heights area, west of UNM. The skeleton of this restaurant is originally from 1945, when it was built as a Phillips 66 gas and service station. In 1987, the building was repurposed by Tom and Christy Willis to be a black-and-white checkerboard, sock-hopping ode to the 1950s diners that once dotted all of Route 66. Everything in the diner was handpicked and placed by Tom Willis; some objects were donated by Route 66 aficionados as gifts.

KiMo Theatre

Built in 1927, the KiMo Theatre was the passion project of entertainment entrepreneur Oreste Bachechi. The theater’s facade reflects his love for the Southwest and its people and diverse Native cultures. The KiMo was named by Isleta Pueblo Governor Pablo Abeita in a naming competition; the word is a Tiwa portmanteau interpreted as “king of its kind.” The dazzling neon sign on 5th Street and Central Avenue is a crown jewel in the heart of Downtown.

The Dog House

The Dog House might be Albuquerque’s most recognizable Route 66 neon sign. Featured on AMC’s Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, this tail-wagging sign brings delight to hungry patrons looking for a quick bite. This is one of the few animated signs along Central Avenue. The Dog House car-hop stand was established in 1948 by Frank Mead on 10th Street and Central Avenue, until 1967 when Jimmy Hartley bought the eatery and moved it two blocks over in 1969.

El Don Motel

The El Don Motel sign harkens back to Hollywood Westerns with its dynamic neon cowboy hovering over a turquoise backdrop. This motel opened in 1950. El Don is near Old Town Albuquerque and the Albuquerque Museum, where you can learn about Albuquerque’s unique Western history.

Monterey Motel

The neon sign at the Monterey Motel uses abstraction and streamline elements, such as sharp geometric lines and skewed shapes, to attract tourists with its modern sensibilities, rather than Western iconography. The motel opened as the “David Court” in 1946 and was renamed by 1954. Now, Monterey offers local spirits and craft cocktails at their on-site Momo Lounge.

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El Vado Motel

The polychrome El Vado neon sign is a quick cruise from the Monterey Motel. The historic El Vado Motel is one of the oldest Route 66 motels in New Mexico, operating since 1937. The remodeled grounds are accessible for walking and lounging in the sunshine. The motel’s El Vado Tap Room offers food and drink for all visitors and is a hub for entertainment and fun.

Westward Ho! Motel

One of the last stops on far west Central Avenue is the Westward Ho! Motel. Saguaros don’t exist in New Mexico, but if you’re making that California trip, you’re bound to see some in Arizona. This neon sign reminds the traveler of what’s to come just beyond the horizon over the Nine Mile Hill.

What’s the difference between a “motel” and a “motor court”?

In Albuquerque, the terms are almost interchangeable. A motor court (or “tourist court” or “motor lodge”) often had separate individual units for guests that one could park next to. A motel (a portmanteau for “motor hotel”) usually denoted multiple guest units connected by one building that faced a parking lot. The two share one key feature: the ability to drive up to your room.

Two women walk up some stairs towards a room at the Imperial Inn.