Famous neon sign repaired at motor hotel

Ryan Boetel, Albuquerque Journal, N.M.
·3 min read

Jan. 14—The neon sign that greets travelers to the famous Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari was destroyed in a May hailstorm — a downer for the motor hotel on Route 66 that prides itself on its neon and original decor.

But the sign is bright once again after it was repaired thanks to a grant program aimed at women-owned businesses along the historic highway.

The Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership announced last week 10 businesses that earned grants through a Extraordinary Women Micro-Grant Program. The partnership is focused on providing funding to various businesses leading up to Route 66's 100-year anniversary in 2026. Two New Mexico businesses — the Blue Swallow Motel and Flamenco Works in Albuquerque — received the $2,0000 grants.

"We have probably one of the most famous, historic, classic signs on Route 66," said Dawn Federico, who owns the Blue Swallow Motel with her husband, Robert. They purchased the motel in June 2020.

It's a 12-room, classic motor court, Federico said. That means each room has a small garage next to it. It's one of just a handful of such hotels left in the country, she said.

"Here at the Blue Swallow, this is the longest running motor court and it is one of the very last motor courts," she said. "This place has been upgraded with modern amenities but kept as original as possible, so it's kind of a step back in time."

The motel has been in business since 1939 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. It's neon sign has been running since the 1950s, she said.

"When the neon was destroyed in our hailstorm in May, the Route 66 Partnership offered grants to women-owned businesses on Route 66," she said. "I applied and I was one of the 10 recipients."

The motel's address is 815 E Rte 66 Blvd.

"Tucumcari is lucky in that it has a nicely preserved historic stretch of Route 66, and we are smack dab in the middle of it," Federico said.

She said the motel continues to draw people traveling Route 66 who stop for the night. Tour groups also make frequent stops as do neon aficionados — "per square-inch I think we've got quite a bit of it."

"There's a lot of types of travelers we receive, and for that we're very fortunate," she said.

Flamenco

Flamenco Works, at 506 Central SW, also received a grant. The business offers flamenco classes and performances.

Amalyah Muñoz, the a director for the organization, said they will use the money to provide tickets and dancing courses to people who otherwise couldn't afford them.

"We were founded by a group of mothers," she said. "That a group of moms could get this recognition is really beautiful."

The business, at 506 Central SW, has three dance studios and a performance studio. She said it's fitting that they are located in the heart of Downtown Albuquerque right on Route 66.

"Route 66 is loud, it's vibrant, it's colorful. And that's flamenco," Muñoz said. "We are as loud as you can be."