Story and photos by Mark Wing e-mail link
The Tin Lizzies of Albuquerque Spring tour for 2014, the “Road to Neon” tour, was organized by Orlando, Ethan, and Melody Ortega, our club members in Portales, NM. This year, the destination was Tucumcari, NM (Quay County), a town in eastern New Mexico with a population of approximately 5,300. Tucumcari is located on Interstate 40 and is also on historic Route 66. It has a lot of Route 66 touches such as neon signage, period-correct motels, and an impressive collection of public murals!
From the Tucumcari Visitor’s Guide: “Tucumcari is thought to be among the oldest place names in New Mexico. While the real origin and meaning of Tucumcari in not known for certain, most historians and linguists believe that it is derived from a Plains Indian term, meaning lookout point or signal peak. T.M. Pearce, an English professor at the University of New Mexico, researched the origin of Tucumcari. He believed that Elliot Canonge, an Oklahoma linguist, had the most convincing explanation. Canonge believed that the name comes from the Comanche tukamukaru which means to lie in wait for someone or something to approach. According to Felix Kowena, Canonge’s Comanche informant, Tucumcari Mountain was frequently used as a lookout by Comanche war parties. The mountain peak was an excellent lookout point since it can be seen from the Texas Panhandle more than 50 miles away.”
The turnout for the tour was great with 50 participants with 15 cars from the Tin Lizzies of Albuquerque (a chapter of the Model T Ford Club of America) as well as 7 cars (2 Model T’s and 5 Model A’s) from the Amarillo Regional Chapter of the Antique Automobile Club of America. Unfortunately, soon after their arrival in Tucumcari, Tin Lizzies members Bob and Robbi Ross had to return home immediately to take care of an emergency. We hope they can participate in and enjoy the next tour!
Thursday, May 1st
Everyone began to assemble in Tucumcari on Thursday afternoon (May 1st). Most of the tour participants were staying at the “Motel Safari” (mid-century modern style), and across the street from it, the “Blue Swallow” (circa 1940’s in style). Both of these motels have been tastefully and nostalgically renovated and are popular destinations for visitors wishing to experience what it would have been like to stay in a motel a half-century ago. In fact, we encountered visitors from Europe and Asia who were in Tucumcari as part of their trek along Route 66.
After settling into our motels and unloading our cars, everyone gathered at the Safari outdoor patio area for a potluck dinner and a presentation by the Tucumcari Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Patsy Gresham. In addition to introducing us to Tucumcari, we were given welcome bags full of goodies and literature. Our sincere thanks to the Patsy and the Chamber for such a warm welcome!
After the potluck, everyone jumped into their cars for a short drive to the Tucumcari Community Center, home to the Route 66 Photo Museum. This museum features 166 professional color photographs taken in February 2002 by Michael Campanelli. This collection shows iconic landscapes and objects along historic Route 66 – from California to Illinois. Patsy Gresham met us there with other members of the Chamber of Commerce to answer questions and provide more information about their community.
After the visit to the Tucumcari Community Center, everyone returned to their respective motels, talked to local residents and other out-of-town visitors, and also provided rides in our cars. Most retired early to rest up for the busy tour day ahead!