Albuquerque, NM High 82 Low 51
I still have a couple more posts to do about our one day whirlwind tour of the city.
Besides being a Roadside America junkie, I also love anything Rte 66. Nob Hill in Albuquerque is on Central Avenue which was originally Rte 66. Since it was lunch time we headed for Kelly’s Brew Pub (originally Jones Motor Company).
In 1939, Ralph Jones, commissioned the construction of a gas station, a car dealership, and service station along Route 66 in Albuquerque. The detailed tower above the central portion of the building was one of the first icons encountered by westbound travelers on Route 66. Constructed at the eastern end of Albuquerque, the station featured gas pumps at an angle on one side, allowing motorists to easily access the pumps from two sides. Large display windows in front showcased the latest car models to passing travelers on the other side. Both sides were marked by curved walls. The place became so popular that Mr. Jones constructed a canopy on the southern wall of the garage, so that the customers could unload their vehicles in the shade before servicing.
The place was packed when we were there. I thought the food was so-so but the atmosphere helped make up for that.
Nob Hill was developed between about 1925 and 1950 and has become a popular tourist destination. Nob Hill has been described as "the heart of Albuquerque's Route 66 culture and also its hippest, funkiest retail and entertainment district".
We didn’t have a lot of time to wander in and out of stores but we did take the time for this one.
Such an eclectic and fascinating area.
The businesses along route 66 really were inventive to catch the traveler's eye. So interesting.
ReplyDeleteLove Route 66 stuff, thanks for posting.
ReplyDeleteWe've stopped a couple times in Albuquerque but never long enough to check out all these wonderful places. I think we'd love both the brew pub and Nob hill. Thanks for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteNever see any of that stuff when we storm thru on I 40.... Other than the traffic jam and sometimes an overnight West of town at the old KOA along the highway, we just don't give the place much of a chance...
ReplyDeleteI love the old style motels - much more character than the monotonous ones built today. I stayed in one somewhere on Rte 12 in SD and it was great.
ReplyDeleteA person who has never been to Albuquerque won't believe how much there is to do and see there. We were there for three weeks and loved every day.
ReplyDeleteRoadside America is so neat. Love it! Anytime we can get on Route 66 we do, so many neat things to see. Hope Albuquerque is safer than it was several years ago.
ReplyDeleteI started following route 66 when I left Little Rock and found it in Oklahoma. As I kept going ... 66 made so many turns and stops and begins again ... it was dizzying ... lol
ReplyDeleteI get/got lost enough without having to keep up with a great old Route ... got bored and during one of my many taking wrong turns here and there... hey! there's Route 66 ... great fun and very interesting stuff... even joined the yahoo group ~ Route 66
loving your Albuquerque stuff...