Tee Pee Curios on Route 66 in Tucumcari

Greetings from Tucumcari, New Mexico, the locale of Tee Pee Curios on Historic U.S. Route 66

Leaving Glenrio on the Texas-New Mexico border, Route 66 headed west and passed through San Jon on its way to Tucumcari. Further west were the towns of Montoya, Newkirk, Cuervo and Santa Rosa.

Today, Tucumcari is an active city with a variety of vintage motels and electric neon signage, and services for Route 66 fans and travelers.

Founded in 1901, Tucumcari is located in Quay County and has a population of over 5,000 residents. Tucumcari is the largest city between Amarillo and Albuquerque, and has long used the slogan "Tucumcari Tonite!"

For decades, Tucumcari has been a popular stop for travelers on Interstate 40 and previously Route 66. Many businesses, service stations, restaurants and motels were built to accommodate tourists as they traveled through the city on the Mother Road.

Today, Historic U.S. Route 66 continues to pass through the center of Tucumcari via Route 66 Boulevard.

A large number of the vintage motels, restaurants and gift shops built in the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s are still in business. One of the more famous hotels here is the Blue Swallow Motel.

We have visited and stayed in Tucumcari on several occasions, and highly recommend making a visit to the classic Tee Pee Curios!

Map of Route 66 from Glenrio to Santa Fe showing the location of Tucumcari
Map of Route 66 from Glenrio to Santa Fe showing the location of Tucumcari

Tee Pee Curios This historic structure was built in 1944 as a Gulf Oil Service station on two-lane Route 66. When Route 66 was widened in 1959, it was forced to remove its gas pumps, and reinvented itself as a new business selling curios to Route 66 travelers. Today, Tee Pee Curios has a wide variety of souvenirs needs, from Route 66 items, New Mexico, pottery, t-shirts, jewelery, postcards and more. Its neon sign is a favorite photo-op at night in Tucumcari. It is a favorite stop for Route 66 tourists, motorcycle groups and bus tours. It is located at 924 East Route 66 Boulevard in Tucumcari. For more information visit Tee Pee Curios on Facebook or phone 575.461.3773

Route 66 mural on the side of Tee Pee Curios

Travel destinations along Route 66 depend on income from roadtrippers to continue to provide their services. Be sure to patronize these businesses to help them stay open and serve the traveling public!