A Classic for Route 66 Enthusiasts
Joe Sonderman’s Route 66 in New Mexico is part of Arcadia Publishing’s Images of America series. The book runs about 127 pages and is packed with more than 200 rare photographs. Many of these images have never been published before, giving readers an authentic glimpse of the highway’s golden years.
The layout is approachable: each page pairs one or two images with captions and text that highlight people, places, and events tied to Route 66. Sonderman’s writing is concise, yet full of detail, blending historical facts with personal stories and the cultural flavor of the Southwest.
Exploring the Road’s Past
Historic Towns and Landmarks
The book takes you through the towns and roadside stops that defined New Mexico’s stretch of the Mother Road. You’ll see the neon glow of Tucumcari motels, the trading posts near Gallup, and small forgotten places like Endee that once thrived but have nearly vanished.
Route Changes and Development
Sonderman explains how Route 66 first traveled through Santa Fe before being realigned in 1937 to bypass the city. That change cut more than 100 miles from the trip and reshaped the communities along the highway. He also shows how New Mexico became one of the first states to fully pave its section of Route 66.
People and Culture
More than a road, Route 66 was a meeting ground of Native American, Hispanic, and Anglo cultures. The book illustrates how roadside cafes, trading posts, and motels reflected this mix. Readers will find stories about the families who ran them and the travelers who kept them alive.
Stories That Still Resonate
A Drivable Past
Over 260 miles of original Route 66 remain drivable in New Mexico. The book makes it clear that these stretches are not just asphalt but living history. They connect modern travelers to the same landscapes seen by Dust Bowl migrants and postwar vacationers.
Legendary Neon and Motels
The Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, the Tewa Lodge in Albuquerque, and other roadside icons get special attention. Their neon signs and classic architecture stand as reminders of an era when the road was the destination.
Quirky Stops and Forgotten Stories
Among the surprises in Sonderman’s book is the story of Harry’s Café in Tucumcari. Its owner, Harry Harrison, became a Route 66 legend when he was immortalized in the 1948 novelty song “Two-Gun Harry from Tucumcari” by Dorothy Shay. The café was part eatery, part curio stop, and it captured the playful spirit of the Mother Road’s heyday. Details like this show how Route 66 wasn’t just about motels and neon—it became part of American pop culture.
About the Author
Joe Sonderman is a respected Route 66 historian and collector of vintage postcards. His work has appeared in multiple books covering the history of the highway across different states. Sonderman has an eye for detail, and his passion ensures that even the smallest towns and attractions are given the recognition they deserve.
A Book Worth Adding to Your Shelf
If you’re a road tripper, history buff, or photography lover, Route 66 in New Mexico offers something of value. It’s more than a travel guide; it’s a time machine that takes you back to the heyday of America’s most famous highway.
Whether you are planning your own drive on Route 66 or simply want to enjoy its history from home, Sonderman’s book delivers a complete picture of why the New Mexico stretch remains unforgettable
Safe travels, RJ
Route 66 in New Mexico by Joe Sonderman is available on Amazon.
Other books by Joe Sonderman include: Route 66 in Arizona, Route 66 in Illinois, Route 66 in Kansas, Route 66 in Missouri, Route 66 in the Missouri Ozarks, Route 66 in Oklahoma, Route 66 in St. Louis, Route 66 in Texas, Route 66 Roadside Signs and Advertisements, Route 66 Then and Now, Postcards from Route 66: The Ultimate Collection from America’s Main Street, California Dreamin’ Along Route 66, St. Louis: The 1904 World’s Fair, St. Louis: Bridges, Highways, and Roads, This Day in St. Louis History
You might also enjoy: Ghost Towns of Route 66 — Jim Hinckley & Kerrick James, Travel Route 66 — Jim Hinckley, Route 66 Backroads — Jim Hinckley, The Route 66 Encyclopedia — Jim Hinckley, Greetings from Route 66 — Jim Hinckley, Route 66 Lost & Found — Russell A. Olsen, Route 66: The Mother Road — Michael Wallis, The Lincoln Highway — Michael Wallis , Blue Highways — William Least Heat-Moon, and Route 66 Remembered – Michael Karl Witzel
