Blue Swallow Motel

About Us

Carpenter W. A. Huggins began constructing the Blue Swallow Court in 1939, creating a motor court designed specifically for travelers along Route 66. The property developed into an L-shaped complex with guest rooms, attached garages, a centrally positioned office and residence, and distinctive pink stucco accented by shell designs. Rancher Ted Jones later became its first long-term owner before Floyd and Lillian Redman purchased the property in 1958. Under the Redmans, a larger neon sign was installed and the business adopted the Blue Swallow Motel name. Lillian became particularly associated with the motel's welcoming hospitality, sometimes accepting personal belongings as payment or providing rooms free to travelers unable to afford lodging. The motel continued operating even after Interstate 40 redirected much of Route 66's traffic away from Tucumcari.

After Lillian Redman sold the motel in 1998, subsequent owners undertook extensive preservation work while retaining its mid-century character. Restoration projects repaired the famous neon, updated electrical and plumbing systems, preserved period furnishings, and incorporated vintage touches such as rotary telephones. The property was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1993 and remains one of Tucumcari's recognizable surviving Route 66 motor courts. Robert and Dawn Federico purchased the Blue Swallow Motel in 2020 and continue its preservation today. Visitors can still stay in restored rooms, park beside original attached garages, explore Route 66 artwork, and spend an evening beneath the motel's celebrated neon glow.