History
The Cactus Motor Lodge, later known as the Cactus RV Park, was a motel located along historic U.S. Route 66 in Tucumcari, New Mexico. I.E. and Edna Perry built the lodge in 1941. The motel included three wings of units forming a "U" shape and an office, the latter of which was a dance hall when the motel opened. In 1952, Norm Wegner purchased the motel; Wegner added an artificial stone exterior to the buildings and converted the dance hall to an office. After Route 66 was decommissioned, the motel lost much of its business, and by the 1990s it became an RV park; the motel units fell into disuse. The motel's neon sign was restored in 2008. In October 2018, the sign was sold and removed to be relocated to an Albuquerque neon-sign park. Many other items were sold off before the owners sold the property itself to O'Reilly Auto Parts. O'Reilly razed all structures before beginning construction of their store at the location. The motel was added to the National Register of Historic Places on March 21, 2006.
Common questions
What is the Cactus Motor Lodge?
The Cactus Motor Lodge, later known as the Cactus RV Park, was a Pueblo Revival motel located along historic U.S. Route 66 in Tucumcari, New Mexico. It featured three wings of units forming a U-shape around a central courtyard and an office building that originally served as a dance hall.
When was the Cactus Motor Lodge built?
The Cactus Motor Lodge was built in 1941 by I.E. and Edna Perry. In 1952, Norm Wegner purchased the motel and added an artificial stone exterior to the buildings while converting the original dance hall into an office.
Where was the Cactus Motor Lodge located?
The Cactus Motor Lodge was located along historic U.S. Route 66 in Tucumcari, in Quay County, New Mexico. The site is now occupied by an O'Reilly Auto Parts store.
Does the Cactus Motor Lodge still exist?
No, the Cactus Motor Lodge was demolished. After Route 66 was decommissioned the motel declined, became an RV park in the 1990s, and was sold to O'Reilly Auto Parts. O'Reilly razed all structures before constructing their store on the site. The motel's neon sign was removed in October 2018 and relocated to an Albuquerque neon-sign park.
Can you stay at or visit the Cactus Motor Lodge?
No. The Cactus Motor Lodge no longer operates and the buildings have been demolished. O'Reilly Auto Parts razed the lodge and built a store on the site in Tucumcari, so there is nothing to tour or book on the property. The restored neon sign has been relocated to an Albuquerque neon-sign park.
What architectural style was the Cactus Motor Lodge?
The Cactus Motor Lodge was designed in the Pueblo Revival style, a tradition drawn from the adobe forms of the American Southwest and widely used along Route 66 to evoke regional identity for travelers.
Why was the Cactus Motor Lodge historically significant?
The Cactus Motor Lodge was added to the National Register of Historic Places on March 21, 2006, in recognition of its association with the heyday of U.S. Route 66 motor tourism in New Mexico and its representative Pueblo Revival design.