Last night our stay at The Blue Swallow
Motel took us back to the days when Route 66 was a destination in itself.
Construction of The Blue Swallow began prior to the outbreak of World War II,
opening in 1942.It faces Route 66 offering visitors 14 sleeping units, with some
providing garage units nestled in between the rooms. When the original owner,
Mr. Jones and his wife died in the 1950's Lillian Redman and her husband bought
the motel and successfully operated it through 1998. The Redmans put their
customers first. When guests didn't have enough money for a room, the Redmans
acepted personal belongings in trade or provided the room for free. Ms. Redman
and The Blue Swallow became icons of Route 66 folklore.
At the end of the
60's, Interstate 40, a better and faster highway, took the place of the old
Route 66. The development of this new highway drastically changed the traffic
circulation of Route 66 affecting many of the businesses along the way,
including The Blue Swallow Motel. The motel is listed in the National Register
of Historical Places.
The motel is now owned by Kevin and Nancy Mueller.
Kevin and Nancy bought the motel in 2011, relocating to Tucumcari from Michigan.
This is their home. Like us, they were captivated by the history, stories, and
people of Route 66. Kevin and Nancy met the fate of the failing economy, losing
their jobs at the same time. Kevin was with Valvoline and Nancy was in
real-estate. After much soul-searching, they made the move. Kevin and Nancy was
very welcoming to us and made us feel right at home.
The Symbolism of the Blue Swallow
The swallow, as well as bluebirds and sparrows, has always had a symbolic meaning for sailors because, before modern navigation technology, these birds were usually the first sign that land was near. A swallow tattoo for a sailor reflected his hope of coming home safely. Another fact is that swallows return home every year, no matter where they are. The swallow is a bird that chooses a mate for life. Therefore, a swallow is a symbol for love and loyalty to the family.
I want to thank Kevin and Nancy Mueller for their hospitality and information on The Blue Swallow Motel. I highly recommend making this one of your stops if you are ever in Tucumcari, NM.
