Preserving Route 66
The New Mexico Route 66 Alliance is dedicated to assisting small businesses and communities in preserving historic properties. We are also preserving the fun, colorful adventure that is Route 66. We are so lucky to have some very talented volunteers involved in these preservation projects. Johnnie Meier and Larry Plath lead the preservation team and have a long and distinguished record of achievements.
Neon Sign Troubleshooting and Repair Service
The Alliance offers troubleshooting and repair services for roadside neon signs to underserved communities, like Tucumcari, Santa Rosa, and Grants. The Alliance has an inventory of recycled neon tubing, transformers, and other components, as well as personnel lift capability up to 40 ft. The team has experience with wiring, transformers, and broken or missing neon tubing. Using our volunteer services can enable restorations at a fraction of the cost of contracting out-of-town or out-of-state contractors.
PRESERVATION TEAM EXPERIENCE AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS
PRESERVATION = MADE BY HAND
The Alliance preservationists received the New Mexico Heritage Preservation Award for pioneering a project to restore classic Route 66 roadside neon signs.
The National Scenic Byways has cited the Alliance preservationists for Best Practices in the preservation of roadside neon signs on Route 66.
Alliance preservationists worked with the local PBS station, KNME, to produce the Emmy Award-winning documentary film, Route 66-The Neon Road. This documentary film tells the story of a neon preservation project managed and executed by members of the Alliance preservation team. Click here to purchase your copy of the DVD.
Members of the Alliance Preservation team worked with State Representative Joseph Campos to introduce legislation creating the New Mexico Route 66 Special Issue license plate, which provides funds for Route 66 preservation in New Mexico.
Alliance team members drafted a model neon sign landmark ordinance to protect historic neon signs. The city of Tucumcari has adopted the ordinance.
Alliance team members have been active volunteers responsible for troubleshooting and repairing classic roadside neon signs.
Alliance team members initiated and facilitated the restoration of the KiMo Theatre sign in downtown Albuquerque.
Alliance team members authored the New Mexico Route 66 Corridor Management Plan for the National Scenic Byways Organization.
Alliance team members have partnered with the Albuquerque Museum to produce an ambitious 7,000-square-foot Route 66 exhibit celebrating the Route 66 Centennial. The exhibit is slated to open in June 2026.
Note: Many of the awards and accomplishments were earned by the principal preservation team now affiliated with the New Mexico Route 66 Alliance.
ROUTE 66 ALLIANCE NEW MEXICO – Preservation Team
On Going Projects
Odeon Theater
The Alliance is currently restoring Tucumcari’s Odeon Theatre neon sign. As of June 2025, the broken neon tubes have been removed, patterns made for neon tube forming, and patterns delivered to SkyRite signs in Amarillo for tube fabrication.
La Cita Restaurant
The Alliance Preservation Team has made several trips to continue maintaining Tucumcari’s La Cita neon sign. Recently the “chaser lights” that outline the periphery of the sign have failed. Team members are preparing to troubleshoot and repair the chasers.
Dels Restaurant
Del’s Restaurant’s neon is not operating. Electricians are rewiring the power to the sign. Once power is reconnected, the Preservation Team will work to ensure that the neon circuits are working.
Blue Spruce Motel
The Alliance Team is working with the owner of the Blue Spruce Motel in Gallup to address code violations that resulted in the closure of the motel. The Team has inspected the property and have cataloged the code violations and hope to initiate a project to remedy the code violations so that the motel can be open for the Route 66 Centennial in 2026.