De Anza Motor Lodge

De Anza Motor Lodge is a historic motel along Route 66 featuring Spanish and Pueblo architectural details such as exposed wooden beams and wide roof overhangs. The property consists of two buildings that retain the original neon signage from its early days of operation.

The motel was established in 1939 by Charles G. Wallace and S.D. Hambaugh as part of Route 66's early tourism infrastructure. After World War II, the property underwent expansion to accommodate the surge in travelers passing through the region.

The basement holds murals by Zuni artist Tony Edaakie that represent the motel's deep roots in Native American artistic traditions. These works show how the place has served as a meeting point for different communities to share and celebrate their heritage.

The site sits along Central Avenue NE in the Nob Hill neighborhood and is easy to reach on foot when exploring the historic Route corridor. The building underwent significant restoration in 2017, making it visible and straightforward to locate and view from the street.

The Turquoise Room cafe within the motel featured a special terrazzo floor embedded with genuine turquoise and silver pieces. This craft detail showcased how local minerals played a central role in the design and artistic expression of the space.

Location: Albuquerque

GPS coordinates: 35.07918,-106.59587

Latest update: December 12, 2025 09:06