First shot is a sunset - just to give you an idea of the general setting - the city sits nestled along one side of the Sandia mountains and is mostly flat or shallow rolling hills; desert with cedars, sage and other scrub. There are other hills and ranges that can be seen in the distance.
I took this shot of a long, tall decorative screen-wall near downtown. You just don't see this type of construction any more.
I'm still downtown with this series of images - mostly old theaters, public buildings and the like. The KiMo is also located on that end. The opposite end of Route 66 has Nob Hill and is close to the college.
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| Crossroads Motel |
Here are some shots of the El Rel Theater - looks to be used for live performances now.
And here's a taste of the KiMo Theater up the street
This is an old Kress building - I like that the original building sign was retained.
As you start traveling towards Nob Hill you first see this old car dealership that has been converted to a restaurant - there are Phillips 66 pumps evident (not sure if those were original or brought in).
I spotted this Deco condo which was probably originally a hotel.
Most of the architecture that's worth seeing along the Route is Deco.
And then there's this really wonderful Hiway House Motel - the building itself is rather boring but the neon sign is really fantastic.
And here are some random details I spotted that look interesting enough to photograph.
There's also a small theater with some interesting Asian Cinema - the Guild.
And finally one of my favorites - an original barrel-roofed Arby's that's been converted into a Starbucks - I like that a new Arby's has been built right-alongside - it provides some continuity.
My apologies for the quality of many of these photos - they were taking from the sidewalk and the sun was rather intense (it was also getting towards the evening so so the lighting is both stark and angled with deep shadows). I hope you enjoyed my little tour.
-- John
1 comment:
Hi John, Sherri From ABQ here - a fellow MCM enthusiast. Two things... be sure to check out the restored neon sign on the KiMo Theatre (done last year, spring 2011) and, the "deco condo... must have been a hotel" in Nob Hill was only build in the past 4-5 years that building is not old but built to look that way. I helped save the Jones Motor Company Bldg (brew pub) from being demoed - glad you picked up on its sister building over on Gibson Blvd., the Hart Construction bldg. Both were car dealerships in the 1930-40's.
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