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SIGNS ARE AGLOW ONCE AGAIN IN TUCUMCARI The New Mexico Route 66 Association has completed neon restoration of several iconic signs in Tucumcari damaged by golf ball sized hail on May 27, 2023. A neon sign damage assessment by the association identified more than 60 pieces of broken neon tubing distributed among 12 classic neon signs in Tucumcari. Businesses affected were predominantly small mom-and-pop enterprises that could not afford the financial and human resource commitment needed to repair their signs along what is arguably one of the most-photographed and admired segments of the Mother Road. New Mexico Route 66 Association president, Melissa Beasley-Lee stated, “The economic impact of tourists coming each year to Tucumcari specifically, and New Mexico Route 66 in general, is tallied in millions of dollars, and one of the main attractions is vintage signs. To be able to photograph them in operating order is typically a highlight of a Route 66 journey.” “Small businesses face a cost-prohibitive situation when attempting to hire commercial sign crews, which is exacerbated for rural communities like Tucumcari where the closest commercial sign companies capable of servicing neon signs are located more than 100 miles away.” She explained that the efforts of the association have saved these business owners a substantial amount on repairing their signs. “We made several trips to Tucumcari to bring the magic back to this city,” Beasley-Lee explained. “We offered free services to remove broken tubing, made patterns, and delivered them to SkyRite Sign Company in Amarillo where veteran neon tube bender, Cecil Walker, created new pieces that we picked up and installed. The association also served as point-of-contact, representing the neon sign owners in Tucumcari in transactions with the team in Amarillo. The New Mexico Route 66 Association covered 50% of neon costs with a 50% match from sign owners. Additionally, transformers—which supply power within the sign to light up the tubes—were tested. Those no longer working were replaced. More complex electrical issues were assessed by neon professionals with electrical backgrounds. Neon-sign restoration specialist Paul Greenstein was flown in from Los Angeles twice to provide his expert services, free of charge for the cause. He has been making, restoring, and installing neon signs since 1977. In May of 2023, upon learning of the devastation to the neon signage in Tucumcari, Beasley-Lee initiated a Go-Fund-Me campaign for those who wanted to support the association and Tucumcari in the repair of the neon signs. The fund, combined with donations sent directly to the association, totaled over $12,000 worldwide. The Go-Fund-Me initiative allowed the association to begin the neon restoration project. Word of the project reached the National Trust for Historic Preservation who presented the association with a $50,000 Preserve Route 66 Grant to assist with the project. “This was an extremely high honor for association, and I am proud to see us recognized with this funding for our state preservation efforts,” boasted Beasley-Lee. The scale of the repair efforts in Tucumcari provided an excellent opportunity for hands-on neon repair examples. Discussions with the NTHP regarding this led to funds also being provided to produce two troubleshooting neon repair videos. Fast TV Network, home of the hit series Legends of Route 66, was hired for the filming. Fast TV Network captured extensive footage of the repair process. President and CEO Mike Lee stated, “We documented every step of the process, not only for historic value, but also so that others could learn from them.” A downloadable checklist, to assist those tackling their own neon sign repair, will also be available free of charge. “Neon signs are among the most important aspects of Historic Route 66,” Beasley-Lee asserted. “It is critical that we keep as many working as possible. The videos will be a tremendous help to sign owners, enabling them to do their own repairs whenever it is feasible.” Unfortunately, the project took longer than expected, some businesses missed out on the grant funds all together. One did not pay their final bill following a retaliation by restoration team member, Johnnie Meier, against the association after being reprimanded regarding complaints by some business owners about unprofessional conduct. Also addressed were poor performance and providing incorrect quotes for the NTPH grant paperwork. Meier, owner of Classical Gas Museum, along with Vickie Ashcraft, owner of Enchanted Trails RV Park and Trading Post, and Connie Loveland, executive director of Tucumcari Mainstreet proceeded to hijack the associations bank accounts, most of which were grant and donations for the neon project. Additionally, neon supplies purchased for the restoration project were locked away from the association inside the Tucumcari Train Depot by Loveland. While this was taking place, false allegations were being spread claiming association president, Melissa Beasley-Lee had resigned, with Ashcraft stepping in as interim president. Beasley-Lee was also falsely accused of running off with a portion of these funds. Beasley-Lee shared, “Through this terrible ordeal that started in March of 2024, my focus was, and has always been, on the best interest of the New Mexico Route 66 Association, its members, and the Route 66 communities throughout our state.” Bank accounts have been recovered by the newly elected board of directors with a minimal amount of funds missing. Meier, Ashcraft, and Loveland are no longer a part of the board or the association. See past updates on the project.   FALL 2024 UPDATE After an unexpected delay this spring, the restoration team was back at it again the first week of June in Tucumcari. This time it was installing neon and bulbs on the sign at the Route 66 Townhouse Welcome Center & Gift Shop. First, since we love Flora May so much, we also gave the sign a new coat of paint. Next, we removed all the broken glass bulbs along the outer perimeter and replaced them with new LED bulbs. WOW! They look great! The red and yellow bulbs really make the sign pop during the day or night. Next was installing the new neon. You must take great care when handling neon so as not to break it. These pieces needed extra care as they were long and bent in one spot. The extra care took a bit more time, but it was well worth it. While we were working, Flora May welcomed travelers from France, Italy, Germany, Australia, and England. They were excited to be the first ones to see the newly revived sign, and we were excited to be there to give them an official New Mexico Route 66 Association welcome to our state. Finally, the big event… the lighting of the sign. The sign looked fabulous! It glowed bright, but unfortunately not everything lit up. From our examination, it looks to be a transformer issue. We’ve placed it on our to-do list for the next trip. Special thanks to Robert Moore of Tucumcari Automotive for picking up the rented lift from Amarillo, Texas, and to David Brenner of Roadrunner Lodge Motel for returning it. We could not have made this happen without your assistance. It’s wonderful when people come together to make positive things happen.  The Route 66 Association of New Mexico has organized a fundraiser to help with repair costs of the historic signs in Tucumcari, New Mexico, that suffered damage from the 2023 catastrophic hailstorm. For more information and the latest updates of the restoration progress can be found here. SUMMER 2024 UPDATE Winter can be brutal in Tucumcari. But the neon restoration team managed to get in a few workdays during February. LaCita Restaurant is now complete as the broken “A” has been installed. Inspection of the Route 66 Townhouse Welcome Center & Gift Shop sign revealed several pieces of neon and bulbs need replacement. Patterns have been made and glass has been ordered. An inspection of the Pow Wow Restaurant & Lounges Thunderbird sign revealed it too needs several pieces replaced. Thank you to Association President Melissa Beasley-Lee, Mike Lee, and Nick Gerlich for all of their help making Tucumcari SHINE again!  Per the same Executive Order 2023-131 that established the Route 66 Centennial Coordination Group, the first Stakeholder Meeting and first Coordination Group Meeting will be in Tucumcari, NM on February 29, 2024.
You Must SIGN UP for the meeting HERE! CENTENNIAL STAKEHOLDER MEETING Time: 10 a.m.-12 noon Location: Tucumcari Convention Center: Address: 1500 US. Rt. 66, Tucumcari, NM 88401 This meeting will provide a space for residents and other stakeholder groups to discuss appropriate activities, projects, and strategies with the Route 66 Centennial Coordination Group to honor the milestone coming up in 2026. A few items on the agenda for this meeting are:
NO ACTION ITEMS (Action Items will be discussed at the 1:30 p.m. meeting). Download official agenda (PDF) COORDINATION GROUP MEETING Time: 1:30-3 p.m. Location: Tucumcari Convention Center: Address: 1500 US. Rt. 66, Tucumcari, NM 88401 This is a meeting for the New Mexico Route 66 Centennial Coordination Group. A few items on the agenda for this meeting are:
Download official agenda (PDF) |
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