Neon Restoration Update—Fall 2024

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.