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TUCUMCARI 鈥� In early June, Tor Kraft decided to take his daughter Briar on a trip across the United States so they could spend time together before she graduates from high school next year.

The Krafts鈥� original plan was to fly from Orlando, Florida, to Seattle.

鈥淏ut I went, 鈥楲et鈥檚 drive. Let鈥檚 go,鈥欌�� he said. 鈥淎nd then we went, 鈥楬ey, you want to be crazy and drive to Chicago and then do Route 66 to L.A. and then up the coast?鈥� I mean, she鈥檚 going to be a senior, so it's like at some point she's going to be out of the house. So, (I figured,) let鈥檚 go have some fun together.鈥�

The Krafts researched historic places on the route like Tee Pee Curios in Tucumcari, where they stopped June 5 to look at a variety of Route 66-related items, ranging from magnets to coffee mugs.

鈥淢y big thing was that it had to be (places) that have been here forever,鈥� Tor Kraft said. 鈥淪o that's why we stopped here and at the Blue Swallow (Motel).鈥�

Briar Kraft said being on Route 66 during the centennial year is 鈥渇antastic.鈥�

As the Krafts shopped for a trip memento, Tee Pee Curios owner Gar Engman reminisced about his vacations on the Mother Road, which eventually led him to buying the business.

鈥淚 started doing Route 66 in 鈥�06,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 wish I鈥檇 done it sooner.鈥�

Engman said one of his favorite places to visit was Tee Pee Curios, which is in the shape of a teepee, surrounded by a neon sign and old pickup. After visiting the business many times, he decided to one day take the plunge and buy the roadside attraction.

In 2012, he contacted owner Mike Callens, who told him he was ready to retire after 28 years.

鈥淚 (asked), 鈥楽o, it鈥檚 for sale?'" Engman said. 鈥淎nd he said, 鈥榊es, sir.鈥� So I gave him my business card and said, 鈥業鈥檓 interested.鈥� A year later, I came down and said, 鈥榊ou probably don鈥檛 remember me.鈥�

鈥溾�極h, yes I do,鈥� he said. 鈥業 got your card right here in the cash register.鈥� I鈥檓 like, really? So then we struck up the deal and Aug. 1, 2013, I took possession, and I just love it.鈥�

The gift shop is one of several businesses travelers visit in the Quay County community of about 5,000 people.

A 鈥榥ostalgic beacon鈥�

A block from the Tee Pee is the Blue Swallow Motel, originally called the Blue Swallow Court, which opened in 1940.

鈥淭he Blue Swallow is our happy place and it鈥檚 a warm, welcoming, nostalgic beacon on old Route 66 in Tucumcari,鈥� co-owner Robert Frederico said.

Chris Fowlkes said he took two weeks off from his job in the Knoxville, Tennessee-area to hit the Mother Road and check out the motel.

鈥淚鈥檓 interested in the history, the whole feel of coming down the road, seeing the lights and pulling your car in and looking for a vacancy light,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 nostalgic.鈥�

Drive down Main Street, and aside from neon signs, there are a slew of classic automobiles like a 1951 Buick and 1957 Hudson, which sit at the Blue Swallow. There are also several murals, many of which were created by artist Doug Quarles. One, 鈥淭he Legendary Road,鈥� pays homage to the area鈥檚 history, which dates back hundreds of years.

In 1901, the city was founded by the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad. It was called 鈥淩agtown鈥� and 鈥淪ix Shooter Siding鈥� before being renamed for the nearby mountain.

Tucumcari is derived from the Comanche word 鈥渢ukanukaru,鈥� which means 鈥渢o lie in wait for something to approach.鈥�

鈥淲hat makes our community so unique is that it sits at the intersection of two of the nation's most important transportation stories 鈥� the railroad and Route 66,鈥� Tucumcari Main Street Executive Director Connie Loveland said. 鈥淲hen Route 66 was established in 1926, Tucumcari found itself along one of the most famous highways in the world.

鈥淎s automobile travel exploded, the city evolved into a destination for travelers seeking fuel, lodging, food and adventure. The neon signs, motor courts, diners and roadside attractions that made Tucumcari famous became part of the shared American road trip experience.鈥�

The town鈥檚 nostalgic vibe inspired California resident William Cooke III to invest in the community.

鈥淚 think Tucumcari holds so much history and so much (of a) real 66 feel,鈥� he said in an email. 鈥淚t is a giant part of any Route 66 trip. Tucumcari is Route 66.鈥�

Cooke said he purchased the former Relax Inn and will be reopening it as the Longhorn Ranch Motel, named after the former business near Moriarty. While it is unclear when it will be ready for guests, he said it will have Route 66, car and ranch themes.

But that is not all Cooke is planning.

He is also restoring a former Shamrock gas station that he said will become an auto repair shop 鈥渢o honor the filling station history.鈥� Next to it, Cooke will operate a used car business that will feature vintage automobiles for sale and a gift shop with custom-made souvenirs.

鈥淭he name of the dealership alone tells you what a fun shop it will be, 鈥楲oose Cannon Auto Sales LLC,鈥欌�� he said.

Loveland said the work Cooke is doing to clean up and improve the properties has been refreshing to see.

鈥淲e appreciate his willingness to invest here,鈥� she said, 鈥渁nd we're looking forward to working with Mr. Cooke as he continues bringing new life to these properties and helping move Tucumcari forward.鈥�

Gregory R.C. Hasman is a general assignment reporter and the Road Warrior. He can be reached at ghasman@abqjournal.com or 505-823-3820.