Many travelers like to retrace historic Route 66. I know several Europeans who traveled to the USA just to do a road trip along Route 66.
One of the classic stops on this highway is the historic El Rancho Hotel in Gallup. The is a Western-themed hotel which welcomed many movie stars in the 1930s and 1940s who were filming Westerns in the area. The list of celebrities who have stayed here is extensive and includes (among many others) Doris Day, Jack Benny, John Wayne, and Humphrey Bogart.
The El Rancho was built by R.E. Griffith, brother of well-known director D.W. Griffith who "encouraged" film crews to use the El Rancho when filming in the beautiful desert around Gallup. Stars arrived in town on in Sante Fe Railway trains and were given the VIP treatment, including a wagon ride to the El Rancho. The hotel is now a national historic site.
(Lobby of the El Rancho, including an ancient cigarette vending machine)
When you visit the hotel today, you can explore its historic lobby, have a good meal of Mexican or American food in its restaurant (as my wife and I did), and enjoy shopping in its southwest-themed gift shop.
We never stayed at the hotel, although I think it would be interesting to do so. Individual rooms are all named after a movie star who slept in them.
The following photo of the hotel's lobby provided last Saturday's One Clue Mystery photo. It was recognized by Professor Abe, Jonathan L and George G -- congratulations to all!
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