(Almost) Abandoned America: Glenrio

Glenrio sits on the border of Texas and New Mexico just off Interstate 40. At first blush, it looks like a Route 66 ghost town, a sad reminder that getting an Interstate exist often wasn't enough to save a town; the lucky ones got two, forming a loop. The Longhorn Motel, the “First and Last in Texas,” as the sign no longer says after years of decay, is falling apart, within sight of the highway. A gas station is barely identifiable. The houses don't look much better.

The dogs barking threateningly are the first sign that reports of the town's abandonment may have been premature. At least, you hope those dogs are domesticated and contained, because they're barking at you, and they're not going to stop as long as you're in town.

The dogs, as it turns out, are at a house behind another old gas station, where the modern, clean cars in the driveway indicate current residence. This puts something of a damper on exploration: I'm not sure why someone would live here, but it's probably not because they enjoy random people hanging around. And the dogs make sure whoever it is knows you're there.

Glenrio's population never exceeded about 30, but in its day, it had a railroad depot (the tracks are gone), a post office, a diner, a newspaper, and a welcome center. The town literally straddles the border; everything west of the motel is in New Mexico. Scenes from Grapes of Wrath were filmed here. This is the real deal. It's regrettable that I don't feel comfortable exploring off the road, or indeed staying long.

This last time through I had resolved to at least check out the Longhorn Motel – but someone was there, with a truck and trailer, the nature of their business unknown. Encounters on lonely roads like this can go wrong very quickly, so a visit is not a priority.

A house well off the other side of the road appeared to be occupied as well. But it's the dogs that always put me off.

The pavement on Route 66 ends just west of town. My car doesn't like not having pavement, so I don't know if it goes anywhere interesting. Exploration for another time in another vehicle.

More pictures from Glenrio can be found in my Texas Route 66 gallery.