101 W. Santa Fe Avenue
ATSF Depot (Combination Depot Functions)
The ATSF Depot at 102 W. Santa Fe Avenue functioned as a full combination depot, serving passengers, freight shipments, and railroad office operations under one roof. Travelers purchased tickets and waited for trains on the passenger side, while freight and express shipments were handled through the adjoining freight room. Telegraph and administrative offices supported daily operations and connected Grants to the wider ATSF network. Before the 1937 realignment of Route 66, this entire building sat directly on the original “Pre‑37” alignment, making it a central hub for both rail and early automobile traffic.
Combination depots like the one in Grants were common across the ATSF system, especially in growing towns. The building’s multiple functions supported local businesses, travelers, and freight distribution throughout the region. After the Great Fire of 1936 reshaped the block, the depot continued to serve as a key transportation anchor until mid‑century redevelopment and the 1937 Route 66 realignment shifted traffic to the new straightened corridor. The later Horace alignment and the partially hidden segment west of town reflect how transportation routes evolved around this site.
ATSF Depot — Passenger, Freight & Office Functions (1912–1950)
Owner: Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway
-
Building Type: ATSF Combination Depot
-
Functions: Passenger waiting room, ticket office, freight room, express shipments, telegraph/dispatcher office
-
Construction: Wood‑frame with board‑and‑batten siding
-
Roof: Gabled roof with wide eaves
-
Era of Use: c. 1910–1960s
-
Parcel Context: Original depot footprint on the Pre‑37 alignment
-
Post‑Fire Notes: Survived the 1936 fire; surrounding block rebuilt
-
Demolition/Removal: Removed during mid‑century redevelopment after 1937 realignment
Combination depots like this one were common across the ATSF system, serving as both transportation hubs and community anchors. The Grants depot supported local businesses, travelers, and freight distribution throughout the region. After the Great Fire of 1936 reshaped the surrounding block, the depot continued operating until mid‑century redevelopment and the 1937 Route 66 realignment shifted traffic to the new straightened corridor. The building was eventually removed as the town modernized and rail operations changed.
The ATSF Depot at 101 W. Santa Fe Avenue was a full combination depot, designed to house passenger services, freight handling, and railroad office operations within a single structure. The passenger area included a waiting room and ticket office, while the freight room managed express shipments and cargo transfers. Telegraph and administrative offices supported daily operations and connected Grants to the wider ATSF network. The depot’s architecture reflected standard ATSF design for developing towns, with wood‑frame construction, board‑and‑batten siding, and wide eaves that sheltered passengers and freight workers alike.
1912
Grant — Carrot Capital of the World
Valencia County
102 W. Santa Fe Avenue
Swastika Cottage Camp Parcel
The parcel at 102 W. Santa Fe Avenue formed the eastern portion of the early commercial block along the original Pre‑1937 alignment of Route 66. Beginning in 1926, the site became home to the Swastika Cottage Camp, one of Grants’ earliest auto‑tourist lodging businesses. The parcel included a narrow street‑front café facing Santa Fe Avenue, with a row of tourist cabins extending behind it. Positioned directly beside the Woodard Hotel, the 102 parcel helped create a continuous commercial frontage that served both local residents and early motorists.
The 1936 fire destroyed much of the rear cabin area, though the café structure survived temporarily and appears in photographs taken shortly afterward. The parcel was later redeveloped into the California Hotel & Café as the block modernized following the 1937 Route 66 realignment.
The 102 parcel illustrates the transition from early auto‑tourist camps to more substantial hotel development along the corridor. Its position beside the Woodard Hotel made it a natural location for traveler‑oriented services. After the fire and the 1937 realignment, the parcel shifted from small‑scale motor‑camp use to a more permanent hotel and café structure, reflecting broader changes in Grants’ commercial landscape.
1926
Grant — Carrot Capital of the World
Valencia County
Swastika Cottage Camp (1926-1936)
Owner: Hotel Woodard (lodging portion)
Owner: Nick Patrakis (Cottage Camp Restaurant)
-
Business Type: Auto‑tourist cottage camp with attached street‑front café
-
Construction: Wood‑frame cabins arranged behind a 1‑story front café
-
Frontage: Café faced Santa Fe Avenue; cabins extended to the rear of the parcel
-
Era of Operation: 1926–1936
-
Relationship to Woodard Hotel: Café shared the east wall line with the Woodard Hotel
-
Fire History: Rear cabins destroyed in the 1936 fire; café survived temporarily
-
Post‑Fire Development: Parcel redeveloped into the California Hotel & Café in the late 1930s
Swastika Cottage Camp opened in 1926 as one of Grants’ earliest auto‑tourist lodging businesses along the original Pre‑1937 alignment of Route 66. The operation combined a narrow street‑front café with a series of small overnight cabins arranged behind it. Motorists could park beside the cabins, eat at the café, and stay overnight in simple accommodations typical of early motor‑camp design.
​
The café sat directly beside the Woodard Hotel, forming a continuous commercial frontage that served both local residents and travelers. The Cottage Camp became a recognizable stop for early motorists, offering affordable lodging during the rise of automobile tourism. The 1936 fire destroyed the rear cabin area, though the café structure survived and appears in photographs taken shortly afterward. As the block modernized following the 1937 Route 66 realignment, the site transitioned into the California Hotel & Café, reflecting the shift from small motor camps to more substantial hotel development.
Early auto‑tourist camps like Swastika Cottage Camp were common along the first generation of Route 66, offering basic lodging before the rise of modern motels. The Grants camp reflected this transitional era, with simple cabins and a small café serving motorists and local workers. After the 1936 fire and the 1937 realignment, the parcel evolved into a more permanent hotel and café structure, mirroring broader changes in Grants’ commercial landscape and the increasing expectations of travelers along the highway.
1978
Grant — Carrot Capital of the World
Valencia County
103 W. Santa Fe Avenue
Downtown Grants
Allsup's Convenience Store #89 Parcel
Allsup’s Store #89 opened on the 103 W. Santa Fe parcel in the early 1970s, marking a shift in the corridor from traditional Route 66 cafés and hotels to modern convenience‑store retail. Positioned on the 1937 straightened alignment, the store served both local residents and motorists traveling NM 122, NM 53, and the I‑40 Business Loop. Its location near First Street and the former ATSF Depot made it a natural stop for fuel, groceries, and quick‑service items.
As the corridor evolved after the decommissioning of U.S. 66, Allsup’s #89 adapted with updated fuel pumps, expanded retail offerings, and the chain’s signature hot‑food service. While surrounding parcels transitioned from mid‑century hotels and cafés to modern service businesses, Allsup’s remained a stable anchor on Santa Fe Avenue, reflecting the corridor’s shift from long‑distance tourism to everyday local commerce.
The rise of convenience stores like Allsup’s signaled a major change in the commercial identity of Santa Fe Avenue. As Route 66 tourism declined and I‑40 diverted long‑distance travelers, businesses focused on fuel, groceries, and quick retail filled the gap. Allsup’s #89 became part of this new era, serving commuters, residents, and regional travelers. Its longevity makes it one of the defining features of the post‑Route‑66 commercial landscape in Grants.
Allsup’s Convenience Stores # 89 (1978–current)
Owner: Allsup's Convenience Stores, Inc.
-
Business Type: Convenience store and fuel service
-
Construction: Single‑story masonry retail structure
-
Frontage: Directly on the 1937 Route 66 alignment (later NM 122 / I‑40 Business)
-
Era of Operation: Early 1970s–Present
-
Fuel Service: Added early in its operation; updated multiple times
-
Chain Identity: One of the earliest Allsup’s locations in Grants
-
Parcel Context: Mid‑block parcel between First Street and the former California Hotel site
-
Continuity: Longest‑running modern business on this block
Allsup’s Store #89 opened on the 103 W. Santa Fe parcel in the early 1970s, marking a shift from the mid‑century motel and café landscape of Route 66 to modern convenience‑store retail. Positioned on the 1937 straightened alignment, the store served both local residents and motorists traveling NM 122, NM 53, and the I‑40 Business Loop. Its proximity to First Street and the former ATSF Depot made it a natural stop for fuel, groceries, and quick‑service items.
​
As the corridor evolved after the decommissioning of U.S. 66, Allsup’s #89 adapted with updated fuel pumps, expanded retail offerings, and the chain’s signature hot‑food service. While surrounding parcels transitioned from older highway‑era businesses to contemporary service uses, Allsup’s remained a stable anchor on Santa Fe Avenue, reflecting the corridor’s shift from long‑distance tourism to everyday local commerce.
The rise of convenience stores like Allsup’s signaled a major change in the commercial identity of Santa Fe Avenue. As Route 66 tourism declined and I‑40 diverted long‑distance travelers, businesses focused on fuel, groceries, and quick retail filled the gap. Allsup’s #89 became part of this new era, serving commuters, residents, and regional travelers. Its longevity makes it one of the defining features of the post‑Route‑66 commercial landscape in Grants.
1978
Grant — Carrot Capital of the World
Valencia County
104 W. Santa Fe Avenue
Downtown Grants
Hotel Woodard Parcel
Following the removal of the Hotel Woodard in the late 1930s, the parcel at 104 W. Santa Fe Avenue was redeveloped into the California Hotel, a modern lodging house built specifically for the newly straightened 1937 Route 66 alignment. The new hotel sat directly on the improved highway corridor, giving it strong visibility to motorists entering Grants from the east.
​
The parcel’s corner position at First Street made it one of the most prominent commercial sites on the block. The California Hotel became a defining mid‑century landmark, reflecting the shift from early railroad‑era lodging to automobile‑oriented accommodations that characterized the Route 66 travel boom.
The California Hotel represents the second major development phase on the 104 parcel. Its construction marked the transition from early wood‑frame hotels to more durable, stucco‑and‑masonry buildings designed for automobile travelers. The hotel’s long operation and corner placement made it a key visual anchor during the height of Route 66 tourism.
1916
Grants — Carrot Capital of the World
Valencia County
104 W. Santa Fe Avenue
Hotel Woodard (1916-1936)
Owner: George Sherman Woodard
-
Built: circa 1915
-
Building Style: Two story wood and frame
-
Opened: 1916
-
Business Type: Hotel
-
Rooms: 22
-
Years in Service: 20
-
Burned Down: 1936
“Fire started in the rear of the Woodard in 1936.”
Hotel Woodard served as one of early Santa Fe Avenue’s primary lodging houses from 1916 until its destruction in the Great Fire of 1936. The two‑story structure stood directly beside the Swastika Cottage Camp Restaurant, forming a continuous commercial frontage along the west side of the street. This side‑by‑side arrangement was typical of early Route 66–era development, where hotels and cafés operated as linked but independently run businesses. When the 1936 fire ignited in the rear of the Woodard, the hotel was consumed quickly, along with the Cottage Camp cabins. The loss of the Woodard cleared the way for the construction of the California Hotel in 1938, which reused the same footprint but in a simplified, single‑story form.
-
Fire started in the rear of the Woodard
-
Spread forward
-
Destroyed the hotel and cabins
-
Cottage Camp Restaurant survived temporarily
-
Demolished 1938–1940
-
California Hotel built in 1938
California Hotel & Café (1937–1966)
Owner: Nick Patrakis
Owner: Nick Patrakis (Cottage Camp Restaurant)
-
Business Type: Mid‑century hotel and lodging house
-
Structure: Two‑story masonry/stucco commercial hotel
-
Construction Date: Late 1930s (post‑realignment redevelopment)
-
Operational Era: Late 1930s–1970s
-
Frontage: Directly on the 1937 Route 66 alignment (later NM 122 / I‑40 Business Loop)
-
Parcel Position: Southeast corner of the 100 block at First Street
-
Function: Lodging for Route 66 motorists and regional travelers
-
Relationship: Successor to the Hotel Woodard on the same parcel
-
Visibility: High‑profile corner site with strong highway exposure
-
Fate: Closed as travel patterns shifted toward I‑40 corridor motels
The California Hotel emerged as a modern lodging house built to serve travelers on the newly straightened 1937 Route 66 alignment. Its two‑story profile, corner placement, and updated architectural style made it a recognizable landmark for motorists entering Grants from the east. The hotel offered affordable rooms, convenient access to downtown businesses, and proximity to the ATSF Depot, making it a popular stop for both tourists and regional travelers.
​
Throughout the mid‑20th century, the California Hotel remained a steady presence on Santa Fe Avenue. Its location on the 1937 alignment ensured consistent traffic, and its design reflected the shift from early railroad‑era lodging to automobile‑oriented accommodations. The hotel operated for several decades before eventually closing as newer motels emerged along the I‑40 corridor.
-
Fire started in the rear of the Woodard
-
Spread forward
-
Destroyed the hotel and cabins
-
Cottage Camp Restaurant survived temporarily
-
Demolished 1938–1940
-
California Hotel built in 1938
The California Hotel represents the height of mid‑century Route 66 lodging in Grants. Built during the modernization of the corridor, it replaced earlier wood‑frame structures with a more durable, automobile‑focused design. Its long operation and prominent corner location made it one of the defining buildings of the 100 block during the peak years of Route 66 travel.
105 W. Santa Fe Avenue
Downtown Grants
Restaurant Parcel
The parcel at 105 W. Santa Fe Avenue occupies a mid‑block position on the south side of the 100 block, directly on the 1937 straightened alignment of Route 66. With a larger footprint than the neighboring parcels, 105 developed into one of the corridor’s primary restaurant sites during the late 20th century. Its central location between Allsup’s to the west and the smaller commercial parcels to the east made it a natural anchor for sit‑down dining along Santa Fe Avenue.
​
Beginning in 1978, the parcel became best known as the home of K‑BOB’s Steakhouse, a regional chain restaurant that brought a modern, family‑style dining experience to downtown Grants. The building’s size, visibility, and direct frontage on NM 122 and the I‑40 Business Loop helped establish the site as a long‑running food‑service destination.
The 105 parcel reflects the shift from early Route 66 cafés to larger, full‑service restaurants designed for both local residents and highway travelers. Its long association with K‑BOB’s and later restaurant tenants makes it one of the defining mid‑block commercial sites of the post‑Route‑66 era.
1978
Grant — Carrot Capital of the World
Valencia County
K‑BOB’s Steakhouse (1978–current)
Owner: Allsup's Convenience Stores, Inc.
-
Business Type: Full‑service steakhouse and family restaurant
-
Structure: Single‑story masonry restaurant building with large dining floor
-
Opening Year: 1978
-
Frontage: Directly on the 1937 Route 66 alignment (later NM 122 / I‑40 Business Loop)
-
Parcel Position: Mid‑block between Allsup’s and the eastern commercial parcels
-
Primary Era: Late 1970s–1990s
-
Successor Uses: China Gate, Aloha BBQ, China Gate II, NM Title Loans, new restaurant tenant
-
Significance: One of the most recognizable restaurant sites on Santa Fe Avenue
K‑BOB’s Steakhouse opened at 105 W. Santa Fe Avenue in 1978, bringing a modern, family‑style dining option to downtown Grants. As one of the larger restaurant buildings on the corridor, K‑BOB’s quickly became a popular gathering place for residents, travelers, and families. Its recognizable branding and regional chain identity made it a familiar stop for motorists using NM 122 and the I‑40 Business Loop.
​
The restaurant operated through the 1980s and 1990s, during a period when Santa Fe Avenue was transitioning from a Route 66 travel corridor to a locally focused business district. After K‑BOB’s closed, the building continued to support restaurant operations under several tenants, demonstrating the parcel’s long‑standing role as a food‑service anchor.
K‑BOB’s represents the late‑20th‑century evolution of Santa Fe Avenue, when larger, sit‑down restaurants replaced the earlier cafés and motor‑court dining rooms of the Route 66 era. Its opening in 1978 marked a new phase of commercial development on the block, and its long presence helped define the character of the corridor for decades.
108 W. Santa Fe Avenue
Downtown Grants
Tropical Lounge & Junior Bar Parcel
The parcel at 108 W. Santa Fe Avenue developed shortly after the 1937 straightening of Route 66 and became home to one of the block’s earliest mid‑century nightlife venues. By the 1940s, the Tropical Lounge & Junior Bar operated here as a combined bar and cocktail establishment, serving both local residents and travelers.
​
In the mid‑1950s, the business adopted a new name — the California Bar — continuing its role as a popular mid‑century social venue. The building originally extended farther west than the current Pizza Hut footprint. In the late 1960s, the west end of the bar building was subdivided, creating the parcel that would become 110 W. Santa Fe.
​
The remaining portion of the bar building stayed in operation until 1973, when it was removed to make way for Pizza Hut.
The Tropical Lounge & Junior Bar, later known as the California Bar, reflects the mid‑century evolution of Santa Fe Avenue. These establishments helped define the social identity of the corridor during the Route 66 era.
1940
Grants — Carrot Capital of the World
Valencia County
Tropical Lounge & Junior Bar (1940–1969)
Owner: Nick Patrakis
Owner: Nick Patrakis (Cottage Camp Restaurant)
-
Type: Bar, lounge, cocktail establishment
-
Structure: Single‑story commercial building
-
Opened: 1940s
-
Renamed: California Bar (mid‑1950s)
-
Operational Era: 1940s–1973
-
Frontage: 1937 Route 66 alignment (later NM 122 / I‑40 Business Loop)
-
Parcel Position: Mid‑block
-
West‑end subdivision: Late 1960s (became 110 W. Santa Fe)
-
Fate: Demolished in 1973 for Pizza Hut
The Tropical Lounge & Junior Bar opened in the 1940s, becoming one of the earliest nightlife venues on the modernized Route 66 corridor. The combined bar and cocktail lounge served a diverse clientele, including local residents, railroad workers, and motorists.
​
By the mid‑1950s, the business was known as the California Bar. The building appears in late‑1960s photographs, showing the newly constructed 110 W. Santa Fe attached to its west end. The bar remained a recognizable part of Santa Fe Avenue’s commercial identity until 1973, when it was removed and replaced with Pizza Hut.
The Tropical Lounge / California Bar illustrates the shift from early automobile‑era nightlife to the more modern commercial landscape that emerged in the 1970s.
108 W. Santa Fe Avenue
Downtown Grants
California Bar Parcel
The parcel at 108 W. Santa Fe Avenue developed shortly after the 1937 straightening of Route 66 and became home to one of the block’s earliest mid‑century nightlife venues. By the 1940s, the Tropical Lounge & Junior Bar operated here as a combined bar and cocktail establishment, serving both local residents and travelers.
​
In the mid‑1950s, the business adopted a new name — the California Bar — continuing its role as a popular mid‑century social venue. The building originally extended farther west than the current Pizza Hut footprint. In the late 1960s, the west end of the bar building was subdivided, creating the parcel that would become 110 W. Santa Fe.
​
The remaining portion of the bar building stayed in operation until 1973, when it was removed to make way for Pizza Hut.
The Tropical Lounge & Junior Bar, later known as the California Bar, reflects the mid‑century evolution of Santa Fe Avenue. These establishments helped define the social identity of the corridor during the Route 66 era.
1950
Grant — Carrot Capital of the World
Valencia County
California Bar (1940s–1973)
Owner: Nick Patrakis
Owner: Nick Patrakis (Cottage Camp Restaurant)
-
Type: Bar, lounge, cocktail establishment
-
Structure: Single‑story commercial building
-
Opened: 1940s
-
Renamed: California Bar (mid‑1950s)
-
Operational Era: 1940s–1973
-
Frontage: 1937 Route 66 alignment (later NM 122 / I‑40 Business Loop)
-
Parcel Position: Mid‑block
-
West‑end subdivision: Late 1960s (became 110 W. Santa Fe)
-
Fate: Demolished in 1973 for Pizza Hut
The Tropical Lounge & Junior Bar opened in the 1940s, becoming one of the earliest nightlife venues on the modernized Route 66 corridor. The combined bar and cocktail lounge served a diverse clientele, including local residents, railroad workers, and motorists.
​
By the mid‑1950s, the business was known as the California Bar. The building appears in late‑1960s photographs, showing the newly constructed 110 W. Santa Fe attached to its west end. The bar remained a recognizable part of Santa Fe Avenue’s commercial identity until 1973, when it was removed and replaced with Pizza Hut.
The Tropical Lounge / California Bar illustrates the shift from early automobile‑era nightlife to the more modern commercial landscape that emerged in the 1970s.
108 W. Santa Fe Avenue
Downtown Grants
Pizza Hut Parcel
In 1973, the remaining portion of the California Bar building was removed and replaced with a new Pizza Hut restaurant. The new structure introduced a modern architectural style to the block and marked a significant change in the commercial identity of the 108 parcel.
​
Located directly on NM 122 and the I‑40 Business Loop, Pizza Hut quickly became a recognizable landmark for both local residents and regional travelers. Its long‑term operation has made it one of the most stable and enduring businesses on Santa Fe Avenue.
Pizza Hut’s construction in 1973 reflects the broader shift from mid‑century local establishments to national brands as travel patterns moved toward the interstate system.
1973
Grant — Carrot Capital of the World
Valencia County
Pizza Hut (1973–current)
Owner: Nick Patrakis
Owner: Nick Patrakis (Cottage Camp Restaurant)
-
Type: National chain restaurant
-
Structure: Single‑story brick restaurant
-
Built: 1973
-
Operational Era: 1973–present
-
Frontage: NM 122 / I‑40 Business Loop
-
Parcel Position: Mid‑block
-
Significance: One of the longest‑running chain restaurants in downtown Grants
Pizza Hut opened at 108 W. Santa Fe Avenue in 1973, replacing the California Bar with a modern chain‑restaurant building. Its arrival marked a new era in the commercial development of Santa Fe Avenue, reflecting national trends in dining and the growing influence of interstate travel.
Pizza Hut’s presence highlights the transformation of Santa Fe Avenue from a mid‑century nightlife corridor to a modern dining and service district.
110 W. Santa Fe Avenue
Downtown Grants
Tropical Lounge / California Bar Parcel
The parcel at 108 W. Santa Fe Avenue developed shortly after the 1937 straightening of Route 66 and became home to one of the block’s earliest mid‑century nightlife venues. By the 1940s, the Tropical Lounge & Junior Bar operated here as a combined bar and cocktail establishment, serving both local residents and travelers using the improved highway.
​
In the mid‑1950s, the business adopted a new name — the California Bar — but continued operating in the same building with the same function. This bar remained a familiar gathering place on Santa Fe Avenue until the building was removed in 1973 to make way for Pizza Hut.
The Tropical Lounge & Junior Bar, later known as the California Bar, reflects the mid‑century evolution of Santa Fe Avenue. These establishments helped define the social identity of the corridor during the Route 66 era, offering nightlife and entertainment to both locals and motorists.
California Bar (c. 1950–1969)
Owner: Nick Patrakis
Owner: Nick Patrakis (Cottage Camp Restaurant)
-
Business Type: Bar, lounge, and cocktail establishment
-
Structure: Single‑story commercial building
-
Original Opening: 1940s
-
Renamed: California Bar (mid‑1950s)
-
Operational Era: 1940s–1973
-
Frontage: Directly on the 1937 Route 66 alignment (later NM 122 / I‑40 Business Loop)
-
Parcel Position: Mid‑block between California Hotel and later Allsup’s
-
Fate: Building demolished in 1973 for construction of Pizza Hut
The Tropical Lounge & Junior Bar opened in the 1940s, becoming one of the earliest nightlife venues on the modernized Route 66 corridor in Grants. The combined bar and cocktail lounge served a diverse clientele, including local residents, railroad workers, and motorists traveling the newly improved highway.
In the mid‑1950s, the business was renamed the California Bar, continuing its role as a mid‑century social hub. The bar remained a recognizable part of Santa Fe Avenue’s commercial identity until 1973, when the building was removed and replaced with a new Pizza Hut restaurant.
The Tropical Lounge / California Bar illustrates the shift from early automobile‑era nightlife to the more modern commercial landscape that emerged in the 1970s. Its long operation on the 108 parcel reflects the evolving needs of travelers and the community during the Route 66 era.
108 W. Santa Fe Avenue
Downtown Grants
Tropical Lounge / California Bar Parcel
The parcel at 108 W. Santa Fe Avenue developed shortly after the 1937 straightening of Route 66 and became home to one of the block’s earliest mid‑century nightlife venues. By the 1940s, the Tropical Lounge & Junior Bar operated here as a combined bar and cocktail establishment, serving both local residents and travelers using the improved highway.
​
In the mid‑1950s, the business adopted a new name — the California Bar — but continued operating in the same building with the same function. This bar remained a familiar gathering place on Santa Fe Avenue until the building was removed in 1973 to make way for Pizza Hut.
The Tropical Lounge & Junior Bar, later known as the California Bar, reflects the mid‑century evolution of Santa Fe Avenue. These establishments helped define the social identity of the corridor during the Route 66 era, offering nightlife and entertainment to both locals and motorists.
1978
Grant — Carrot Capital of the World
Valencia County
Pizza Hut (1973–current)
Owner: Nick Patrakis
Owner: Nick Patrakis (Cottage Camp Restaurant)
-
Business Type: Bar, lounge, and cocktail establishment
-
Structure: Single‑story commercial building
-
Construction/Opening: Early 1940s
-
Operational Era: 1940s–early 1970s
-
Frontage: Directly on the 1937 Route 66 alignment (later NM 122 / I‑40 Business Loop)
-
Parcel Position: Mid‑block between California Hotel and later Allsup’s
-
Later Name: California Bar
-
Fate: Building removed in 1973 for construction of Pizza Hut
The Tropical Lounge & Junior Bar represents the mid‑century evolution of Santa Fe Avenue, when Route 66 supported a mix of bars, cafés, and service businesses. Its long presence on the 108 parcel reflects the corridor’s transition from early automobile travel to the more modern commercial landscape that emerged in the 1970s.
110 W. Santa Fe Avenue
Downtown Grants
Late‑1960s Infill Parcel
The building at 110 W. Santa Fe Avenue was constructed in the late 1960s on the west end of the former Tropical Lounge/California Bar parcel. This subdivision occurred before the bar was demolished, and the new structure appears in late‑1960s photographs of the California Bar.
​
The first documented tenant was Pacific Finance, which relocated here by 1973 after previously operating at 807 W. Santa Fe Avenue in 1966, 1967, and 1968. Over the next five decades, the building housed a sequence of small professional, retail, and service businesses that reflect the changing needs of Grants residents as Santa Fe Avenue transitioned from a Route 66 travel corridor into a locally focused business district.
The development of 110 W. Santa Fe reflects the final wave of mid‑century infill along the 100 block, providing new commercial space as Grants expanded and diversified.
1973
Grant — Carrot Capital of the World
Valencia County
Pacific Finance Inc. (1973–1980s)
Owner:
Owner: Nick Patrakis (Cottage Camp Restaurant)
-
Building Type: Multi‑tenant commercial storefront
-
Structure: Single‑story, late‑1960s construction
-
Built: Late 1960s
-
Parcel Origin: Constructed on the west end of the former Tropical Lounge/California Bar parcel
-
First Documented Tenant: Pacific Finance (1973–1978)
-
Frontage: 1937 Route 66 alignment (later NM 122 / I‑40 Business Loop)
-
Parcel Position: Mid‑block, immediately west of 108 (Pizza Hut)
-
Significance: Final wave of mid‑century infill on the south side of the 100 block
-
Use Pattern: Professional services → cosmetics → western wear → wireless retail → personal grooming
Pacific Finance was the first known tenant in the new late‑1960s building at 110 W. Santa Fe. After operating at 807 W. Santa Fe in 1966–1968, the company relocated to this mid‑block infill space by 1973 and remained there through 1978.
​
The move reflects a shift in Grants’ commercial gravity—from the far‑west end of Santa Fe Avenue toward the more centralized 100 block—as professional services followed traffic and visibility along the NM 122 / I‑40 Business Loop corridor.
Pacific Finance anchors the early history of 110 W. Santa Fe and defines its first era as a professional‑services address.
110 W. Santa Fe Avenue
Downtown Grants
Late‑1960s infill parcel
Merle Norman Cosmetics occupied 110 W. Santa Fe during the 1980s into the early 1990s, bringing a national beauty and skincare franchise into the heart of downtown Grants. The shop offered makeup, skincare products, and personalized cosmetic consultations, serving local residents and highway traffic alike.
​
Its tenancy marks a clear shift in the building’s role—from financial services to specialty retail—as Santa Fe Avenue matured into a corridor of small, locally used storefronts rather than strictly highway‑oriented businesses.
Merle Norman represents the building’s transition into personal‑care retail, mirroring broader 1980s trends in beauty and self‑care.
1978
Grant — Carrot Capital of the World
Valencia County
Grants Boots & Saddle (1990s – 2012)
Owner: Nick Patrakis
Owner: Nick Patrakis (Cottage Camp Restaurant)
-
Business Type: Bar, lounge, and cocktail establishment
-
Structure: Single‑story commercial building
-
Construction/Opening: Early 1940s
-
Operational Era: 1940s–early 1970s
-
Frontage: Directly on the 1937 Route 66 alignment (later NM 122 / I‑40 Business Loop)
-
Parcel Position: Mid‑block between California Hotel and later Allsup’s
-
Later Name: California Bar
-
Fate: Building removed in 1973 for construction of Pizza Hut
Grants Boots & Saddle became one of the longest‑running tenants at 110 W. Santa Fe. The business is documented at this address in 2002, 2009, and 2012, with its run likely beginning in the 1990s.
​
The store specialized in boots, western clothing, and tack, serving ranchers, rodeo participants, and residents who identified with the region’s western and rural culture. Its longevity shows how strongly western‑wear retail fit both the local economy and identity of Grants.
Grants Boots & Saddle anchored the building for more than a decade, tying 110 W. Santa Fe directly to the ranching and western‑lifestyle traditions of Cibola County.
110 W. Santa Fe Avenue
Downtown Grants
Late‑1960s infill parcel
The parcel at 108 W. Santa Fe Avenue developed shortly after the 1937 straightening of Route 66 and became home to one of the block’s earliest mid‑century nightlife venues. By the 1940s, the Tropical Lounge & Junior Bar operated here as a combined bar and cocktail establishment, serving both local residents and travelers using the improved highway.
​
In the mid‑1950s, the business adopted a new name — the California Bar — but continued operating in the same building with the same function. This bar remained a familiar gathering place on Santa Fe Avenue until the building was removed in 1973 to make way for Pizza Hut.
The Tropical Lounge & Junior Bar, later known as the California Bar, reflects the mid‑century evolution of Santa Fe Avenue. These establishments helped define the social identity of the corridor during the Route 66 era, offering nightlife and entertainment to both locals and motorists.
1978
Grant — Carrot Capital of the World
Valencia County
Ensignal Verizon Wireless (2000s – 2019)
Owner: Nick Patrakis
Owner: Nick Patrakis (Cottage Camp Restaurant)
-
Business Type: Bar, lounge, and cocktail establishment
-
Structure: Single‑story commercial building
-
Construction/Opening: Early 1940s
-
Operational Era: 1940s–early 1970s
-
Frontage: Directly on the 1937 Route 66 alignment (later NM 122 / I‑40 Business Loop)
-
Parcel Position: Mid‑block between California Hotel and later Allsup’s
-
Later Name: California Bar
-
Fate: Building removed in 1973 for construction of Pizza Hut
Business history Ensignal Verizon Wireless occupied 110 W. Santa Fe during the rise of mobile phones and data plans as everyday necessities. The store is documented at this address from 2014 through 2019, and likely began in the late 2000s.
It offered wireless plans, smartphones, accessories, and technical support, replacing western‑wear retail with telecommunications services. This change reflects a broader economic and cultural shift—from outfitting ranch work to outfitting digital life.
Ensignal marks the building’s pivot into the digital era, aligning 110 W. Santa Fe with national trends in mobile technology and connectivity.
110 W. Santa Fe Avenue
Downtown Grants
Late‑1960s infill parcel
The parcel at 108 W. Santa Fe Avenue developed shortly after the 1937 straightening of Route 66 and became home to one of the block’s earliest mid‑century nightlife venues. By the 1940s, the Tropical Lounge & Junior Bar operated here as a combined bar and cocktail establishment, serving both local residents and travelers using the improved highway.
​
In the mid‑1950s, the business adopted a new name — the California Bar — but continued operating in the same building with the same function. This bar remained a familiar gathering place on Santa Fe Avenue until the building was removed in 1973 to make way for Pizza Hut.
The Tropical Lounge & Junior Bar, later known as the California Bar, reflects the mid‑century evolution of Santa Fe Avenue. These establishments helped define the social identity of the corridor during the Route 66 era, offering nightlife and entertainment to both locals and motorists.
Burress Barber Shop (2022–present)
Owner: Nick Patrakis
Owner: Nick Patrakis (Cottage Camp Restaurant)
-
Business Type: Bar, lounge, and cocktail establishment
-
Structure: Single‑story commercial building
-
Construction/Opening: Early 1940s
-
Operational Era: 1940s–early 1970s
-
Frontage: Directly on the 1937 Route 66 alignment (later NM 122 / I‑40 Business Loop)
-
Parcel Position: Mid‑block between California Hotel and later Allsup’s
-
Later Name: California Bar
-
Fate: Building removed in 1973 for construction of Pizza Hut
Burress Barber Shop opened at 110 W. Santa Fe in 2022 and continues the building’s long pattern of service‑oriented tenants. The shop provides haircuts and grooming in a small, walk‑in storefront, serving nearby residents and workers in the downtown area.
​
In contrast to chain‑based or highly specialized retail, Burress Barber Shop returns the building to a face‑to‑face, neighborhood‑scale service, emphasizing personal relationships and repeat local customers.
Burress Barber Shop brings 110 W. Santa Fe full‑circle—back to a community‑focused, everyday service after decades of financial, retail, and wireless uses
1912
Grant — Carrot Capital of the World
Valencia County
Grants Drug Store (1917–1936)
Owner: Nick Patrakis
Owner: Nick Patrakis (Cottage Camp Restaurant)
-
Business: Grants Drug Store
-
Opened: 1917
-
Destroyed: 1936 Woodard Block Fire
-
Structure: Early 20th‑century commercial storefront
-
Construction Era: Pre‑Route‑66 (before 1926)
-
Frontage: Original U.S. Route 66 alignment (1926–1937)
-
Parcel Position: Mid‑block, south side
-
Significance: One of the earliest modern retail businesses in Grants
The Grants Drug Store, established in 1917, was one of the first formal retail businesses in the developing Woodard Block. It served as a pharmacy, general drug counter, and community gathering point during the early years of Grants’ commercial growth.
​
The store operated during a transformative period in local history:
-
The arrival of the railroad workforce
-
The growth of the Woodard Hotel and Camp Woodard
-
The establishment of the first Route 66 alignment in 1926
-
The rise of Grants as a service stop for early motorists
-
​
For nearly two decades, Grants Drug Store was a stable anchor business in the district.
​
Its story ended abruptly on November 3, 1936, when the Woodard Block fire destroyed the building. The fire reshaped the entire block and erased several early structures, including the original 112 storefront.
The Grants Drug Store stood at the center of early downtown life and was lost in the 1936 fire that reshaped the Woodard Block.
114 W. Santa Fe Avenue
Downtown Grants
Whiteside Hotel & Café / Cactus Inn & Café
114 W. Santa Fe Avenue is one of the most historically significant parcels on the south side of the 100 block. The Whiteside Hotel & Café, built in 1918, stood immediately west of Grants Drug Store (112) and just beyond the alley that separated it from the Woodard Hotel (104). This placement is clearly visible in early photographs of the block.
​
The hotel was constructed by the Masonic Club for Lucy Jane “Mother” Whiteside, a respected midwife and early community figure. She operated the Whiteside Hotel & Café for 34 years, serving railroad workers, travelers, and local families.
​
In 1952, the Whiteside Hotel was demolished and replaced with a modern Route 66‑era motel, the Cactus Inn & Café, which opened the same year. Mother Whiteside sold the new business in 1953 to Popo Sanchez, who continued operating it through the height of mid‑century travel.
​
By the early 1970s, the building was removed, and the parcel became part of the West Theater parking lot, beginning at the west side of the Pacific Finance building.
114 W. Santa Fe evolved from an early‑town hotel to a mid‑century Route 66 motel before becoming part of the West Theater parking lot.
1966
Grant — Carrot Capital of the World
Valencia County
112 W. Santa Fe Avenue
Downtown Grants
Cactus Inn & Café
The Cactus Inn & Café opened in 1952 on the long‑established Whiteside parcel at 114 W. Santa Fe Avenue. Built by Lucy Jane “Mother” Whiteside, the motel replaced the earlier Whiteside Hotel & Café (1918–1952).
​
In 1953, Mother Whiteside sold the Cactus Inn to Popo Sanchez, who operated it through the height of mid‑century Route 66 travel. The business remained active into the early 1970s, after which the building was removed and the parcel became part of the West Theater parking lot, beginning at the west side of the Pacific Finance building.
The Cactus Inn carried the 114 parcel into the Route 66 motel era before the site became West Theater parking.
Cactus Inn & Café (1952–early 1970s)
Owner: Lucy Jane Whiteside
Owner: Nick Patrakis (Cottage Camp Restaurant)
-
Business: Cactus Inn & Café
-
Opened: 1952
-
Sold: 1953 to Popo Sanchez
-
Founder: Lucy Jane “Mother” Whiteside
-
Structure Type: Mid‑century motel & café
-
Replaced: Whiteside Hotel & Café (1918–1952)
-
Frontage: U.S. Route 66 (both alignments)
-
Parcel Position:
-
West of 112 Grants Drug Store
-
West of the alley separating 112 from 104 Woodard Hotel
-
Fate: Removed in early 1970s → parcel became West Theater parking lot
The Cactus Inn & Café opened in 1952, replacing the long‑standing Whiteside Hotel & Café with a modern Route 66‑era motor court. Built and launched by Lucy Jane “Mother” Whiteside, the Cactus Inn reflected the post‑war shift toward automobile‑oriented lodging.
​
The motel featured parking directly in front of the rooms, a streamlined façade, and a compact café serving both travelers and locals. Its design aligned with the mid‑century trend of efficient, highway‑facing motor courts that catered to tourists, truckers, and families traveling the Mother Road.
​
In 1953, just one year after opening, Mother Whiteside sold the Cactus Inn to Popo Sanchez, who continued operating the motel and café through the 1950s and 1960s. Under Sanchez’s ownership, the Cactus Inn became a familiar stop along Route 66 during the height of mid‑century travel.
​
The business remained active into the early 1970s. As travel patterns shifted and the West Theater expanded its footprint, the Cactus Inn building was eventually removed. The parcel later became part of the West Theater parking lot, beginning at the west side of the Pacific Finance building.
Opened in 1952 by Mother Whiteside and sold to Popo Sanchez in 1953, the Cactus Inn carried the 114 parcel into the Route 66 motel era before the site became West Theater parking.
118 W. Santa Fe Avenue
Downtown Grants
West Theater
118 W. Santa Fe Avenue is home to the West Theater, Grants’ longest‑running movie house and one of the most ambitious construction projects in the city’s history. Work began in 1940 under C.E. Means, who originally intended to name the venue the El Sol Theater.
​
In 1950, Means sold the unfinished structure to J.C. West, who continued construction over the next eight years. The theater finally opened in 1958, becoming Grants’ second major indoor movie house (third if including the pre‑1930 “mystery theater”).
​
The West Theater complemented the earlier LUX Theater (built 1936–1937 at 1020 W. Santa Fe), which West also acquired in 1950. Under West’s ownership, the company expanded into outdoor cinema as well, operating the Trails Drive‑In (opened 1956–1957 in Milan) and later the Sahara Drive‑In.
​
From 1977 to 1980, the West Theater was leased to Movie Theatre Operators, Inc. of Bozeman, Montana. In 1980, the theater was purchased by Roy McDowell, whose family continues to operate the West Theater to this day, making it one of the longest‑running, continuously operating Route 66 theaters in New Mexico.
Construction of the West Theater spanned 18 years, from 1940 to 1958, and it remains in operation today under the McDowell family.
1940
Grants — Carrot Capital of the World
Valencia County
West Theater (1940–Present)
Owner: C.E. Means
-
Business: West Theater
-
Construction Began: 1940 (C.E. Means)
-
Original Intended Name: El Sol Theater
-
Sold Unfinished: 1950 to J.C. West
-
Opened: 1958
-
Structure Type: Mid‑century indoor movie theater
-
Frontage: U.S. Route 66 (post‑1937 alignment)
-
Later Operators:
-
Movie Theatre Operators, Inc. (1977–1980)
-
Roy McDowell (purchased 1980; still operating today)
-
Related Properties (West ownership):
-
LUX Theater (built 1936–1937; West purchased 1950)
-
Trails Drive‑In (opened 1956–1957, Milan)
-
Sahara Drive‑In (later addition)
-
Parcel Position:
-
West of Pacific Finance
-
East of the former Cactus Inn parcel
The West Theater began as an ambitious project by C.E. Means, who started construction in 1940 with plans to name the venue the El Sol Theater. The building remained incomplete for a decade, and in 1950, Means sold the unfinished structure to J.C. West.
​
West continued construction throughout the 1950s, completing the theater in 1958. Upon opening, the West Theater became Grants’ second major indoor movie house, or third if counting the earlier pre‑1930 “mystery theater.”
​
The West family already owned the LUX Theater (built 1936–1937), which they acquired in 1950. They expanded further into outdoor cinema, opening the Trails Drive‑In in 1956–1957 in Milan and later operating the Sahara Drive‑In. By the late 1950s, the West family controlled nearly all movie exhibition in the region.
​
From 1977 to 1980, the West Theater was leased to Movie Theatre Operators, Inc. of Bozeman, Montana. In 1980, the theater was purchased by Roy McDowell, whose family continues to operate the West Theater today. Its continuous operation makes it one of the last surviving, active Route 66 movie houses in New Mexico.
Construction began in 1940 and continued for 18 years before the West Theater opened in 1958. Still operated by the McDowell family today, it remains one of the longest‑running Route 66 theaters in New Mexico.