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Redwood Lodge

Retro roadside
In Gallup, New Mexico
On Route 66

The Redwood Lodge in Gallup, NM, is a tourist court built in 1931 on 66th Avenue, the town's stretch of Route 66. It began as Jim's Modern Court and took its current name in 1952. Its listing on the National Register in 1998 praised it as one of the best largely unchanged prewar tourist courts left on New Mexico's Route 66, which makes it a rewarding stop for travellers who love early motor courts.

What is Redwood Lodge?

A small motor court in a Southwest vernacular style, the plain, practical building tradition of the region. The listing covers three buildings and one object that contribute to its historic value. It keeps much of its prewar character, which is exactly why it was singled out for listing.

History of Redwood Lodge

Jim Dougherty, a mechanic, built the court in 1931. He ran a garage in the building that later became the manager's home, and the business went by the name Jim's Modern Court. Steve and Mary Rudick bought it in 1952, gave it the name Redwood Lodge and ran it for more than three decades, until 1983. The listing came in 1998, and the lodge is also on the state register of cultural properties.

Visiting Redwood Lodge: tips

View it from the street and respect guests' privacy. El Rancho Hotel & Motel is only about 0.1 miles away, so the two make an easy pair; the Drake Hotel downtown is about 0.5 miles off.