Route 66 Archives and Research

Location:
Special Collections Library
423 Central Ave. NE
Albuquerque, NM 87102

Phone:
505-848-1376

Web site: Albuquerque Special Collections Library

Institution Type: Library, Archive

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Collections

Description: In addition to an extensive collection of secondary literature, the Special Collections Library contains four collections of primary source material on or related to Route 66:

Albuquerque Tourist Pamphlets and Auto Trip Guides: A collection of approximately 50 items, issued between 1910 and the 1970s, by private and civic groups, government departments and agencies, and the Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce. Many of these illustrated pamphlets and guidebooks contain maps showing the historic route.

The May Della Smith Historic Route 66 Collection: This collection contains a variety of materials including books, guidebooks, magazine, brochures and flyers, maps, postcards, plaques, bumper stickers, playing cards, and other ephemera.

Albuquerque and New Mexico Route 66 Postcards: The library holds a substantial collection of vintage postcards and postcard images from Albuquerque, produced between 1900 and 1990. More than 400 have Route 66 connections covering both major alignments of the highway through the city.

Historic Maps Showing Route 66: The library holds a collection of both fold-out maps provided by local banks and service stations, and road maps issued by the New Mexico Department of Tourism. The collection dates back as far as the 1940s.

Regions Covered: Route 66 in New Mexico

Type of Materials: Maps, Postcards, Books, Guidebooks, Ephemera, Photographs, Magazines, Brochures and Flyers

Time Periods: 20th century

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Access

Facility Hours:
Tuesday-Saturday 10AM-6PM (except Thursdays, 11AM-7PM); closed Sundays and Mondays

Online Resources and Finding Aids: Catalog search available online; a few items have been digitized. Please see the website link above.