Location Details
The Quay County Cooperative Extension Service (often referred to for local co-op programs) is located at 216 E Center St, Tucumcari, NM 88401, with the approximate GPS coordinates of 35.1706° N, 103.7225° W.
Echoes of the Mother Road: The Quay County Co-op
When Dez and I set out on our 18-day centennial road trip from Santa Monica to Chicago, our goal wasn't just to photograph the bright, buzzing neon signs of the city strips. We wanted to capture the quiet, forgotten corners of Route 66—the places where the history of the Mother Road is literally fading into the walls. Out of the 100 images we curated for this project, the former Quay County Co-op in San Jon, New Mexico, stands out as a powerful reminder of how the highway shaped, and eventually reshaped, these small communities.
A Building with Two Lives
Located at 620 E. Main Avenue in San Jon, this striking white stucco building is a perfect example of roadside adaptability. If you look closely at the ghost signs painted across its facade, you can clearly see the distinct chapters of its commercial life.
The Garage Era: On the far left side of the building, a faint, painted-over sign points to the structure's early days operating as a local automotive garage and service station for passing motorists.
The Agricultural Era: Over time, as the needs of the town shifted, the building took on a new identity as an agricultural supply store. The prominent, weathered lettering across the center and right side proudly advertises "FEEDS & SEEDS" and "QUAY CO. CO-OP".
The Last Pump: Out front, standing guard on the overgrown concrete island, is an old diesel fuel pump—a final, rusting nod to the travelers who used to pull in off the highway to refuel.
The Interstate Bypass
For 56 years, from 1926 until 1982, Route 66 ran straight through the heart of San Jon along Main Avenue. It was the lifeblood of the local economy, supporting a steady stream of motor courts, diners, and garages. However, when Interstate 40 opened just a few blocks to the north in 1982, it bypassed the downtown strip entirely. The sudden drop in traffic forced many businesses, including the Co-op, to eventually close their doors, leaving these beautiful mid-century structures to weather the high desert elements.
Today, capturing these stark white walls and fading hand-painted signs against the brilliant blue New Mexico sky is a way to preserve that rich, layered history before it disappears completely.
Explore More: Scan the QR codes found throughout our Route 66 centennial book to uncover more behind-the-scenes histories, daily travel logs, and exclusive multimedia content from our journey across the Mother Road.
Historical Reference Links:
