While traveling the mother road (also known as Route 66) over spring break, we were fortunate enough to find out about a side road – well, it used to be Route 66 proper, but as Sally said in the movie “Cars”, “The town got bypassed just to save ten minutes of driving.” and that couldn’t ring more true with the towns of Endee and Glenrio.
Both are still fantastically picturesque but in a sad haunting way – you only wish you could picture them the way they had been.
Using the book “Ghost Towns of Route 66”, by Jim Hinkley and the photographs by Kerrick James, we went from San Jon through on this side road, past Endee and then onto Glenrio. Be sure to check out this book at Quarto Publishing Group.
The road is no longer paved, so be careful if it’s muddy, but the “towns” along the way are well worth the trip if you’re into history and photography.
Our first stop was Endee and as you drive into “town” you are greeted with this:
The humor wasn’t lost on us, but the whole scene is sad. It’s hard to believe such a short time has passed since this was a vibrant stop along old Route 66.
Another marvelous building fallen to ruins next to this great car.
Rusting Cars gleam in the sun in Endee.
Moving down the road to Glenrio, you’re met with another vibrant stop of yesteryear. If you look at the book “Ghost Towns of Route 66” you’ll see how these stops looked at the height of Route 66, the Texas Longhorn Motel touted it’s “last stop in Texas” sign, now fallen to ruins.
I was particularly taken with the median, where you can see how this now decayed road once boasted a vibrant life of traffic and commerce.
This little diner boasts great lines.
And last the gas station with the fabulous roof line and decaying soda machines.
Be sure to check out the book:
, we’ll definitely use it on our next trip.
