The Sad Saga Of Route 66's Famous Triangle Motel

You and I have explored a lot of history along Route 66 together. I've written several pieces about ghost towns and landmarks. Nothing so far compares to the Triangle Motel in Amarillo.

Read More: The Triangle Motel

It's an ongoing saga filled with hope, sadness, and tragedy.

John Margolies

The Triangle Motel And Glory Long Forgotten

When you pass by the Triangle Motel today, it's hard to imagine it being a quasi-centerpiece on Route 66. It's dilapidated; ran down. It's hardly a shell of anything.

Once, it was a bustling motor court that stood out from the rest thanks to its unique design. The building and the signage were both iconic.

THC

Abandoned And In Disrepair, Along Comes Hope

Eventually, as is the case with many motor courts and stops along the Mother Road, the building was abandoned. Over the years it fell into disrepair. There were even plans to demolish it.

That is until one person stepped up and said they would take on the project, and restore the Triangle to its former glory.

It was a daunting task, but for a moment it seemed like the Triangle Motel would get a second lease on life. It wasn't until work began that the true nature of the job would become apparent.

The Triangle had suffered a lot of damage, and restoring it would be a colossal uphill battle.

Sarah Clark/TSM

Tragedy Strikes, And The Triangle's Future Is In Question

It's been almost a decade since the quest to restore the Triangle Motel began. What happened?

First, there's the level of repairs that need to be done. While no one believed it would be an easy task, it turned out to be a much more difficult job than what was anticipated. The repairs would not only be time consuming and difficult, but also much more expensive than previously believed.

Then, tragedy struck. The individual who had bravely stepped up to save the historic piece of Route 66 suffered the loss of their mother. She was an integral part in getting the project started. As you can easily imagine, her passing made the work all the more difficult.

It's a tragic story, and hopefully one day it will resolve into a happy ending. In the meantime, we can still drive by and admire what once was.

Echoes of Old Route 66: The Triangle Motel in Amarillo, Texas (2022)

The Triangle Motel is an iconic and forgotten landmark of Old Route 66 located at 7954 E Amarillo Blvd, Amarillo, TX 79107.

Look at How Amarillo's Old Route 66 Motels Looked Then & Now

The heyday of the Mother Road may be long gone, but would you believe that there's still plenty of the old motels where many a weary American family rested their heads during their interstate travels?

You won't believe some of these are still standing, much less still alive and (wait for it..) kickin'!

Ranchotel: The Forgotten Landmark of Old Route 66 in Amarillo, Texas

The Ranchotel, located at 2501 W. 6th St., is a product of Route 66's heyday.

When Americans first began long-distance automotive travel, they typically stayed in hotels or camped beside the road. In response, clever entrepreneurs began to build what were called tourist courts. The Ranchotel is one of these.

It was built in 1940 and until recently, it was considered one of the best preserved examples of Route 66's tourist facilities. It was placed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1995 and was well maintained until 2020.

Even now, in spite of the building's fading beauty, there is still the nostalgic air held by many a historic landmark.