Endee to San Jon, New Mexico on Route 66
The allure of Route 66, the "Mother Road," continues to captivate travelers with its nostalgic charm and glimpses into a bygone era. A stretch of this historic highway in eastern New Mexico offers a poignant journey through time, connecting the near-ghost town of Endee with the resilient community of San Jon. This route, steeped in history and dotted with remnants of a vibrant past, provides a unique perspective on the rise and fall of towns along the legendary highway.
Leaving the Texas border behind, the road west unfolds, revealing the first stop on this intriguing journey: Endee. Just five miles past Glenrio, another fading testament to Route 66’s heyday, lies Endee, New Mexico on Route 66. Once a bustling community, Endee now stands as a poignant reminder of the changing times and the impact of progress.
Endee: A Ghost Town Whispering Tales of the Wild West
Founded in 1882 and named after the local ND Ranch, Endee, New Mexico on Route 66 quickly established itself as a vital supply center for the surrounding ranches. The establishment of a post office in 1886 solidified its role as a central hub for the area. However, Endee’s early days were far from peaceful. The town gained a reputation as a "wild west" outpost, a place where cowboys would gather to unwind and, at times, engage in less-than-savory activities.
Tales abound of Endee’s rough-and-tumble past. Some accounts even suggest that the town was so rife with violence that a trench was routinely dug each Saturday to serve as a burial ground for the unfortunate victims of Sunday morning gunfights. Whether these stories are entirely accurate or embellished over time, they contribute to the enduring mystique of Endee, New Mexico on Route 66.
At its peak in 1950, Endee boasted a population of 187 residents. However, the winds of change were already blowing. The realignment of Route 66 in 1952, which bypassed the town, proved to be a fatal blow. The post office, a symbol of community connection, closed its doors in 1955. Slowly but surely, Endee began its descent into obscurity.
The remoteness of Endee, New Mexico on Route 66 contributed to its lingering connection to the frontier era. Even in the early 20th century, the town continued to experience remnants of the "wild west." Historical newspaper articles recount tales of cattle rustling and vigilante justice. In 1906, the Santa Fe New Mexican reported the arrest of cattle rustlers in Endee, highlighting the efforts to maintain law and order in the region. Similarly, in 1909, the Evening Observer detailed an incident where masked men stormed a saloon, destroying its interior in an apparent anti-saloon campaign. These accounts offer a glimpse into the turbulent times and the challenges faced by the residents of Endee.
Today, Endee stands largely abandoned, a collection of weathered buildings and fading memories. The ruins serve as a stark reminder of the town’s vibrant past and the forces that led to its decline. While the town itself may be a ghost of its former self, its story continues to resonate with those who travel Route 66 in search of authentic Americana.
Bard: A Casualty of Changing Traffic Patterns
Continuing west from Endee, the old Route 66 road leads to Bard, another community that has suffered the consequences of highway realignment. Along the way, travelers can observe the skeletal remains of an old Rock Island trestle, a testament to the importance of railroads in the region’s early development. Like Endee, Bard was also known for its wild character during the cowboy era, with stories of drunkenness and shootouts adding to its folklore.
During the 1940s, Bard served as a trading center for local ranchers, featuring a general store, a gas station, and a handful of homes. At one point, the town’s population reached 195. However, by 1980, only ten residents remained. Today, Bard, much like Endee, is considered a ghost town, another casualty of Route 66’s changing landscape.
The initial settlement in Bard dates back to 1906, and the community grew enough to warrant a post office in 1908. Over the years, the town’s name underwent several changes, briefly being known as Bard City before reverting to Bard. The origin of the name remains somewhat debated. While some believe it was derived from a pioneering family’s connection to a railroad siding in Texas, the most plausible explanation points to the Bar-D Ranch, which operated in the area during the town’s establishment.
Bard experienced multiple relocations throughout its history, each time attempting to capitalize on shifts in transportation patterns from railroad to automobiles. A 1946 highway guide indicates a population of 26 and a limited business district consisting of a gas station, garage, and post office. Despite these efforts, Bard was ultimately unable to withstand the forces of change.
In a nod to the area’s history, Russell’s Truck Stop opened near the site of Bard in late 2009. This modern travel center incorporates an automotive museum and a Route 66 gift shop, blending contemporary amenities with nostalgic reminders of the past. Interestingly, the travel center’s address identifies it as being located in Endee, further blurring the lines between these two communities.
San Jon: A Resilient Community Holding Onto Its Heritage
A few more miles west along the old Route 66 brings travelers to San Jon (pronounced San Hone), a small agricultural community nestled in the vast open spaces of eastern New Mexico. Unlike Endee and Bard, San Jon has managed to maintain a sense of community, with a population of approximately 300 residents. While not a ghost town, San Jon bears the marks of time, with many of its historic businesses now standing empty.
In its heyday, San Jon was a bustling stop for Route 66 travelers, offering gas stations, garages, motor courts, and restaurants. The settlement was founded in 1902 and quickly became an important ranching and shipping center with the arrival of the railroad two years later.
San Jon once held the title of the largest town on the eastern plains, serving as a hub for cowboy nightlife on Saturday nights. Although its streets are quieter today, lined with empty buildings that hint at better times, San Jon continues to persevere.
Continuing west from San Jon for a little over twenty miles, travelers will arrive in Tucumcari, another iconic Route 66 town known for its vintage charm and numerous "Tucumcari Tonite" billboards, which have been a popular sight since the early days of the Mother Road.
The journey from Endee to San Jon on Route 66 is more than just a drive; it is an exploration of history, resilience, and the enduring spirit of the American West. It’s a chance to witness the rise and fall of communities shaped by the ebb and flow of transportation and economic forces. While some towns have faded into near-oblivion, others have managed to adapt and survive, carrying the legacy of Route 66 into the future.