Moriarty to Tijeras, New Mexico on the Salt Missions Trail
This journey along a stretch of historic Route 66, interwoven with the Salt Missions Trail Scenic Byway, unveils a tapestry of New Mexico’s past, present, and enduring spirit. From the agricultural heartland of Moriarty to the canyon-carved landscape of Tijeras, this route offers glimpses into the state’s rich history, from ancient Native American settlements to the bustling era of the Mother Road.
Our exploration begins east of Albuquerque, tracing the path of travelers who sought opportunity and adventure in the American West. This route not only offers a scenic drive but also a tangible connection to the stories of homesteaders, railroad pioneers, and the vibrant culture that blossomed along the iconic Route 66. Prepare to delve into the history and unique character of each town, where echoes of the past resonate amidst the modern landscape.
Moriarty
Leaving Cline’s Corners and heading east, the first stop is Moriarty, New Mexico, a town steeped in agricultural heritage and Route 66 history. Named for Michael Moriarty, an original homesteader who arrived in 1887, the town’s roots are firmly planted in dryland farming. Even today, agriculture remains a vital part of the local economy, though modern farmers have embraced sophisticated irrigation techniques to cultivate alfalfa, feed corn, wheat, pinto beans, pumpkins, and a variety of other crops.
The arrival of the Santa Fe Central depot in 1903 marked a significant milestone in Moriarty’s development. The metal-sided depot, one of four such structures along the mainline from Santa Fe to Torrance, still stands as a testament to the town’s railroad past. Although the New Mexico Central Railroad was later absorbed by the Santa Fe Railroad in 1926, and the original depot was replaced in 1949, its presence continues to evoke a sense of history. Over the years, the original depot served various purposes, including a feed store, a workshop, and even a Catholic Church, showcasing its adaptability and enduring significance.
Moriarty’s connection to Route 66 began in 1938, when the highway was realigned to pass through the town. Like many communities along the Mother Road, Moriarty embraced the opportunity, welcoming travelers with motor courts, restaurants, and other essential services. Many of these establishments remain in operation today, preserving the nostalgic charm of Route 66.
As you enter Moriarty, the Sunset Motel and the last operating Whiting Brothers Service Station stand on the right side of the road. Across the highway is the Sands Motel. The Whiting Brothers gas stations were once a common sight along Route 66 in the Southwest, but this station in Moriarty is the only one remaining. Sal Lucero, a dedicated employee of Whiting Brothers, purchased the station in the 1980s and has maintained its original name, preserving a piece of Route 66 history.
Further down the road, the Boot Shoe Shop occupies the former site of the Crossley Service Station. Across the street, the long-closed Yucca and Cactus Motels offer glimpses into the past, while the Lariat and Ponderosa Motels continue to welcome guests. For a unique dining experience, visit the El Comedor Restaurant and marvel at its restored "rotosphere," a rotating neon sign that is believed to be the only operational one of its kind along Route 66. This restoration was made possible by the Route 66 Neon Restoration Project, a collaborative effort between the New Mexico Route 66 Association, the New Mexico Historic Preservation Division, and the National Park Service Route 66 Corridor Preservation Office.
To delve deeper into Moriarty’s past, visit the Moriarty Historical Society Museum, housed in the town’s first fire station. The museum focuses on the town’s growth and development during its early railroad days. Admission is free, offering an accessible opportunity to learn about the community’s rich heritage.
Leaving Moriarty, Route 66 transforms into Highway 333, sharing the road with the Salt Missions Trail Scenic Byway to Tijeras. This stretch of road is still home to original architecture, and there is still a presence of Route 66 at the modern family-operated businesses along the old route. As you leave the flatlands, the byway begins to rise in elevation as you near Edgewood, on the very edge of the mountains, as its name implies.
Edgewood
Founded in the early 1930s, Edgewood is a relatively young town by New Mexico standards. It was established just in time to meet the needs of the changed 1937 Route 66 alignment. All manner of motor courts and other services soon popped up.
Today, due to its proximity to Albuquerque, it is one of the fastest-growing communities in the state. Though its population is about 3,700 people, the area abounds with horse properties, and it’s not unusual to see modern-day cowboys riding their steeds along the roadways.
The original two-room schoolhouse still stands. Travelers might want to visit Wildlife West Nature Park, located at exit 187. Here, you can view numerous native New Mexican animals, including whitetail deer, bobcats, cougars, coyotes, javelinas, raptors, mountain lions, and wolves. Trails through the 122-acre park are constructed through natural habitats. Also in Edgewood is an old Valentine Diner that once stood in Magdelena, New Mexico, before Jerry Ueckert purchased it and moved it to Edgewood. The diner had extensive damage and has now been fully restored. It is located on Route 66.
Barton
Just a few miles further along Route 66 brings you to Barton, New Mexico, which is officially a ghost town. It is now little more than a scattering of buildings that are now considered part of Edgewood. Named for an early resident, Barton received a post office in 1908, but by 1936, it had closed, and area residents received their mail from Edgewood. In 1946, Jack Rittenhouse described the town as having a gas station, a grocery store, and a few cabins. At the corner of old Route 66 and Mountain Valley Road once stood an old Conoco gas station. Though it is gone today, the site is still home to a couple of old gas pumps, a few rusting cars, and the original Barton jail, which once detained such outlaws as the Dawson Gang. From Barton, the highway continues to climb toward Tijeras.
Sedillo
Route 66 climbs to some 7,000 feet elevation up Sedillo Hill to Sedillo, New Mexico. The town was named for Pedro de Cedillo, who was originally a native of Queretaro, Mexico. Arriving in the area before the Pueblo Revolt of 1680, he served as a captain until he and his family were forced out of the area. His descendants returned to New Mexico after the re-conquest of 1692. In 1819, one of his descendants, Esteban Sedillo, was given land in Tijeras Canyon east of present-day Tijeras. Soon afterward, the Sedillos moved east to the town now named for them. Beyond Sedillo, the route begins to drop down into the valley through Tijeras Canyon.
Tijeras
The final destination on this journey is Tijeras, a town nestled in the heart of Tijeras Canyon. Its history stretches back nearly a millennium, with evidence of Native American settlements dating back 900 years. The Tijeras Pueblo, established around 1300 A.D., once housed approximately 400 people, believed to be part of a larger migration from the Four Corners region. This adobe structure, comprising about 200 rooms arranged in a U-shape, was abandoned by the mid-14th century, likely due to drought. Another group of Native Americans inhabited the site around 1390, rebuilding the pueblo on a smaller scale, but they too departed by 1425. Today, a grass-covered mound behind the Sandia Ranger Station marks the location of the ancient pueblo, offering a glimpse into the area’s earliest inhabitants. A self-guided tour can be taken any time during daylight hours (stop at the Ranger Station for directions).
The name "Tijeras," meaning "scissors" in Spanish, reflects the town’s historical significance as a crossroads of major trade routes. One route extended from Mexico City to Santa Fe, while the other connected the Great Plains to the Pacific Ocean. This strategic location made Tijeras a hub of commerce and cultural exchange.
Following the departure of the Pueblo dwellers, Apache Indians used Tijeras Canyon as a passage and campground during their raids on communities along the Rio Grande. Later, the Comanche also utilized the canyon as a staging area to discourage settlers in the area.
In 1763, the Spanish government offered land ownership incentives to encourage settlement in the area. Hispanic settlers from Albuquerque began to arrive in the canyon, but an Apache attack in 1770 forced them to retreat. Despite ongoing Indian raids, attempts to settle the area became more successful in the early 1800s.
During the Civil War, Tijeras Canyon served as a crucial transportation route for information and military supplies between Albuquerque and Fort Stanton. Both Confederate and Union armies occupied the canyon, but no battles took place there.
In 1868, more than 6,000 Navajo people traveled through Tijeras Canyon on their journey from Fort Sumner, where they had been held in detention for over four years, to their ancestral lands.
Around 1880, a village called Tijeras was established at the crossing of the Manzano and Sandia mountains. Initially home to 15 families, the village’s economy was primarily based on farming, ranching, and small-scale mining.
As the community grew, the need for a church became apparent. Services began in a resident’s home in 1870, and the building was later sold to Mrs. Jessie. In 1912, Mrs. Keleher donated the building for use as the Immaculate Conception Church, stipulating that it be maintained as a church. In 1930, the church building and property were returned to the Keleher family. About five years later, it became a church once again and was renamed Santo Niño (Holy Child). Eventually, the church, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was given to the Village of Tijeras. It is located on the west side of Route 66, just south of the Tijeras Library, and is used as a community events center.
When Route 66 was first established in 1926, it did not initially pass through Tijeras Canyon. However, the Mother Road was shortened and realigned through the area. The road soon became too crowded and unsafe, especially along a dangerous, blind turn known as “Dead Man’s Curve.” In the early 1950s, the road began to be rebuilt as a four-lane highway and as the most significant road project ever taken on in the State of New Mexico. In 1951, it was finally completed. In 1965, Tijeras Canyon would be bypassed when I-40 was built through the area.
Today, Tijeras is home to nearly 600 residents and is situated within the boundaries of the Cibola National Forest. The village serves as the southern gateway to the Turquoise Trail Scenic Byway, which leads to Santa Fe. There is one of the Cibola National Forest’s Visitors’ Centers and the Talking Talons Leadership Center & Living Conservation Museum.
West of the village, Route 66 emerges from the canyon, offering a beautiful view of the Rio Grande Valley and Albuquerque. As you drive through this stretch, keep an eye out for old trading posts and wayside gas stations, and enjoy the majestic views of the Rio Grande Valley and the Sandia Mountains.