Tucumcari Is Going Back to the Future

Tucumcari’s rich traditions propel the town forward.

SINCE 1936, the Odeon Theatre has been a main attraction in downtown Tucumcari, a former railroad town that cruised to fame during Route 66’s heyday. The Art Deco–style theater has changed hands over the years, but it remains a symbol of how this small southeastern New Mexico town bridges its past with the future.

“Historic buildings are very important for any community,” says Jose Almeida, the Tucumcari resident who bought the theater in May 2024 and is renovating the exterior and 1950s neon sign. While the Odeon still screens first-run movies, it’s been updated with digital and 3D projectors. There are plans to host comedy shows, film festivals, and live music. “We cannot let these buildings disappear,” Almeida says.

A stroll through downtown reveals historic buildings that have been repurposed as boutiques, gift shops, and restaurants. Las Chaparritas Mexican Restaurant, a former food truck, now serves diners next door to the Princess Theatre.

“We have such a rich history in Tucumcari,” says Connie Loveland of Tucumcari MainStreet, the downtown preservation and redevelopment organization. As examples, she ticks off a roster of attractions that includes the Tucumcari Railroad Museum, New Mexico Route 66 Museum, Tucumcari Historical Museum, and Mesalands Community College Dinosaur Museum. “So many people are passionate about preserving the different aspects of that.”

That same spirit has Tucumcari revving up for the 2026 centennial celebrations of the Union Station Depot and Route 66. “I’m watching the town grow,” Almeida says. “People are moving here, and more visitors are coming.”

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Owner Jose Almeida leads behind-the-scenes tours of the historic Odeon Theatre. “We have a few items that belonged to the original owner, including the ticket dispensing machine and the 1954 Manley popcorn machine,” he says. tucumcarimainstreet.org

Tucumcari Is Going Back to the Future

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