Ceela McElveny on Preserving Albuquerque's Route 66 History

From Neon Dreams to Personal Milestones: Ceela McElveny on Albuquerque’s Route 66

In a recent conversation with Monika Dziamka, co-editor of The Roadrunner e-newsletter, Ceela McElveny offered a heartfelt reflection on Albuquerque’s iconic Route 66, blending personal nostalgia with a clear vision for the road’s future. McElveny, whose work with Visit Albuquerque has been instrumental in promoting the city’s stretch of the “Mother Road,” shared her birthday wish for Route 66: a delicate balance between preservation and revitalization. Ceela McElveny said progress doesn’t have to mean leaving the past behind, arguing that the road’s historic signs, buildings, diners, and motels tell stories that deserve to be protected and shared. Visit Albuquerque reported on this intimate Q&A, revealing how McElveny’s own life is deeply intertwined with the famous highway.

A Journey Through Time and Place

For McElveny, Route 66 is more than a thoroughfare; it’s a thread connecting her past and present. A native of Albuquerque’s North Valley, she recalled her childhood trips to Downtown, a place that felt like “the big city” to her young eyes. She vividly remembered shopping at J.C. Penney’s—now the Gizmo Building—for her Girl Scout uniform and stopping for a sandwich at Woolworth’s lunch counter, now Bourbon & Boots. These memories, she said, have remained with her, and as an adult, she continues to find joy in Downtown’s offerings, from book readings at the KiMo Theater to concerts at the Sunshine Theater. Ceela McElveny said she has worked in Downtown for the past nine years, something that the 8-year-old version of her would have thought was pretty cool.

This deep personal connection extends to her own family history. One of McElveny’s most cherished memories is the morning her daughter was born at Presbyterian Hospital, a building that sits right on Route 66. Ceela McElveny said her daughter arrived on an October morning during the Balloon Fiesta. She recounted never forgetting holding her when she was just a few hours old and looking out the window of their fifth-floor hospital room as hundreds of hot air balloons drifted toward Downtown. It felt as though they were welcoming her to the world, and it made her appreciate how fortunate her daughter would be to grow up in Albuquerque. This powerful moment encapsulates the unique blend of natural beauty and community spirit that defines Albuquerque and its most famous street.

Marketing the Magic of the Mother Road

As part of Visit Albuquerque's efforts to promote the Route 66 Centennial, McElveny helped develop two distinct television commercials designed to capture the essence of the city's stretch. She explained that one spot focused on what they called the kitsch of Route 66 – the neon lights, classic diners and quirky roadside charm. The other spot captured the soul of Route 66, highlighting the city’s history, culture and scenic beauty. Creating these commercials was a labor of love, involving long, unconventional shooting schedules to capture the perfect Albuquerque night.

She described the process in cinematic detail: filming the city lights from Nine Mile Hill at 10 p.m., capturing a scene around the jukebox inside the 66 Diner at midnight, lining up classic cars outside the KiMo Theatre at 2 a.m., and even driving a convertible under the neon arch at Central and 66th Street at 5 a.m. Those spots have run more than 7 million times over the past 18 months, sharing the city’s Route 66 story with people around the country and inviting travelers to experience the Centennial here.

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Route 66 has always symbolized movement, possibility and progress, and I hope it continues to evolve and inspire new generations. But progress doesn’t have to mean leaving the past behind.

For Albuquerque, the highway is not just a tourist attraction but a core part of its civic identity. It is woven into the everyday lives and personal memories of generations of residents. The challenge, as McElveny sees it, is to honor that history while fostering new growth. Ceela McElveny said she hopes Albuquerque continues to embrace that balance, honoring the places and traditions that have defined Route 66 while welcoming new businesses, creative ideas and experiences that keep it vibrant. This perspective acknowledges the reality that while preservation is crucial, stagnation can be just as damaging to a community’s soul. The road’s future depends on finding innovative ways to bring its historic buildings to life, ensuring they serve a purpose for new generations without losing the character that makes them special.

As co-editor of The Roadrunner e-newsletter, Monika Dziamka shares her perspective on Albuquerque’s Route 66, emphasizing its historic buildings and cultural significance.