Gallup's Shalimar Inn is located right on old Route 66, east of Nizhoni Blvd, in front of the Gallup Municipal Airport and across from the BNSF/Amtrak railroad tracks. The picture above was taken back in Spring 2008. To the best of my knowledge, the Shalimar doesn't function as
motel anymore, it seems like it acts as an apartment building. About a third of the units seem occupied, but the rest seem deserted and closed for many years, obviously a haven for drunks and drug dealers, etc. The rooms that are abandoned seemed like they were simply closed and not rented out anymore, one room was open and everything seemed in order, except the ceiling had fallen in, and the wood siding was warped and a thick layer of dust and mold covered everything.
Not a very good picture, but you get the idea
The office was empty but also seemed as if it was left
in a haste. The tourist brochure rack
was still intact, a candy bowl filled next to it. The window was broken and the receptionist desk was covered in cardboard and duct tape.
The overhang in front of the office was visibly weathered, and chunks were missing from it.
I'm not sure about the past or the future of the Shalimar Inn. Its listed under Google so it seems like there is some recent past...but who knows. The picture to the right is a "Shalimar Inn" in Gallup, I wonder if this is the same one. Its worth a quick stop if your heading through Gallup, New Mexico...or at least a glance.
7 comments:
Adam,
Great photos and an interesting genre to document. I stayed at the Shalimar in May 1967, on a cross-country trip with my family. It was a pretty upscale spot back then (at least for Gallup), and it specifically impressed me because they gave us a suite with a separate living room. Pretty cool to a 12 year-old. Hope you'll do some studies of other aging motels and roadside spots.
While down in Gallup NM for a business trip, I went to the Night Club down at the Shalimar. The sign that said "Dancing Nightly". Looked like a hole in the wall. It was sad and I felt creepy looking at the hotel rooms while the sky feel dark. I could tell it was an abandon building and saw a keep out sign. Just curious how how much really went on in there. My friend and I were the only white people in there. However It was the most fun I have ever had. keep up the research.
hi adam,,,i enjoyed your little tour of the 'shalimar'..i played live music at the huge nightclub there on many,many a night back in the late 80's-early 90's,(tumbleweed-band from texas),sometimes to as many as a thousand people on a sat night,,,we also stayed in their rooms (payed for by the shalimar) for at least two weeks straight on every engagement....haha,,,i could tell ya some stories,,,,and some nightmares as well.
stony-Borgopass@austin.rr.com
It's bizzare seeing these photos... My first night out in Gallup was at the Shalimar and I was taken out by some colleagues, line dancing and everything else from hip etc. I had a great night and picked up a fabulous waitress. This was back in 1994.
The city council of Gallup decided tonight to issue a foreclosure of the Shalimar property due to unpaid liens, previous demolition due to asbestos, and dilapidation of the main building. It is fascinating and quite sad to read the history of this building in the comments above.
I was born and raised in Gallup. I worked at the Shalimar as a junior and senior in high school. 1972-1974. I also lived here during that time in what they called the servants quarters. The Shalimar was one of the best places to eat, and stay at that time. They also had banquet rooms they rented out. It was a Best Western motel then. After graduating in 1974 the place was sold to some people from another country. It changed completely from that point on. I went dancing with some of my friends in the 80's and it was a rough place. They had already closed the motel down then and the facility was trashy and decaying as shown in these pictures. I find it sad because it was such a nice place and very busy back then. It's too bad the city does not make the owner's clean it up. Very nostalgic place for me. Glad you have this site going. Good luck to you.
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