This was the last place a westbound motorist could get a spot in the shade, along with curb service from a local cutie, before 60 miles of near-desert.

Back then only high-end cars had the expensive option of air-conditioning. The rest of us stayed cool the natural way--we sweated!

But about that time, along came I-40 and much of Tucumcari, including this drive-in, was doomed. With only 6000 people even today, it could not support the long string of restaurants, gas stations, and motels that lined Rt 66.

This classic 50s drive-in has been boarded up and its canopy is mostly gone. A companion image "An Island of Refreshment" shows this in detail.