That's right, y'all. It may not be as grandiose as the original, but it's one all our own. It might be mistaken for the real thing if not for the Texas twist we put on it! See for yourself:
Paris is a sleepy little Northeast Texas town, but one harboring an extremely unique secret.
The accessory was added to make it second in height to only the original itself, but the attempt was all in vain after Las Vegas built a replica nearly eight times its size (540 feet tall.)
Once a hopping haven for road-weary travelers on Route 66, the town of Glenrio, Texas (and New Mexico) is now home only to ghosts of the Mother Road. The town has addresses in both states because it sits right on the border between the two. It includes the Glenrio Historic District, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2007.
If you love creepy content, Only In Your State’s Vacant series – which partners with talented photographer Johnny Joo – explores a dozen other fascinating abandoned places just waiting to be discovered.
Editor’s Note: Due to the nature of abandoned destinations, many of the places featured in this series are off-limits to visitors or have actually been demolished. We do not condone trespassing and other illegal activity but rather encourage readers to enjoy learning about these fascinating destinations.
Glenrio emerged in 1903 as a bustling railroad town initially named Rock Island. Renamed Glenrio in 1908, the new moniker combines Scottish and Spanish words for 'valley' and 'river' (oddly, it has neither). It began to experience some traffic by 1917 with the establishment of the Ozark Trail.
The town's big transformation happened in 1926, when Route 66 replaced the Ozark Trail in 1926. The iconic road began in Chicago and extended through Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, the Texas panhandle, New Mexico, and Arizona before ending in Santa Monica in Los Angeles County, California. The entire route covered 2,448 miles, transforming towns and connecting the nation over several generations of family road trips.
Glenrio is located at the furthest western reaches of the state's 178-mile stretch of the historic route. Over the years, a landscape occupied mostly by wheat fields and cattle gave rise to deco-style diners, service stations, and other modern buildings over the years, like the Brownlee Diner in 1950 and Little Juarez Café in 1952. Today, travelers explore the well-preserved remnants of Route 66 in Texas, including the Cadillac Ranch, the Pioneer West Museum, and the Devil's Rope Museum.
The town's location on the Texas-New Mexico border had an interesting impact on its economy in many ways. Since gas was cheaper on the Texas side, that's where you found the fuel stations. If you wanted an alcoholic drink, you had to cruise to the New Mexico side to spots like the State Line Bar. The Texas side was dry.
Like many small towns that thrived along state highways, Glenrio became a casualty of the interstate system in the 1970s. By 1973, Interstate 40 was complete and bypassed the town. After almost 50 years as a roadside destination worth a stop for a meal, fuel or comfortable stay, Glenrio saw its businesses dwindle. Eventually, there was nothing worth sticking around for, and Glenrio was left as it stands today.
Remains of buildings include a motel, its former Texas Longhorn Café, a diner, the post office, a Texaco service station, the old Route 66 roadbed, the former bed of the Rock Island Railroad, and a few homes. Having served their purpose for a particular point in time, the town and its abandoned buildings are a testament to how a local economy developed to serve specific needs and circumstances.
Have you traveled this stretch of the former Route 66 and visited the ghost town of Glenrio, Texas, and New Mexico? If you plan a journey on the most iconic of road-tripping roads, be sure to bookmark our Ultimate Road Trip Packing List for more than 60 essentials to make the trip even more fun, safe, and comfortable.
Special thanks to Cleveland-based photographer Johnny Joo of Odd World Studio for the photos used in this article. To discover more creepy and abandoned places, check out his website, Architectural Afterlife.
Here’s The Story Behind The World’s Largest Cowboy Boots In Texas
The world's largest cowboy boots, located outside North Star Mall in San Antonio, are a quirky and beloved roadside attraction with an interesting backstory.
From Cadillac Ranch to an exact replica of Stonehenge, quirky roadside attractions in Texas abound. One you don't hear much about is the world's largest pair of cowboy boots, located outside the North Star Mall in San Antonio. Measuring 35 feet tall and 33 feet long, they're absolutely gigantic - and the backstory of these big boots in San Antonio is even more interesting. Let's take a closer look at the biggest boots in Texas.
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As you're driving along Northwest Loop 410 in San Antonio, you'll notice something bizarre near the exit for Johnson City: a massive pair of cowboy boots.
Once, a homeless man was actually found living in one of them. If not for the Sterno smoke billowing out from the neck of the boot, he never would've been discovered!
More than just a quirky photo op, the boots are a beloved fixture in the San Antonio community.
Have you ever seen the world's largest cowboy boots? If so, tell us your thoughts in the comments! If you're up for more intriguing roadside attractions, take this road trip to see some whimsical attractions:
