Sunset Motel

Specialties

Transient Tourist Motel

History

Established in 1959.

Family Built, Owned and Operated Route 66 Mote. l For over 50 years the Pogue family has ran and maintained this American treasure! For a unique experience on Historic Route 66, stay at the Sunset Motel. Its an American Classic.

Meet the Business Owner

Mike P.

Business Owner

The Sunset Motel is located approximately 35 miles east of Albuquerque on Old Route 66, in the small town of Moriarty, NM. The motel was constructed in five stages, from 1954 until 1969. There was no rush as the young couple, Bill and Elaine Pogue, planned to operate their business along busy Route 66 for many years to come. The transient tourist business had been a mainstay of the local economy for years and Bill was the second generation of Pogues to own a motel in Moriarty. His mother had owned and operated the Yucca Motor Court about a mile west on Route 66.

The plans for the building were drawn on a brown paper bag and Bill, Elaine and their two boys did the majority of the construction. Bill was determined the building would be ‘done right and last forever!’ The story goes that after an accident, Bill got someone else to build a wall for him. When he checked the wall and found that it was ¹⁄₈ inch off, he knocked it down with his crutches and started over himself!