Route 66 Wall Art - La Mesa Motel, Santa Rosa NM - Premium Photo Paper, Canvas, Acrylic & Metal Prints

Route 66 Wall Art - La Mesa Motel



The wind had picked up a little as I rolled into Santa Rosa, New Mexico, my camera gear rattling gently in the back seat of the car. I was a couple of days into a solo photography adventure down the forgotten veins of old Route 66, chasing the ghosts of neon dreams and roadside Americana.



Santa Rosa has that weathered but proud Route 66 vibe—sun-faded signage, low-slung motels, and the unmistakable feeling that this town once hosted thousands of hopeful travelers every day. Now, the pace is slower, quieter. And that’s exactly what I love about it.



As I drove through town, the bold red arrow of the La Mesa Motel’s sign caught my eye like a flare against the sky. The colors were perfect—fiery reds and oranges standing sharp against a backdrop of blue and white clouds. I slammed on the brakes and circled back. I knew instantly: this was the shot.



Built in the early 1950s, the La Mesa Motel was a product of Route 66’s golden age. Back then, Santa Rosa was a vital stop between Albuquerque and Amarillo, and motels like this one promised weary travelers a clean, comfortable, and affordable place to rest. Unlike many of its Route 66 neighbors, the La Mesa has survived into the present day—still family owned, still welcoming travelers with that familiar promise spelled out in big block letters: CLEAN, COMFORTABLE, REASONABLE.



I stepped out of the car and was greeted by the smell of sun-warmed asphalt and desert scrub. The wind carried a faint scent of dust and dry grass. A neon “VACANCY” sign buzzed faintly above the office door, its glow soft in the early evening light. The motel was quiet—no traffic, no voices—just the wind and the rhythmic squeak of the sign swaying ever so slightly.



I got low with my camera, adjusting for the best angle to capture the symmetry of the sign and its shadow stretching across the pavement. Cars zipped past on the nearby highway, but here, time felt paused.



There’s something about a place like this—a small, defiant symbol of mid-century optimism—that tugs at you. You can almost hear the echo of classic cars pulling into the lot, families spilling out, kids pointing at the glowing sign. Standing there, camera in hand, I felt like I was recording a piece of history that might not be there forever.



I clicked the shutter, caught the light just right, and smiled. The photo came out exactly how I saw it in my mind—a tribute to the road, the past, and a motel that’s still holding the line on Route 66.



----------



Production and Shipping Time: 5-7 business days



Premium Photo Paper: 5 days for printing, 5 days for shipping.



Ready-to-Hang Canvas: 5 days for printing, 5 days for shipping.



There are 5 ways to print these images.



1) Premium Photo Paper are high quality, professional paper-prints.

Sharp, Vivid and rich Color sets this apart from a casual photo print.

You'll feel like you're there.

Premium Photo Paper will last a long time.

This option is available in 8x10 inches, 11x14 inches, 16x20 inches or 24x36.

They are designed to be placed in a glass frame, which can be purchased separately (starting at a few dollars at your local Target or online.)



2) Ready to Hang Canvas are ready to hang right out of the box with zero assembly required. Ultimate convenience.

Gorgeous finished look. It comes out of the shipping box finished and ready to hang with a simple nail in the wall.

Canvas Prints are a well-known, high-end way of displaying photographs.

0.75 or 1.5 inch thick (depending on which size that you order) wooden stretcher-bars that give it shape, in the same way an oil painting is traditionally assembled. There are no staples or ugly lines visible on the sides (very important.)

Estimated delivery time for printing, assembling, packing and shipping is around 10 days.



3) Ready to Hang Canvas (split into 3 panels)

This is for larger pieces, and the photograph is split into 3 even panels, 3 separate canvas panels which together make a single large image.

This gives a modern look, and allows spectacularly large sizes on your wall!



4) Aluminum Metal Prints

Create elegant wall decor that shines with high-end, exclusive and unique aluminum metal prints.

Create a polished addition to any home or office. 3/64" thick aluminum panel. Features a glossy coating and rounded edges.

UV resistant ink prevents fading. All metal sizes are ready to hang on your wall, right out of the box.



5) Acrylic Prints

Create eye-catching home decor with modern acrylic prints. Light refracts through the museum-quality acrylic bringing vibrancy and depth to your photos. The 1/8" thick, clear acrylic produces superb image quality from edge to edge and absolutely stunning, brilliant color!

UV resistant ink prevents fading. All acrylic sizes are ready to hang on your wall, right out of the box