Blue Swallow Motel

Neon turns this motor court into a night-sky landmark. Carpenter W. A. Huggins began the Blue Swallow before World War II, and rancher Ted Jones opened it in 1942. Twelve rooms wrap an L-shaped court; attached garages, stucco walls, and regional decorative details show how a small independent motel once made the automobile part of the architecture.The motel did not become a frozen museum. Successive owners kept restoring the rooms, garages, and celebrated sign while continuing to welcome overnight travelers. Today it remains family-owned and operating, so the best version of this Hop is both historic and alive: notice the court’s human scale by day, then see the neon gather travelers after dark.A short daytime visit and personal photography are welcomed, but this is an active lodging property. Park on Choctaw or Dawson streets, keep guest rooms and garages private, and follow owner or staff direction. Groups of 10 or more and tour buses should arrange ahead; tours require at least 24 hours’ notice. Lobby hours are currently 6:30–9:00 a.m. and 3:00–9:00 p.m. Mountain Time, but lodging, tours, room access, gift-shop access, and neon operation can vary—confirm directly before a long detour. This Hop promises no room, tour, purchase, or partner benefit. More

Neon turns this motor court into a night-sky landmark. Carpenter W. A. Huggins began the Blue Swallow before World War II, and rancher Ted Jones opened it in 1942. Twelve rooms wrap an L-shaped court; attached garages, stucco walls, and regional decorative details show how a small independent motel once made the automobile part of the architecture.The motel did not become a frozen museum. Successive owners kept restoring the rooms, garages, and celebrated sign while continuing to welcome overnight travelers. Today it remains family-owned and operating, so the best version of this Hop is both historic and alive: notice the court’s human scale by day, then see the neon gather travelers after dark.A short daytime visit and personal photography are welcomed, but this is an active lodging property. Park on Choctaw or Dawson streets, keep guest rooms and garages private, and follow owner or staff direction. Groups of 10 or more and tour buses should arrange ahead; tours require at least 24 hours’ notice. Lobby hours are currently 6:30–9:00 a.m. and 3:00–9:00 p.m. Mountain Time, but lodging, tours, room access, gift-shop access, and neon operation can vary—confirm directly before a long detour. This Hop promises no room, tour, purchase, or partner benefit. More