Esoteric Survey

Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena is Historic Route 66. This 1948 building is just one of the great examples of architecture still in existence on the historic roadway.
The building started out as Draper Studio of Modes. The business was founded by Virginia Draper in 1927. She was inspired after visiting Chanel Modes in Paris.
Source: 66 Postcards
In 1948, the building was enlarged and remodeled to fit the "modern" brand Virginia had built. Although the company left this Colorado Boulevard location many years ago, the company was still around until 2017, when the company who acquired them decided to close all their retail locations. Ninety years is not a bad run and Draper's still does have an online presence. More about Virgina can be found here. 
Source: 66 Postcards
70 years later, the palm trees seem to be doing well.
The building is in what looks like to be excellent condition and is designated as a historical landmark. It is now home to Rose City Dental Arts.
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Crossroads Motel on Central Ave (formerly Route 66) in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

1966 Postcard with the Route 66 sign in the median. The route was decommissioned in 1985. Central Avenue is a pretty great time capsule of roadside businesses that serviced the historic highway. 


The motel was known as the "The Crystal Palace" in Breaking Bad.  The reviews of the hotel are interesting. It seems like if you're not a Breaking bad fan, it's a dump. 


The pool looks a little sketchy.

Central Avenue had been under construction for quite some time. They were working on the Albuquerque Rapid Transit (ART) bus line. People were up in arms about about the project when I was there last year. It's done now and it looks like a lot of new investment is going into the area.

Albuquerque Boys Club (1954). A pretty interesting triple quonset.


Albuquerque is a little rough around the edges, but I like it.

Photo: Ernst Haas, 1969