Visiting McLean

U.S. Route 66 was established in 1926 and ran 2,448 miles from Chicago to Santa Monica. The Texas portion crossed the Panhandle for roughly 178 miles, and McLean was the first sizable town westbound travelers reached after entering Texas from Oklahoma.

Through McLean, Route 66 followed a one-way pair of streets through downtown, lined with service stations, cafés, motor courts, and shops. Many of those buildings still stand today, giving visitors a look at what the Mother Road was like in its heyday.

Park downtown and explore at your own pace. Highlights include:

• The 1928 Phillips 66 station on First Street
• The Devil's Rope Museum and Texas Route 66 Museum on Kingsley Street
• The McLean-Alanreed Area Museum on Main Street
• Historic storefronts and vintage signage along the old Route 66 corridor
• The historic Cactus Inn motor court sign
• The Avalon Theater building

Please respect private property and be careful of traffic when crossing streets for photographs.

Segments of the original Route 66 roadway can still be driven east and west of McLean, including the stretch toward Alanreed and the old road toward Shamrock. Some sections are unpaved or in poor condition; check conditions before setting out, and be alert for farm equipment and livestock.

Built in 1928, the small tile-roofed station on First Street is recognized as the first Phillips 66 station in Texas. It served Route 66 travelers for nearly five decades before it closed in 1977.

The station was restored by the Texas Old Route 66 Association and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Restoration work, including the vintage gasoline pumps and brickwork, has continued in recent years.

The station can be viewed and photographed from the street at any time. It is one of the most photographed landmarks on the Texas stretch of Route 66. Please do not climb on the pumps or enter fenced work areas.

Located at 100 Kingsley St, the Devil's Rope Museum is dedicated to the history of barbed wire — the “devil's rope” that transformed the open range of the American West. The museum holds one of the largest collections of barbed wire and fencing tools anywhere, along with exhibits on ranching and the Panhandle.

The building also houses the Texas Route 66 Museum, with memorabilia, maps, and displays about the Mother Road in Texas. The museum is housed in a building that formerly served as a garment factory.

The museum hosts a long-running barbed wire show and swap meet each spring that draws collectors from across the country. Contact the museum for dates and details.

Hours vary by season. Admission is free, and donations are gratefully accepted to support the museum's volunteers and preservation work. Please call ahead during the winter months.

The McLean-Alanreed Area Museum preserves the history of McLean, Alanreed, and the surrounding ranching and farming communities. Exhibits include pioneer and ranching artifacts, school and church memorabilia, military history, and photographs of the town through the decades.

The museum includes information about Camp McLean, the World War II prisoner of war camp that operated east of town. See the History page to learn more.

• Spring — Barbed Wire Show & Swap Meet at the Devil's Rope Museum
• Summer — Route 66 car clubs, motorcycle tours, and international travelers
• Fall — McLean Tigers football and homecoming; National Night Out
• Winter — Holiday celebrations and community gatherings downtown

Organizers of parades, car shows, rides, and other events that use city streets or parks should contact City Hall at least two weeks in advance. The police department can help with traffic control. Call (806) 395-5198.

• Check DriveTexas.org for I-40 closures during winter storms and high winds.
• Fill up on fuel — distances between services in the Panhandle can be long.
• Watch for wildlife and livestock on rural roads, especially at dawn and dusk.
• Report road hazards or stranded motorists by calling 9-1-1 or the non-emergency line.

The nearest commercial airport is Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport (AMA), about an hour's drive west on Interstate 40.