Heart of the Mother Road
San Jon, NM: Where the Best Begins
San Jon, NM: Where the Best Begins
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Part of Our Route 66 Everytown Collection – San Jon Edition
Start every adventure with the spirit of the open road. This ultra-soft unisex jersey tee is crafted from 100 % Airlume-combed, ring-spun cotton for lasting comfort. Across the chest, the cheerful slogan “Where the Best Begins” celebrates San Jon, New Mexico: the first stop in the Land of Enchantment for eastbound Route 66 travelers.
Perfect for Mother Road explorers, sign hunters, and collectors of our exclusive Route 66 Everytown Collection, this shirt carries the optimism of wide skies and endless highways wherever you go.
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About San Jon, New Mexico: The Mother Road's First New Mexico Stop
Set among sunflower-speckled plains in Quay County, San Jon began in 1902 as a cattle-shipping point along the Rock Island Railroad. When Route 66 arrived in 1926, the town became a lively gateway to New Mexico.
Motorists crossed the state line, spotted a bold welcome sign stating: “Where the Best Begins,” and pulled up to rows of Whiting Bros. gas pumps, cozy cafés, and glowing neon motel courts that lit the prairie night.
From Dust Bowl refugees to 1950s vacationers, travelers stopped for chili cheeseburgers, swapped stories under awnings, and took photos beside the water tower still painted with the town’s motto. In 1934, a sturdy WPA-era sandstone school became the pride of the community, echoing with cheers on Friday nights while the old livery barn hosted summer dances.
The 1980s arrival of Interstate 40 bypassed San Jon, diverting the traffic just a mile north. Yet the town’s spirit endures. Faded motel signs, weathered service bays, and the iconic welcome sign still greet travelers who seek the slower, storied route of Old 66.
Watch the sunset blaze across the plains, feel the rumble of passing freight trains, and you’ll understand why locals still say: "The best part of any journey begins here."
Slip on your San Jon Route 66 tee and carry the promise of fresh starts and open horizons wherever the Mother Road leads.
Product Features:
- 100% Airlume combed and ring-spun cotton for premium softness
- Side seams for added structure and durability
- Tear-away label for comfort
- Classic crew neckline with a flattering unisex fit - true-to-size for all day comfort (see size chart for details)
- Fulfilled in the USA
Care Instructions:
- Machine wash: cold (max 90°F / 30°C)
- Tumble dry: low heat
- Non-chlorine bleach as needed
- Iron or steam: medium heat
- Do not dry clean
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