Ranchotel
Also known as: Morning Star Hostel; Mark Schupp Center
Why it's listed
Occupying a quarter block on the old alignment of U.S. Route 66 in Amarillo, this tourist court was built in 1940 by the Randall Construction Company for Chester and Betty Bordwell at a cost of $20,000. Sixteen units wrap around a central office and residence in a U-shaped plan, linked by alternating garage spaces. Stucco walls, squat chimneys, exposed rafter ends, rustic posts and wagon wheel balustrades evoke the Southwest's adobe and ranching imagery. Amarillo was the only major city on Texas's stretch of Route 66, and dozens of tourist courts served travelers there. Most have since been demolished, altered or left derelict, especially after Route 66 was rerouted and Interstate 40 was built. The Ranchotel is among the few pre-war survivors. Its garages and office porch have been enclosed for later use as a hostel and hospice, yet the roof profiles and stucco surfaces remain. It was listed for its association with Route 66 transportation history.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the Ranchotel is significant under Criterion A in the area of Transportation, at the local level. It is one of the few surviving pre-war tourist courts that once lined Route 66 in Amarillo. It represents a roadside travel experience that has virtually disappeared and is tied to early 20th-century automobile culture.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 95000411, listed April 14, 1995. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 2501 W. Sixth Ave., Amarillo |
|---|---|
| County | Potter County |
| Listed | April 14, 1995 |
| Reference number | 95000411 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1940-45 |
| Architect / builder | Randall Construction Company (builder) |
| Architectural style | Other: U-plan tourist court |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Transportation |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Currently serves as a hostel for the homeless and hospice for HIV/AIDS patients; described as remaining in good repair. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 35.21119, -101.86519 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 95000411.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q107320636
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.