Motoring Ahead at the Western Motel
For 20 years Uppen and Jyoti Patel have kept the lights on at the Western Motel. Hear their story and learn why small businesses matter on Route 66.
National Trust for Historic Preservation
Jackson Feldman
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The crossroads of America
In the windswept prairies of the eastern Texas Panhandle, the Western Motel stands at the great crossroads of the Main Street of America—historic U.S. Route 66—and the city of Shamrock’s own Main Street–present-day U.S. Route 83.
Established in the mid-1960s to service booming traffic along Route 66, the Western Motel’s legacy of hospitality is preserved today through the work of owners Uppen and Jyoti Patel.
Texas' own four leaf clover
Shamrock was established in its current location in 1902, prompted by the Chicago, Rock Island, and Gulf Railroad’s construction through lower Wheeler County, Texas.
Proximity to railroad traffic and oil discovered in 1926 fueled the town’s early growth, yet its opportune location—consistent with its name’s lucky symbolism–was proven again by another form of transportation.
A little bit more luck
Route 66 was inaugurated in 1926, intended to act as the primary artery between Chicago and Los Angeles in the new U.S. Highway System. Spanning roughly 2,400 miles across eight states, the highway’s path was routed directly through Shamrock in its Texas Panhandle segment.
Western Motel: Shamrock, Texas Route 66 by James R. Powell Route 66 postcard collection, Newberry LibraryNational Trust for Historic Preservation
Shamrock’s Route 66 commercial strip in the mid-1950s
At its inception, Route 66 bore little resemblance to a modern highway. Travelers faced unpaved, sharply winding alignments making for slow-going, tumultuous journeys.
Once the highway was finally paved through the region in the 1930s, the resulting increase in traffic initiated the development of an automobile-centric commercial district along 12th Street, Shamrock’s finalized Route 66 alignment.
Western Motel: View of Tower Station & U-Drop Inn by Efren Lopez/Route 66 ImageNational Trust for Historic Preservation
The U-Drop Inn creates a wave
Built in 1936, the Tower Station and U-Drop Inn Cafe, an icon of Art Deco design, was at the forefront of this growth and was later accompanied by numerous motels, restaurants, and service stations. Joining this flourishing traveler-oriented business was the Western Motel in the mid-1960s.
The Western Motel persists today, proudly serving travelers along Route 66 long after the highway was eclipsed by Interstate 40.
First-hand knowledge
In October 2024, National Trust for Historic Preservation research associate Jackson Feldman interviewed Uppen Patel, the motel’s dedicated long-time owner.
Western Motel: Parking Area by Uppen MotelNational Trust for Historic Preservation
Meet the Patels
"My name is Uppen Patel. I'm associated with the Western Motel in Shamrock, Texas, on Route 66."
Uppen Patel has owned and operated the Western Motel with his wife Jyoti for 24 years. The motel has been in the family since 1981; Uppen’s uncle was the former owner of the business.
Western Motel: Uppen and Jyoti Patel by Efren Lopez/Route 66 ImageNational Trust for Historic Preservation
The ups and downs of owning a motel
"The previous owner was my uncle. He moved here I believe in 1981 during the oil boom that was going on at that time, and he moved here in 1981. So he was here for about 22 years. He ran the building as Western Motel on 66. "
Uppen Patel: "And he had seen so many ups and downs, and now I've been here 24 years, I've seen so many ups and downs too."
While a resurgence of interest in Route 66 has attracted a steady stream of roadtrippers to the motel, business is affected by the cyclical nature of the oil industry. In economic sloughs, the small town’s overabundance of lodging generates fierce competition, especially from chain hotels positioned near the Interstate 40 exit.
Western Motel: Route 66 Mug by Efren Lopez/Route 66 ImageNational Trust for Historic Preservation
As the oil industry goes
"The 2014, the oil fully declining. We sort of don't have that many workers or the construction workers and that. So we just rely on the travelers. And we have being a small hotel, 24 units and we have 1,500 population in town. There's nothing, no industries or nothing."
"So it is just the travelers and whatever, the construction workers. But as I said that we have 500 plus rooms for this small town, so it's hard to survive.”
However, the owners’ dedication to customer service and cleanliness offers a compelling reason to choose the Western Motel. When his wife is away, Uppen Patel works tirelessly, 24 hours a day to ensure a satisfying stay, reflected in the motel’s superb guest reviews.
Western Motel: Inside of a Motel Rooms (2024) by Efren Lopez/Route 66 ImageNational Trust for Historic Preservation
Taking care of guests
“As I tell all my guests, it's not a Holiday Inn or it's not a Hilton, but here's the key. You can go and check the room. It will get nice, comfortable, clean room with everything works. So we haven't (touch wood) we haven't had no problem with the room side. We take care of the rooms here."
The Western Motel is located at the crossroads of two superlative American highways: the most well-known–Route 66–and the longest–Route 83.
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In addition to travelers seeking the quirkiness and iconic Americana of the Mother Road, the motel also serves many snowbird Canadians heading to warmer climates along the north-south highway.
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The motel at the crossroads of America
"We’re on catty corner here of U.S 66 and Highway 83. A lot of people don't know that's the longest highway from Mexico to Saskatchewan, Canada. That's the longest highway."
U Drop Inn Full View (2023-03-16) by R Boed via Flickr CC BY 2.0 DEEDNational Trust for Historic Preservation
The motel’s location is unequaled in another aspect, too. It sits directly across from the Tower Station and U-Drop Inn Cafe, one of the most photographed sights along Route 66, which has been dutifully restored to its historic glory.
Uppen Patel literally keeps the lights on at this Route 66 landmark; he helps maintain the distinctive neon lighting each night.
Western Motel: View of the U-Drop Inn Cafe by Efren Lopez/Route 66 ImageNational Trust for Historic Preservation
Lighting up Route 66
"So I do take care of a lot of things over there, like the rope light, neon looking rope light and that I do take care of the timers and all that, so I have access to that building."
The Patels are appreciative of all who choose to support small businesses like their own. This network of support comes from far and wide. Many of their guests are international travelers, from South America to Europe.
Western Motel: View of Route 66 with Neon by Efren Lopez/Route 66 ImageNational Trust for Historic Preservation
Supporting small businesses
"There's a lot of people, they just travel and they do support small businesses like us. We are very much appreciative, because of them. We can pay one bill at least if we have travelers, then."
Uppen and Jyoti Patel are hopeful that Route 66’s centennial celebration in 2026 will bring renewed awareness of the historic highway and the small and local businesses working to preserve its legacy.
Learn more about the National Trust for Historic Preservation's campaign to preserve Route 66, sign our petition to advocate for the Mother Road, and then share your Route 66 story with us.
Explore other stories on the Mother Road
Preserving Spencer Station on Route 66
Generations Flock to La Paloma
Jackson Feldman is a Route 66 Legacy Businesses research associate for the National Trust for Historic Preservation. He is a scholar of Urban and Regional Studies at Cornell University’s College of Architecture, Art, and Planning.
Learn more about the Route 66 Legacy Business Program.
This story is made possible by the generosity of David and Julia Uihlein.
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