El Rancho Hotel, Gallup, New Mexico, is a historic hotel built by R.E. “Griff” Griffith,[2] the brother of film directorD.W. Griffith. The pair encouraged early film production in the surrounding area.[2] It is located on old U.S. Route 66 and became the temporary home for many Hollywoodmovie stars.The rambling, three-story hotel building has a large portico with a central balcony reminiscent of the Southern Plantation style. The National Park Service describes it as having a “rusticated fantasy appearance.” Materials include brick, random ashlar stone, and roughewn wood with a wood shake roof and brick and stone chimneys. The lobby features a spectacular walk-in fireplace made of brick and random ashlar stone surrounded by twin stairways made of split logs that lead to the second floor guest rooms.[2] The slogan “Charm of Yesterday, Convenience of Tomorrow” is rendered in neon above the main entrance.[3]
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