The El Rancho Hotel is home to five Americorps*VISTA volunteers. This historic hotel was built in the 1930's or so, to house the influx of movie stars who were coming to Gallup, NM to produce Westerns. The El Rancho was on par with the playboy mansion when Route 66 was the major thoroughfare that connected Chicago to L.A.
The El Rancho Hotel is now a historical venue for numerous vacationers, and is filled with autographed pictures, memorabilia, Native Arts, and western decor. Each room of the hotel has been dedicated to a movie star; such as, the Jimmy Stewart room, the Ronald Regan room, and the John Wayne room.
The Vista volunteers stay in two rooms in the Bunkhouse, a side of the hotel where the grips and staff used to stay.
One Vista describes staying at the El Rancho Hotel as, "It's a vacation everyday."
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