Raton, NM former Swastika Hotel (# 1134)

The Hotel Swastika building, which opened in 1929 and was named for the swastika symbol that was commonly used by area Native American tribes. In 1938 when Hitler was rising in power and using the swastika as a symbol, it was decided to rename the hotel to the Hotel Yucca. If you look at one of the larger versions of the above picture, you can see not only the quality of the friezes (including swastikas) at the top of the building, but also the tile detail above some windows and on the lower levels.

Due to the development of I-25 on the east side of town, the hotel closed in 1969. Since 1971 it has been a bank that seems to be doing an excellent job of maintaining the building.

Included in the source (below) for this building is a picture of a matchbook cover from the Hotel Swastika where the swastika is shown in a red circle, looking eerily similar to the symbolism later adopted for Nazi use.

Source: www.matchpro.org/Archives/2016/Hotel%20Swastika.pdf