Deep in the heart of Amarillo, Texas, the tale of roadside attractions takes an unusual turn with the story of the Slug Bug Ranch. While Cadillac Ranch stands as a celebrated monument to automotive art, its lesser-known cousin, the Slug Bug Ranch, offered a unique, albeit shorter-lived, experience centered around the iconic “Slug Bug Car”—the Volkswagen Beetle. Emerging in 2002, this quirky spot, also nicknamed the Bug Farm, aimed to capture the attention of Route 66 travelers, but its story appears to have concluded around 2023.
The Crutchfield family, who had been local proprietors since 1967 with their Longhorn Trading Post and Rattlesnake Ranch, expanded their venture in 2002 to include the VW Bug Ranch. Local lore suggests that the family felt threatened by the opening of a Love’s Travel Stop nearby on Interstate 40. In response, Tommy Crutchfield reportedly took a page from Cadillac Ranch’s book and half-buried five Volkswagen Beetles nose-down. These “slug bug cars” were painted a vibrant yellow and accompanied by a sign inviting visitors to “Sign a Bug,” turning the installation into an interactive art piece.
This attempt to draw in tourists proved somewhat successful, attracting visitors intrigued by the unusual sight of “slug bug cars” standing to attention. However, despite the novelty, it wasn’t enough to sustain the Crutchfield’s original trading post, which closed its doors a year later. Adding a layer of complexity to the narrative, the current landowner, Ettie Crutchfield, Tommy’s wife, disputes the popular story. She claims the closure was due to family matters, not business failure, and further states it was Tommy’s brother, Ricky, who was responsible for placing the cars, not Tommy himself.
Regardless of the exact reasons behind its creation and closure, the land remains with the family. Today, the buildings on the site are described as vandalized and beyond repair. The fate of the “slug bug cars” themselves is also uncertain, leaving their current existence in question.
More Than Just a Field of Beetles: Exploring the Micro Ghost Town
While not a ghost town in the traditional sense, Slug Bug Ranch has devolved into a rapidly decaying roadside curiosity, appealing to those with an interest in forgotten places. For enthusiasts of automotive history and quirky Americana, the site held a certain appeal, though time and vandalism have taken their toll.
The “slug bug cars” were positioned prominently along the southern edge of the Crutchfield property, right next to the road, making them easily accessible. However, reports indicate the area became strewn with broken glass, debris, and potholes, signs of neglect and misuse. Adding to the area’s rugged character, the original name, Rattlesnake Ranch, was a fitting reminder of the local wildlife. Snakes were reportedly common in the area, even finding their way into the “slug bug cars” themselves, adding an element of untamed nature reclaiming the man-made attraction.
