About Us
The building at 510 U.S. Route 66 in Milan, NM, just west of where the Dollar General now stands, has a colorful and eclectic past. Originally opened in 1946 by Herman and Phyllis Atkinson, it began as the Lost Canyon Trading Post before becoming famous as the Cobra Gardens (also known as the Cactus Gardens).
1946
Original Building Opened
Route 66
Location
2025
Refillery 66 becomes a business
24/7
Online Website
Dei McNeill
Co-Owner
Richard McNeill
Co-Owner
At Refillery 66 LLC, we are dedicated to creating a sustainable retail experience that honors the rich history of Route 66. Our unique space combines vintage charm with eco-friendly practices, offering refillable goods and locally sourced products that cater to the environmentally conscious consumer. We believe in the power of community and strive to provide a welcoming hub for locals and travelers alike, where every visit is an opportunity to connect with the past while embracing a sustainable future.
Our mission is to breathe new life into the historic Cobra Gardens building, transforming it into a modern apothecary and refillery. We celebrate the quirky spirit of the Mother Road by incorporating vintage-inspired design elements and a curated selection of metaphysical goods. By honoring Route 66 folklore and promoting regenerative living, we aim to create a space that resonates with the values of our community and the stories of the past.
Refillery 66 is not just a shop; it is a tribute to the beautiful legacy of Route 66. We invite you to explore our interactive storytelling experiences, where every cactus has a story, and every product filled is part of a continuing legend. Join us in our journey towards wellness and sustainability, as we connect heritage with innovation, creating a vibrant community hub for all who seek to embrace a healthier, more conscious lifestyle.
Historical Information below found here: Milan, Route 66 New Mexico
Cobra Gardens – Lost Canyon Trading Post
Across the highway from the old gas station, to your right where the Dollar General is now located, and to the west of it (506 U.S. Rte. 66) are the remains of a snake pit or snake farm.
The Cobra Gardens also known as Cactus Gardens opened in 1946. It was owned by Herman Atkinson and his wife Phyllis; at first they named it the “Lost Canyon Trading Post…. 1 1⁄2 miles west of Grants, New Mexico.”
Herman’s elder brother Leroy had been the first of the family to move west from Texas to work in the trading post business, he owned several of them in Manuelito NM, including the Box Canyon TP there. Herman’s other brother, Jake owned the Rattle Snake Trading Post in neighboring Bluewater.
Herman’s main business was selling merchandise and they bought two snakes to attract customers, placing them in the “Den of Death.” Seeing that the snakes brought more people than those buying curios, they decided to add more snakes and charge an admission fee.
House of Cobras, 1950s postcard Milan US66. Source
Eventually they expanded the reptile house and had over 300 snakes of all kinds from anacondas to cobras, pythons and rattlesnakes. The complex had murals with palm trees and stepped parapets:
Cobra Gardens, 1950s postcard Milan US66. Source
But the golden days wouldn’t last forever. Herman saw the freeway coming and understood what it would mean to his business. By 1954 he’d sold the property snakes and all and focused on Indian crafts at their trading post in Scottsdale AZ. In 1975 Herman and Phyllis published a book “A Guide to Indian Jewelry, Baskets, Silver, Pottery, Rugs, Beadwork, Kachinas and Turquoise” (1)
The new owners, the Thigpens ran it as Cactus Gardens until both passed away. In 1972 the new owners Ron and Cindy Smith covered the old cactus murals with a false Far West fort woodwork and renamed it “Milan Silver and Gold”, selling Navajo jewelry; pictured below.
Silver and Gold store, 1971 Milan NM. Source. Click to enlarge
Cactus Gardens “murals” nowadays Milan NM. St. view. Click to enlarge
The false front woodworks has been removed and the old murals depicting palm trees and cacti can still be seen on the part of the building that survived until now.
Our Mission
Refillery 66 is breathing new life into this historic site by honoring its whimsical, wild-west-meets-weird-desert past. Located in the original Cobra Gardens building, our business is rooted in heritage, healing, and the quirky spirit of the Mother Road.
We’re embracing the building’s identity as a former trading post and snake farm by reimagining it as a modern apothecary and refillery, combining old-school charm with sustainable, community-centered wellness. Our thematic inspiration – “Cobra Gardens: The Lost Canyon Reimagined” – ties into the location’s history through:
- Vintage-inspired design elements, restoring or referencing the original murals and desert aesthetic
- A curated selection of metaphysical goods, herbal blends, and handcrafted items, nodding to the building’s roots in Native crafts
- Interactive storytelling, honoring Route 66 folklore and roadside culture
- A focus on regenerative and intentional living, with modern refillery offerings and spiritual wellness services
Refillery 66 is more than a shop – it’s a tribute to the bizarre, beautiful legacy of Route 66, where every cactus has a story, and every bottle filled is part of a continuing legend.
Upcoming Events
March
2026
Refillery 66 – Online Grand Opening
510 U.S. Rte. 66, Milan, NM
All Day Event
TBD
2026
Refillery 66 – Community Event
510 U.S. Rte. 66, Milan, NM
12pm – 5pm
By
2035
Refillery 66 – Storefront Grand Opening
510 U.S. Rte. 66, Milan, NM
9am – 3pm