Once a bustling western railroad town along historic Route 66, now the biggest draw is “…standin’ on a corner in Winslow Arizona…” even though there is more to see and do in the area.
Because we took the scenic route instead of I40 75-miles east of Flagstaff, a four hour drive through desert and forest with good company meant no photos until rolling into Winslow, Arizona.
There’s an old town feel with two double-lane one-way streets running parallel a block apart through town. Not much traffic held up by the installation of Christmas decorations on the old time street lights. And no problem finding parking in the lot next door to BoJos where we met my friend’s family for lunch. I highly recommend the Freddies Tacos, and if you’re there after 3pm, like we were the next day, say Hi to 80+ year-old Mary who still waits tables and runs the bar. (She may own the place, or maybe her son does.)
Rails & Auto Trails
The Santa Fe Railway put Winslow on the map during the early 1880s being named for General Edward F. Winslow, President of the railroad. A terminal, complete with roundhouse that is no longer there, and maintenance depot employed many people. The rails provided transportation to folks traveling across a wild land, and made it possible to ship freight across country. Which leads to my friend’s family operating a lumber company and still owning land in Winslow.
In the era of steam locomotives, Winslow was an important stop for adding water and fuel to trains. With the opening of La Posada Hotel in 1930 passengers could disembark and have enough time for a meal, or even stay overnight. By 1957 La Posada closed its doors as automobiles had basically replaced the train for travelers.
US Route 66, the primary east-west highway from Chicago to L.A. included a government-funded wagon road built in the 1850s along the 35th Parallel. Completed in the mid 1920s and completely paved by 1940, this ribbon of highway carried a migration of people westward especially during the 30s dust bowl and WWII.
Winslow was just one of many towns along the Mother Road where Mom-n-Pop businesses like service stations, restaurants, and motor-courts served travelers. The 50s brought vacationers to national parks via roadside attractions like teepee-shaped motels, Indian curio shops, obscure attractions, Burma Shave signs, and fast-food.
Over time, US 66 was rerouted and as interstates were constructed bypassed towns and cities along the way. By the late 1970s, I40 was completed north of the old part of Winslow lined with easy access national chain shopping, restaurants, and hotels. Our room at the Econo Lodge along historic US 66 is located between the railroad tracks and interstate.
Revival of Winslow
When the railroad announced plans to move out of Winslow for good in 1994 and demolish the La Posada where their offices had been for almost 30 years the town people worked together to save the hotel and restore the downtown historic district. Three years later, owner Allan Affeldt reopened La Posada.
Taking advantage of the 1972 Eagles release of “Take it Easy” written by Glenn Frey and Jackson Browne that included “Well I was standin’ on a corner in Winslow Arizona such a fine sight to see…”, after much fundraising, Standin’ on the Corner Park opened in 1999 at the corner of Kinsley and East 2nd St in the old business district.
Ron Adamson was commissioned to create a life-sized bronze sculpture of a guy and his guitar who many think looks like Jackson Browne.
It was late enough in the afternoon mid November that the entire corner was in shadow. But that didn’t stop people from taking selfies with the statue. It really wasn’t crowded and people moved out of each others way for photos.
The mural painted by John Pugh partially depicts “It’s a girl, my Lord, in a flatbed Ford, slowing down to take a look at me”. I was surprised the painted windows behind the Glen Frey and Jackson Browne statues was on a false front.
Later while researching Winslow, I discovered that other than the corner and existing wall, a fire in 2004 burned down the building which my friend said used to be a Walgreens when he was a kid. A second bronze statue of a 1970’s Glenn Frey was added to the park in 2016, the year of his death.
At this time of year mid-day light might be better for side lighting. As I was pressed for light and time I missed taking closeups of the statues and bricks on the wall with donor’s name and story.
St Joseph’s Parish 1921
Restoration continues as the original business district along US 66 still struggles to hang on with many empty buildings with boarded over windows. There is a unique architectural style to the early 20th century buildings, some built of local sandstone.
Even if you were born after this song was written, it’s iconic, and will easily get caught in your head.
Definitely worth the stop. And there is more to do and see in and around Winslow. I saw several murals and missed visiting the Old Trails Museum. Other nearby attractions include Homolovi State Park, Petrified Forest National Monument, Hubbell Trading Post, Rock Art Ranch, Meteor Crater, Canyon Diablo, and Two Guns. There are plenty of hotels and RV parks.
Sierra helped me pack for this road trip
2019 Calendars are more than ready to ship!