The tha-thump – tha-thump of the concrete seams on your tires would be clear on this section of Route 66. This 1950s photo shows the highway heading west toward the town of Williams, Ariz. Williams is a good stop along the Mother Road, offering lots to see and do, including the nearby Grand Canyon. Oh, that mountain in the distance is called Bill Williams Mountain, named for a old-time frontiersman.
A crisp, clean view of downtown Yuma, Ariz., just off U.S. 95. What a fantastic streetscape of cool signs and cool cars. These kind of photographs really show what has been lost as our commercial and retail habits have shifted to big box and power center shopping. Just one block, of this rather small Arizona town, offered banks, theaters, drug stores, cafes, car parts, night clubs and a bowling alley. Today, much of this area is a historic district.
Franchise motels, like Holiday Inn and TraveLodge, began to appear along Route 66 in the late 1950s. TraveLodge was started in California and crept eastward. Mrs. Ruth J. Brockmiller, Helen J. Hougland and Alice G. White were in charge of this early TraveLodge motel in Kingman, Ariz. Sleepy Bear was (is) the mascot of this chain which still operates today.
The inside of this brochure, from the late 1950s, shows a rather plain-looking establishment. with a simple sign. Holiday Inn had nothing to fear in terms of sign appeal.
A charming mid-century illustration caps this brochure. By the 1950s, the romance and adventure of families traveling 66 was fact. This cartoon celebrates that image.
Stop in at the Round-Up Motel in Tucson, Ariz. Located on U.S. Highway 80, this ranch-style motel lured in travelers from the hot Arizona sun by offering air-conditioning. This postcard example and business card are from the early 1950s. Lucky for you, the motel is still in operation today.
U.S. Highway 80 cuts a straight line through this little town southwest of Phoenix. In this photo, from the mid-1950s, Gila Bend, Ariz. had all the services a traveler needed. Several gas stations, including Richfield can be seen. The older Stout’s Hotel, on the left, does its best to attract business. It shares a building with a soda fountain. I love the moment of conversation between service station attendant and an out-of-state motorist. Maybe he was getting directions?
If only we could see this streetscape at night. The neon is probably awesome. This photo looks toward the west showing eastbound U.S. 66. In the background, looms the large “Store for Men” sign. Cafes line the street, including the sensational-looking National Cafe, with its bold letters balancing on the front entry.
Near Lupton is the friendly Highway 66 welcome sign.The mileage signs says: Holbrook, 74 miles and Flagstaff, 165 miles. Lots of desert driving ahead. This area was peppered with trading posts, gas stations and Indians selling their crafts along the roadside.
Historic Highways 