When you drive into Williams, Arizona, you can’t help but notice that you’re on Historic US Highway 66, or, as it’s better known, “Route 66.” This highway officially began in 1926 when the Bureau of Public Roads launched the nation’s first Federal highway system. It stretched 2400 miles from Chicago to Los Angeles and, although it was decommissioned as a federal highway in 1985, it remains an iconic road in the memory of many Americans, especially those of us old enough to remember its existence as well as the TV show. Due to its historic cultural significance, in 1999 the US Congress created the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program administered by the National Park Service.
I wish I could say that I was on a great trek, cruising along the “Mother Road” in my Corvette, but, truth be told, I wasn’t thinking at all about Route 66. After leaving the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, Williams was simply the town where I planned to catch I-40 and head west. Because of all of the “66” signs, however, I decided to stop and wander around. I could hear that old song “Get your kicks on Route 66” playing in my head.
[Pardon me while I take a musical detour. I couldn’t remember who sang the Route 66 song so I thought I’d look it up. Two surprises turned up. First, the song was not written for the 1960 – 64 TV show; it was written in 1946 by an actor named Bobby Troup. Second, it has been recorded by quite a few people including Nat “King” Cole, Chuck Berry, Ray Charles and even The Rolling Stones, Billie Gibbons and John Mayer (for the movie “Cars.”). These links will take you to their recordings on YouTube. Take your pick!]
When I got out of my car I realized that the parking lot I was in was right next to a place that had some restored cars. The one out front practically glowed. Fortunately, since the car was in the shade, I didn’t have to worry that I might go blind from sun reflecting off of the chrome. Although I enjoy seeing and photographing classic cars like this, I’m not really an old auto aficionado. This might be something like a 1960s Chevrolet. I’m pretty sure about the “Chevrolet” part but the “1960s” part is just an uneducated guess. If you know, please let me know!
Williams was founded in 1881 and, according to the city’s website, it was “named for the famous trapper, scout and mountain man, ‘Old Bill Williams.'” Not all communities survive being bypassed by a new highway. You may have noticed in the second photograph from the top, that on October 13, 1984, Williams was the last town on Route 66 to be bypassed by Interstate 40. Fortunately, the tourism associated with the romance of Route 66 has helped Williams continue to thrive. Having just departed Grand Canyon National Park, I wasn’t surprised to learn that Williams considers itself to be the gateway to the Grand Canyon. In fact, if you prefer not to drive there, you can even board the Grand Canyon Railway in Williams for the approximately 60-mile train ride north to the park.
I hadn’t really planned to stop in Williams because I still had quite far to go to reach my next destination. Since it’s not a very large town, the population is a little over 3200, and the historic part of town is only six square blocks, I decided to walk around for a while and then stop for a quick lunch before I had to continue on my way.
I’m not sure if Elvis ever played Williams on his way to Vegas, but, if not, his statue might be there because — and don’t spread this rumor around — he might actually be living in Williams! Regardless, there are plenty of restaurants here where you can find some good barbecue just like you can in Memphis. You might also be able to find some “BIKES-BABES-BEER” but I cannot attest to that.
If I were a DJ at a Williams’ radio station, I think it would be fun to have listeners guess how many times the number “66” shows up in signs around town. I’m sure it’s many more than I saw at the 50th reunion for my high school Class of ’66.
By the way, this part of Arizona is not just sage brush territory. Williams sits at an elevation of 6,770 feet and is surrounded by the Kaibab National Forest, so the scenery here is quite beautiful.
If you didn’t have time to listen to one of the six great versions of Route 66 listed above, the significant lines from the song that mention the names of cities along the route are listed below. Sadly, Williams is not listed.
It winds from Chicago to LA
More than two thousand miles all the way
Get your kicks on Route 66
Now you go through St. Louis
Joplin, Missouri
And Oklahoma City looks mighty pretty
You see Amarillo
Gallup, New Mexico
Flagstaff, Arizona
Don’t forget Winona
Kingman, Barstow, San Bernandino
Won’t you get hip to this timely tip
When you make that California trip
Get your kicks on Route 66