Melbie Toast
Cruiser's Cafe 66 on Route 66 in Williams, Arizona
After visiting the Grand Canyon, we spent an afternoon visiting Williams, Arizona and walking down the old town Route 66 admiring the vintage buildings, cafes and shops. We still didn't see it all and want to return for another visit soon. In this shot of the cafe I used Photoshop filter "Fractalius" to enhance the original photo.
INFORMATION ON CRUISER'S CAFE 66:
Cruisers Cafe 66
233 W. Route 66
Williams, AZ
Enjoy a nostalgic experience at the Cruisers Cafe 66! Just imagine your favorite 1950s-style favorite high school hangout, add in cocktail service, and you have this charming Cafe. Here you will find classic American favorites, such as good burgers, steaks, ribs, seafood, salads, and malts. Special decor touches, such as the large mural, stuffed buffalo, and historic cars out front make this a Route 66 favorite. Adults and kids alike enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and the jukebox tunes.
INFORMATION ON WILLIAMS, ARIZONA & ROUTE 66:
Relive the glory of Old Route 66 on the Route 66 Loop Through Williams, Arizona, the only stretch of Route 66 on the National Historic Register. At the turn of the century a muddy pathway developed along the railroad tracks. Within 20 years private booster clubs linked together sections of road to form a ribbon from Chicago to the West and it was called the Old Trails National Highway.
John Steinbeck, in 1939, proclaimed Route 66 as the “Mother Road” in his classic novel The Grapes of Wrath. When the movie was made just a year later, it immortalized Route 66 in the American consciousness.
In 1926 U.S. Highway 66 was established to serve the ever increasing highway traffic. "Route 66", the Main Street of America, came right through Williams, and a great deal of tourist-related business grew up along the famous route.
The highway's heyday saw a succession of Dust Bowl migrants, World War II troops, families on vacation, and others making their way across "the mother road". But the increased traffic overwhelmed the highway and it was gradually replaced by the interstate system. In 1984, Williams became the last Route 66 town to be bypassed by the Interstate-40.
Much of Route 66 still remains as a reminder of the past, including the "loop" through Williams. Celebrating its heritage, the town of Williams recently returned Bill Williams Avenue to its original name of Route 66. This stretch of American history was awarded National Historic Register status in 1989. Williams' share of Route 66 is also home to The Route 66 Place, featuring Twister's Soda Fountain and the largest collection of Route 66 memorabilia in town.
Today you can cruise the loop on historic Route 66 in Williams, or take a leisurely stroll along the many shops and restaurants that line this legendary roadway.
Source: www.thegrandcanyon.com/HistoricRoute66.htm
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
October 13, 1984 (I wonder if it was a Friday) the last remaining stretch of Route 66 was bypassed by the opening of a six mile segment of nearby Interstate 40. But Williams lives on. It is another true Route 66 town. Williams not only survived but is at the heart of a Route 66 revival. The downtown area has been cleaned up; new streetlights, fresh paint, and sidewalks have brought the town back to life. The community takes pride in its special relationship to the Mother Road and it shows.
Williams was named for one of the most colorful of all Mountain Men, Old Bill Williams. Though it is debated whether he ever was in the area of the town and mountain that bears his name, it is a well known fact that he was "acquainted with every inch of the Far West" as he would have put it. Williams was founded in 1876 and nothing much happened here until the railroad arrived in 1882. In 1901 the Santa Fe Railroad laid tracks from Williams to the Grand Canyon and insured Williams' claim as Gateway to the Grand Canyon.
The Grand Canyon Railroad reopened in the late 1980's and started running train tours to the Grand Canyon from the beautiful Frey Marcos Harvey House and Depot which has been restored to its former grandeur. The Grand Canyon has always been a Route 66 destination though it is located 50 miles from the Mother Road. Route 66 was always the primary highway vacationers used to get there.
Route 66 souvenir shops offer every imaginable piece of memorabilia of the old road. There are plenty of fine motels and cafes that bring back the flavor of Route 66 in its hey day. Williams is a great place to stop and explore and maybe even stay a day or two if you have the time.
Cruiser's Cafe 66 on Route 66 in Williams, Arizona
After visiting the Grand Canyon, we spent an afternoon visiting Williams, Arizona and walking down the old town Route 66 admiring the vintage buildings, cafes and shops. We still didn't see it all and want to return for another visit soon. In this shot of the cafe I used Photoshop filter "Fractalius" to enhance the original photo.
INFORMATION ON CRUISER'S CAFE 66:
Cruisers Cafe 66
233 W. Route 66
Williams, AZ
Enjoy a nostalgic experience at the Cruisers Cafe 66! Just imagine your favorite 1950s-style favorite high school hangout, add in cocktail service, and you have this charming Cafe. Here you will find classic American favorites, such as good burgers, steaks, ribs, seafood, salads, and malts. Special decor touches, such as the large mural, stuffed buffalo, and historic cars out front make this a Route 66 favorite. Adults and kids alike enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and the jukebox tunes.
INFORMATION ON WILLIAMS, ARIZONA & ROUTE 66:
Relive the glory of Old Route 66 on the Route 66 Loop Through Williams, Arizona, the only stretch of Route 66 on the National Historic Register. At the turn of the century a muddy pathway developed along the railroad tracks. Within 20 years private booster clubs linked together sections of road to form a ribbon from Chicago to the West and it was called the Old Trails National Highway.
John Steinbeck, in 1939, proclaimed Route 66 as the “Mother Road” in his classic novel The Grapes of Wrath. When the movie was made just a year later, it immortalized Route 66 in the American consciousness.
In 1926 U.S. Highway 66 was established to serve the ever increasing highway traffic. "Route 66", the Main Street of America, came right through Williams, and a great deal of tourist-related business grew up along the famous route.
The highway's heyday saw a succession of Dust Bowl migrants, World War II troops, families on vacation, and others making their way across "the mother road". But the increased traffic overwhelmed the highway and it was gradually replaced by the interstate system. In 1984, Williams became the last Route 66 town to be bypassed by the Interstate-40.
Much of Route 66 still remains as a reminder of the past, including the "loop" through Williams. Celebrating its heritage, the town of Williams recently returned Bill Williams Avenue to its original name of Route 66. This stretch of American history was awarded National Historic Register status in 1989. Williams' share of Route 66 is also home to The Route 66 Place, featuring Twister's Soda Fountain and the largest collection of Route 66 memorabilia in town.
Today you can cruise the loop on historic Route 66 in Williams, or take a leisurely stroll along the many shops and restaurants that line this legendary roadway.
Source: www.thegrandcanyon.com/HistoricRoute66.htm
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
October 13, 1984 (I wonder if it was a Friday) the last remaining stretch of Route 66 was bypassed by the opening of a six mile segment of nearby Interstate 40. But Williams lives on. It is another true Route 66 town. Williams not only survived but is at the heart of a Route 66 revival. The downtown area has been cleaned up; new streetlights, fresh paint, and sidewalks have brought the town back to life. The community takes pride in its special relationship to the Mother Road and it shows.
Williams was named for one of the most colorful of all Mountain Men, Old Bill Williams. Though it is debated whether he ever was in the area of the town and mountain that bears his name, it is a well known fact that he was "acquainted with every inch of the Far West" as he would have put it. Williams was founded in 1876 and nothing much happened here until the railroad arrived in 1882. In 1901 the Santa Fe Railroad laid tracks from Williams to the Grand Canyon and insured Williams' claim as Gateway to the Grand Canyon.
The Grand Canyon Railroad reopened in the late 1980's and started running train tours to the Grand Canyon from the beautiful Frey Marcos Harvey House and Depot which has been restored to its former grandeur. The Grand Canyon has always been a Route 66 destination though it is located 50 miles from the Mother Road. Route 66 was always the primary highway vacationers used to get there.
Route 66 souvenir shops offer every imaginable piece of memorabilia of the old road. There are plenty of fine motels and cafes that bring back the flavor of Route 66 in its hey day. Williams is a great place to stop and explore and maybe even stay a day or two if you have the time.