A number of Route 66 landmarks recently have been decorated for the Christmas holiday. First, the Blue Whale in Catoosa, Oklahoma, held its annual "lights on" ceremony on Sunday night. As these photos from Oklahoma Route 66 Association President Rhys Martin shows, not only was the whale lighted, but so was the nearby ark. In … Continue reading Scenes of Christmas decor along Route 66
Tag: Williams
Home movie footage from 1977 shows Fort Courage and Flintstones Bedrock City in Arizona
Steve Palmer recently posted online some film footage taken during a family vacation in 1977. It shows Fort Courage in Houck, Arizona, and Bedrock City north of Williams, Arizona. https://youtu.be/KaYmXc7EmSU Fort Courage has been abandoned for years and is deteriorating to the elements and vandals. According to Atlas Obscura, Fort Courage was built in the … Continue reading Home movie footage from 1977 shows Fort Courage and Flintstones Bedrock City in Arizona
Canyon Coaster Adventure Park’s mountain coaster opens in Route 66 town of Williams
Arizona's first mountain coaster has opened at Canyon Coaster Adventure Park in the classic Route 66 town of Williams, Arizona. Mountain coasters are somewhat like roller coasters, except the individual rider has the option to control his or her speed on the descent. The Williams park's coaster also contains an automatic braking system. Fox10 in … Continue reading Canyon Coaster Adventure Park’s mountain coaster opens in Route 66 town of Williams
Backland luxury campground plans to open southeast of Williams in June
Backland, a luxury campground and eco-lodging establishment known for tented suites, plans to open southeast of the Route 66 town of Williams, Arizona, in late June. According to a news release from the company: The team at Backland announced that reservations for stays from July 28, 2022, onwards, are now available. The eco-resort is anticipating opening for … Continue reading Backland luxury campground plans to open southeast of Williams in June
Canyon Coaster Adventure Park planned on the east side of Williams
The city council of Williams, Arizona, today will hold a public hearing regarding a planned Canyon Coaster Adventure Park on 20 acres on the east side of the city. The city's zoning and planning commission unanimously approved the rezoning needed for the development, which means the family amusement park probably is a done deal at … Continue reading Canyon Coaster Adventure Park planned on the east side of Williams
Williams panel creates a guide to help businesses retain Route 66 heritage
The Williams Historic Preservation Commission of Williams, Arizona, has created a design guide to help businesses preserve the historic integrity of its Route 66 corridor. The city council last month approved the 60-page "Williams Historic Business District Design Guide," which provides details of how business owners can maintain Route 66 architecture. The Williams-Grand Canyon News … Continue reading Williams panel creates a guide to help businesses retain Route 66 heritage
Bearizona to build a large enclosure for three orphaned grizzly bear cubs
Bearizona, a wildlife park situated just off Route 66 in Williams, Arizona, announced this week it will build an elaborate and large enclosure for three grizzly bear cubs that were orphaned in April in Montana. Bearizona will take in the three cubs sometime next month. They were orphaned after their mother was euthanized by the … Continue reading Bearizona to build a large enclosure for three orphaned grizzly bear cubs
Grand Canyon closes after resident tests positive for coronavirus
Grand Canyon National Park closed indefinitely Wednesday after a resident there tested positive for coronavirus as part of a pandemic that has infected more than 216,000 people in the U.S. as of that evening. The national park in northern Arizona was under pressure for days from local and federal health officials to close. It gave … Continue reading Grand Canyon closes after resident tests positive for coronavirus
Grand Canyon Railway marks 30th year, helped revitalize Williams
The Grand Canyon Railway recently marked its 30th anniversary, and it helped revive the Route 66 town of Williams, Arizona, after it was bypassed by Interstate 40. The Williams News posted an excellent overview of the railway, which carries passengers from Williams to the south rim of Grand Canyon National Park, and its impact on … Continue reading Grand Canyon Railway marks 30th year, helped revitalize Williams
Grand Canyon Deer Farm near Williams marks 50th year this week
The Grand Canyon Deer Farm animal sanctuary off old Route 66 near Williams, Arizona, celebrates its 50th year this week -- on Thursday, to be exact. Russell Hamilton founded the Deer Farm on Aug. 15, 1969, but Randy and Pat George are the longest-tenured owners, having run it since 1987, according to an article in … Continue reading Grand Canyon Deer Farm near Williams marks 50th year this week