A few days ago Route 66 News, my primary source for current information about places, people, and events on Route 66, posted a fascinating video showing an often overlooked alignment of Route 66 near Kingman. This inspired me to provide more information about this unique chapter in the history of Route 66.
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| From The Road Less Traveled |
In this first photo, taken just west of Kingman from the current alignment of Route 66 dating to the late 1930s, we can see the original alignment on the opposite side of the canyon below the railroad tracks. This was also the National Old Trails Highway.
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| From ROUTE 66 CHRONICLES |
This view is at the western end of the canyon. The railroad trestle in the background is seen in the circa 1920 photo that appears on page 82 of Michael Witzel’s Legendary Route 66http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=1968adventurer&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0760329788&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr. The road that passes under the trestle leads into a canyon that once served as the city dump for Kingman.
This and the city waste water treatment facility nestled in the canyon between the two alignments of Route 66 ensured the roadway was well maintained. A short distance to the west of the location in this photo the highway ends at an abandoned racing facility.
The highway originally crossed the tracks in this area. To the north of the railroad tracks a small trailer court now huddles along the roadway.
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| From Route 66 Chronicles |
This view is facing west on the original alignment of the highway that was also the National Old Trails Highway. For those familiar with Route 66 in this part of Arizona this is just to the east of Crazy Fred’s Truck Stop on the ridge behind Dan’s Auto Salvage, a former Whiting Brothers station.
The ruins of a gas station and garage are at this location. Bulldog Recycling now owns the property and this section of roadway is no longer accesible.
The photo below is from the same location facing east into the canyon. As a footnote this would also be the route utilized in the 1914 Desert Classic “Cactus Derby” race featuring Louis Chevrolet, Barney Oldfield, and other famous drivers.
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| From Route 66 Chronicles |
This photo was taken from Route 66, immediately west of Kingman. On the opposite side of the canyon, passing under the railroad trestle, is the National Old Trails Highway and original alignment of Route 66.
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| From Route 66 Chronicles |
In this photo we are looking east into the mouth of the canyon. This is shortly before roads end. The trestle is the one seen on page 82 of Legendary Route 66.
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| From Route 66 Chronicles |
Finding this old section of the highway is quite easy. For west bound travelers on Route 66 (Andy Devine Avenue) in Kingman turn left on Fourth Street at the railroad depot.
Follow this street several blocks and around the gentle right hand curve across a narrow bridge opposite the park. The view below is from a point just a few hundred yards from the Kingman city limits.
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| From Route 66 Chronicles |
Trivia and travel tips, what a great way to end a week!
As a final foot note the railroad spur, now discontinued, that crosses Route 66 and I40, immediately to the east of Crazy Fred’s Truck Stop, once connected the mining town of Chloride with the main line at McConnico. Today Chloride rates high on my list of great Route 66 detours.
It is about 20 miles north of Kingman just off of U.S. 93. When visiting I suggest lunch at Yesterday’s, the only cafe in town, and seeking out the old railroad depot.
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