No alcohol or drugs of any kind were consumed before the title of today’s post was written. In fact it is an honest evaluation of the past few days, and the week to come.
This morning some long overdue rain showers swept through Kingman, along with a couple of snow flurries. This was just a few days after I began servicing the “swamp” cooler on a beautiful 85-degree afternoon. The storms come mere days before the beginning of May, and what the weather service is predicting will be our first 90-degree day.
When the week started I had a relatively light schedule for at least ten days that included an array of Route 66 Fun Run related activities that would be shared with friends this weekend. The weekly marketing meeting with the management at Ramada Kingman, a press conference that accompanied the lighting of the new Beale Celebrations neon sign, and serving as a guide for Peter Campbell McBride of the UK Route 66 Association, and the creation of some new dispatches for the free subscription service Updates From Jim Hinckley’s America were also on that schedule.
Somewhere between Monday morning and today, the slow pace of the week was kicked into high gear and dropped into overdrive.
Near the summit of cloud shrouded Olympus where my publishers reside, the decision was made to fast track my latest book. So, on Tuesday morning I received the manuscript via email with a respectful request to, if at all possible, complete evaluation of the edited work on or before May 10.
Meanwhile, somewhere in the shadowed land of conspiracies, the editors assigned to work on the revised edition of Backroads of Arizona completed their work, and forwarded the manuscript with a nice little note asking that, if possible, I complete evaluation and write a few additional captions before May 7.
Then there was a long list of projects with time sensitive deadlines that required immediate attention, unless I could address them sooner, that came out of the Ramada marketing meeting.
Meanwhile, the report on Kingman developments that is to be presented at the Route 66 economic development symposium in Barstow on May 13th is far from being complete. Likewise with the PowerPoint presentation for the event at Grand Canyon Caverns, and at the Route 66 Festival in Holbrook.
As the snowball began picking up speed on its downward decent, amazingly the news that the city of Kingman was funding expenses for attendance of the European Route 66 Festival in Germany was spread far and wide; more than a dozen newspapers at last count as well as radio programs in Tucumcari and television reports in Phoenix and Chicago. In turn this led to a number of requests for interviews about the pending trip, the international interest in Route 66, and the city of Kingman’s initiatives for harnessing the resurgent interest in Route 66 as a catalyst for development.
Meanwhile, I fielded an increasing number of requests pertaining to my availability to make a presentation, my Armchair Tour of Route 66, a virtual tour of this storied old highway from Chicago to Santa Monica, and through time. If I can confirm a few of these it will be a most exciting season filled with travel in late summer and into the fall.
As all of this was taking place, in the land where time seemed to stand still and in the historic district it was always half past midnight, a strong, passionate, and visionary city government severed the restraints and in the blink of eye it appeared as though twenty years of progress was made in mere weeks.
In addition to the new signage at Beale Celebrations, a neon sign was added to the world famous Mr. D’z Route 66 Diner, Beale Street Brews coffee shop opened, and the investors behind the Beale Celebrations project announced the purchase of several additional buildings in the historic business district. The Route 66 Association of Kingman working with Legacy Signs began funding creation of new signage for thrift stores and non-profits. The announcement was made that several additional neon signs would be added to the streetscape in coming weeks. A number of new businesses have opened, and others are scheduled to open in mere weeks. As I try to cover developments in the Kingman area all of this kept me quite busy, very distracted, and extremely excited.
So, as you can see, the title for this post is rather fitting, as strange as it may seem.
Now in its 29th year, the event does more than transform 160 scenic miles of this storied old road into a living time capsule. It provides enthusiasts from throughout the world with an opportunity to experience the old road as it was with a crush of traffic sharing the narrow highway and filling cafes, and as it is in the era of renaissance.
Indications are that this might be the biggest and best fun run to date. In addition to the wide array of activities in Seligman on Friday, the cruise to Kingman (more than 800 classic vehicles are expected, as well as a fleet of rental cars since tour groups from New Zealand and Australia will also be participating) on Saturday morning, and the car show on Saturday afternoon, there will be a number of intertwined opportunities to ensure that this is a most memorable weekend.
I hope to see you there! A quick list of activities includes –
Tours at Grand Canyon Caverns –
Traditional Hualapai dances at the cultural center in Peach Springs –
Keepers of the Wild wildlife park –
An award winning Route 66 museum, and the world’s only electric vehicle museum –
A craft beer festival at the House of Hops in the historic Kingman Club on Saturday from 11:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. –
Viewing of the Ramada Kingman Route photo exhibition –
Jess McEntire performing at the historic El Trovatore Motel for Monica’s birthday on Saturday evening –
A dinner and show at Ramada Kingman –
No cover charge for an evening of entertainment by Hell Camino at Black Bridge Brewery that commences at 8:00 P.M. –
In every sense of the word, the international association of Route 66 enthusiasts is truly a community. As an example, this weekend passionate fans of the double six, some traveling for hundreds of miles, (Toshi Goto of the Japanese Route 66 Association was in attendance) gathered along the Gasconade River in the Ozark Mountains of Missouri to rally in support of the historic Gasconade Bridge that is currently closed.
This evening they will gather at the Munger Moss Motel in Lebanon to celebrate the 45th anniversary of Bob and Ramona’s ownership of this landmark, and to say thank you for their many contributions to the Route 66 community.
A few of the whimsical murals at Ramada Kingman.
My dearest friend and I had planned to attend the festivities but resultant of scheduling conflicts it wasn’t possible. So a congratulatory phone call to Bob and Ramona, and the photos of the historic event being posted on Facebook had to suffice.
One of the items that prevented our attendance was this evenings reception that will accompany the unveiling of the Route 66 photo exhibition at Ramada Kingman. This kicks off a week long public viewing as well as voting for submissions that will culminate next week during the Saturday evening dinner during the Route 66 Fun Run when the winners are announced.
It seems an appropriate way for us to close out a grueling but exciting week, and to prepare for an even more adventuresome week to come.
The dominate theme for this past week was meetings. This includes the always enjoyable Route 66 Association of Kingman monthly meet and greet. This month it took place at the House of Hops, the former Kingman Club.
To fill the void between demolition of the building next door, and the construction of a new facility that will dramatically expand the brewery, the owners have created a delightfully tacky temporary courtyard, ideal for enjoying craft beer, stimulating conversation, and warm desert breezes. In retrospect this was was an appropriately symbolic location for the gathering.
Artist rendering of the Beale Celebrations building.
At every turn there is ample evidence that the cities historic business district is experiencing a rather dramatic and exciting rebirth. This past week a former bank building reopened as Beale Street Brews, the building permit for the Garlic Clove event center in a long closed office complex that served as a dry cleaner more than fifty years ago received approval. In spite of a few setbacks, the Floyd and Company wood fired pizza restaurant adjoining the barbecue restaurant moved closer to completion.
Within the next two weeks the dramatic facade transformation at Beale Celebrations (originally a J.C. Penny’s that opened in the 1950’s) including neon trim and signage will be complete.
This weekend, depending on winds and any unforeseen issues, a refurbished historic neon sign will be added to Mr. D’z Route 66 Diner. Rest assured, photos will be posted.
This dramatic transition isn’t limited to the historic business district as the entire Route 66 corridor seems to be coming to life. As examples, the beautiful new patio at Rutherford’s Route 66 Family Diner is nearing completion, and Ramada Kingman is moving forward with plans at a rather steady clip.
In spite of these and many other successes, a bit of knee jerk journalism coupled with short cuts on research has created a bit of a stir in Kingman as well as with Route 66 enthusiasts.
I can attest, even though the renaissance of the area has been a very long time coming it is here and it is picking up steam.
Yes, there are a number of the old buildings that are now in such deplorable condition it is no longer economically feasible to renovate. All that is left is demolition and new construction with facades that mimic the historic streetscape.
However, attesting to the renewed interest in the area is the fact that people are willing to invest in these derelict buildings, and invest in the future. Since the first of the year several of the most decrepit buildings have been purchased, and one investor has actually purchased several.
Meetings related to this ongoing transformation, and maintaining progress, dominated the week. However, there were also interviews, a bit of consultation work for a Quebec television station that is about to film a Route 66 documentary, some promotional work for Grand Canyon cavers as well as Ramada Kingman, scheduling interviews for the coming week and presentations for the rest of the year( a full schedule will be posted upon confirmation), and honing the free subscription service Updates From Jim Hinckley’s America.
Time for urban renewal.
This coming week will be even more exciting and, amazingly, even busier. In addition to more meetings and interviews, and finalizing reservations as well as plans for attendance of the first European Route 66 Festival in Germany, I will be serving as an area guide for Peter Campbell McBride of the UK Route 66 Association and his sons, and then we will be having dinner with friends Kevin and Nancy Mueller, the proprietors of the legendary Blue swallow Motel.
This will be followed by the 29th annual Route 66 Fun Run, always a fun filled weekend, even the year that we had snow flurries.
With few exceptions, my son and I have always participated in the cruise from Seligman, and enjoyed the festivities in Kingman. It looks as though we will be continuing with this tradition.
Recently a series of new traditions were added; dinner and or breakfast with friends, and visiting with Dale Butel’s spring tour from Australia. This year we will take those traditions to a new level with dinner and a show at Ramada Kingman shared with friends,
and then breakfast on the new patio at Rutherford’s.
The only thing that will make the weekend better is if you can join us. See you there?
The last couple of weeks have been bracketed with opportunities to meet with interesting and inspirational people. One was an opportunity to experience a bit of time travel, the other was a brief glimpse into the future of Route 66. In between were more opportunities for contributing to the dramatic transition that is sweeping the historic district in Kingman.
On Thursday evening my dearest friend and I met with the legendary Lon Haldeman, and then shared dinner and fascinating conversation with his PAC Tour that was traveling Route 66 from Santa Monica to Amarillo by bicycle, and I made a presentation about Route 66 in western Arizona. For those unfamiliar with Haldeman, he pioneered ultra marathon cycling setting a wide array of records including 454-miles in twenty-four hours, and a double transcontinental time of twenty-four days and two hours.
This is the second opportunity I have had to meet with his tour during an overnight stop in Kingman. I am always left in awe of these folks and am never sure whether to be inspired or depressed by them.
The evening that we met with the group, they had just ridden their bicycles from Needles to Kingman via Oatman. The day prior they had ridden from Ludlow to Needles through Goffs, 109-miles. The youngest member of the group was 51-years old, the oldest was 81, and there were several people in their late 60’s and mid 70’s.
The week prior I was privileged with a very rare opportunity to experience a bit of time travel by traveling to Oatman with Scott and Roy Dunton.
At age eighteen, Roy went to work at his uncles garage in Goldroad in 1939, and then at Dunton Motors in Kingman immediately after World War II. As a side note, Roy’s uncle, N.R. Dunton, built Cool Springs in 1926.
Roy and Scott Dunton at Dunton Motors.
Roy was severely injured when a split rim tire assembly exploded in his face at the garage but he recovered, served in the Navy during World War II, and eventually acquired Dunton Motors.
Initially it was a Ford dealership, then Edsel, and latter a full line GM facility. Today the complex managed by his son Scott sells and restores classic vehicles, and builds a few hot rods. His voice is a bit weak, and there is an obvious frailty but Roy still comes to work several days a week and shares stories with people who stop to photograph or purchase vehicles.
In the now classic book by Jack Rittenhouse published in 1946, A Guide Book to Highway 66, the Dunton Garage in Goldroad is not mentioned by name. It is simply referred to in the passage, “For eastbound cars which cannot make the Gold Hill grade, a filling station in Goldroad offers a tow truck which will haul your car to the summit. At last inquiry their charge was $3.50, but may be higher. Cars with trailers may need the service.” Roy often drove that tow truck.
Roy Dunton at Ed’s Camp.
I have driven this old road for decades. In fact, this area and the pre 1952 alignment of Route 66 across the Sacramento Valley and through the Black Mountains is where I learned to drive, to ride a bicycle, and where I first fell in love with the raw beauty of the Arizona desert.
Even though I had a tremendous opportunity to hear a bit about the areas history while briefly employed by Ed Edgerton at Ed’s Camp, at that time I was much to young to appreciate it. So, the trip with Roy was a very rare treat.
Last evening Chillin on Beale, 2016, kicked off with a bang in spite of cool temperatures and a brisk wind. Having spent a bit of time in those nasty “M” places (Michigan, Minnesota) where snow is shoveled off the deck for a barbecue in zero degree temperatures, I am amused by folks in Arizona who bundle up with sweaters, jackets, and scarfs when temperatures plummet to sixty. It should be noted that I was wearing long johns and a flannel shirt last evening.
Ray Cullison showed a classic film (thank you Ray) on the wall of the Hotel Beale at the corner of Fourth Street and Andy Devine Avenue, the Route 66 Association of Kingman’s Cinema Under the Stars, and colorful hot rods and vintage cars lined the street. The place was really hopping, the sidewalk cafes were busy, and the micro breweries were doing a bang up business.
Chillin’ on Beale takes place on the third Saturday evening of each month, April through October. Ramada Kingman is now offering special packages for Chillin’ on Beale weekends that includes special room discounts, free breakfasts, and tickets to Grand Canyon Caverns.
If you would like more information about this event, developments in Kingman, or just want to experience a bit of the vibrant atmosphere that is sweeping the historic district, the Route 66 Association of Kingman is hosting their monthly meet and greet at House of Hops, 6:00 P.M., April 21. Open to the public this is a great opportunity to network and get inspired.
Scheduled for the weekend of April 30 is the 29th annual Route 66 Fun Run, a great way to celebrate the 90th anniversary of Route 66. This exciting and fun filled three day event transforms Route 66 into a living time capsule from the pre interstate highway era.
There are actual traffic jams in Seligman and Kingman as the highway is filled with hot rods, vintage cars and trucks cruising 160-miles of scenic Route 66. In Seligman, Peach Springs, Oatman, Valentine, Hackberry, as well as at Antares Point (Giganticus Headicus), Valley Vista, Golden Shores, and Grand Canyon Caverns, crowds gather for special events and live music.
Restaurants and diners, museums and gift shops are bustling as thousands of enthusiasts from throughout the world gather to celebrate the Route 66 experience. Kingman, especially on Saturday, is ground zero for this amazing event and once again Route 66 serves as the cities main street.
Ramada Kingman and Canyon 66 is inviting folks to stop by between April 23 and April 30, see the photos submitted for the Route 66 photo contest that will be a part of the permanent Route 66 photo display, and vote for their favorites. Winning submissions will be selected during the dinner and show on the evening of April 30, the weekend of the 29th annual Route 66 Fun Run.
The good times roll in Kingman! I hope that you will be able to join us for one or more of these events and discover why Kingman is promoted as the heart of historic Route 66.
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