Standin’ on the Corner Park: Winslow, Arizona
This public park and statue, which is dedicated to a popular song that embraces Americana was opened in 1999. The song that inspired the construction of the park was ‘Take it Easy’ by the Eagles, which dates back to 1972.
There is a lyric in the song above that says, “Standin’ on the Corner in Winslow, Arizona,” and the unassuming town became famous overnight. The park, which took years to create, wasn’t built without purpose, though.
Winslow used to be the most populated town in north Arizona and a top-rated stop for travelers going on Route 66. However, once I-40 was built north of Winslow, tourism took a hit, and the town fell into a somewhat dire state.
In 1999, “Standin’ on the Corner Park” solved that problem by attracting some of the tourism dollars back that had swiftly drifted out of the town. You’ll be greeted by a bronze statue’s 70s garb and a mural on a brick wall behind him.
The song seems to have breathed new life into this forgotten town.
6 thoughts on “Route 66: 8 Incredible Sights You Can’t Miss”
You missed the Wigwams in Holbrook,Az. And Meteor Crater out of Winslow.
Very interesting, and well worth the time and detours, to see some of older historic America.
ive been on every mile of old route 66 as my family moved to california from northern indiana well before I55 on I40 were started
I traveled Route 66 every summer of my life from age 12 (1949) with my Mom, Viola, and brother Tom Roberts and our dog Bootsie. We slept in inexpensive motels and an old hotel in Albuquerque, price $10 per night! What a great learning experience for us all!! We had a great fun 3 month trip, stayed in Los Cruses at the bottom of New Mexico, drove up to Santa Fe and stayed in Adobe huts. We called my Dad everynight to tell him where we landed.
We went to Indian festivals and had some very interesting experiences. One day we visited a Pueblo reservation, many Indians lived there. My Mom pointed her little Brownie Hawkeye at the old Indian chief to take his picture and he started chasing us, yelling at all the other Indians to chase us. We RAN for our 1949 Pontiac!! jumped in and took off. We found out he thought the camera would steal his soul! He was probably born in the 1890’s!
We drove over that bridge in our 1949 Pontiac, in 1949! We drove Route 66 every summer for 4 years. What fabulous memories.
My mom, grandma, sister and I traveled route 66 from Chicago to Monrovia, CA in 1943 when my dad was in the Army, stationed at Santa Anita race track in Pasadena, at that time an Army supply depot. My fondest memories of that trip are of lunches in little Route 66 cafes, where I would always eat a hamburger, along with a chocolate milk shake. Great memories still (at 87).