Old Route 66 (Flagstaff, Williams, Ash Fork: motel, investor, businesses)

[carecare7]

Does anyone know if there will ever be plans to resurface the old Route 66 stretch between Ash Fork and Williams? The one between Ash Fork and Seligman is well paved and there is a good stretch between Williams and Flagstaff but the one that is between Ash Fork and Williams is said to be in very bad shape. I wondered if anyone has heard anything about plans to rejuvinate Route 66 more? We just drove the good stretches and it was really nice to relax and just see the scenery without the interstate traffic and stuff.

[exlexisnexis]

There was an article in USA today about old Rt 66.
Route 66 motels stamped historic
Neon-lit motels along Route 66, once considered tacky, have now been officially stamped as historic landmarks.
The mom-and-pop motels along the two-lane highway through the Southwest are among 11 sites added to the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Naming a site historic does not give it any official protection, says Richard Moe, president of the trust.

"The list is intended to dramatize the different kinds of threats to different kinds of places in American history," Moe says. Without preservation, "We lose our heritage."

Among the designated sites:

[exlexisnexis]

I truly believe Rt 66 will be rejuvinated but not until you have more sites for people to visit in North AZ,the Williams Theme park would be a good start.

[exlexisnexis]

I just read where county officials got permission from Burma Shave to put up Burma Shave signs on rt 66,apparently they uused to be all over 66 and they want to bring back the memories,this is a great first step towards a renewed interst in Rt 66.


Richard

[rambrush]

So thats why I saw a huge increase in the signs the other day.
As for the up date the old section from Ashfork to Williams have you driven it lately? There are sections you can fly on they there are sections of my goodness flying through the air events. These are the only ways into Steel Dam and Stone Dam lakes for me.
Plus it is not continous from Ashfork to williams just like from Crookton road to ashfork its there but can't get there from here thing.

[LordBalfor]

Yeah, the stretch west of Oatman is really bad too. It's actually deteriorated along the edges so much that it hardly seemed like a 2-land road any more along some parts. Pretty abandoned-looking.
Sad.

Ken

[exlexisnexis]

I hope the request that the permission to use the Burma Shave signs was part of much larger plan to bring back rt 66.I cannot imagine that some smart investors or businesses will not see the potential of having a presence on Rt 66.


Richard

[Bummer]

Originally Posted by exlexisnexis

I hope the request that the permission to use the Burma Shave signs was part of much larger plan to bring back rt 66.I cannot imagine that some smart investors or businesses will not see the potential of having a presence on Rt 66.


Richard

I agree, Exlesisnexis

A few years ago, I drove the entire length (well, almost the entire length) of Route 66 and it was entertaining as well as educational.

My primary concern . . . the "smart investors" will get carried away and ruin it with too much plastic and bling.

[kdog]

Originally Posted by LordBalfor

Yeah, the stretch west of Oatman is really bad too. It's actually deteriorated along the edges so much that it hardly seemed like a 2-land road any more along some parts. Pretty abandoned-looking.
Sad.

Ken

West of Oatman? Are you sure you don't mean east of Oatman, through the mountains? That's in poor shape. Once you get through Oatman, the road goes south-southwest, down through Golden Shores. That road is in fine shape by comparison.

[rambrush]

I drove the Oatman road a couple of months ago and from Golden Shores up it is getting worse. then the mountain section is so narrow it takes a lot of abuse. So yes it all needs a extreme makeover.
If in Ashfork don't forget the historical society there has a great visitors center to check out old things along rt 66.