Old Route 66 in Arizona:

Kingman to Topock

Cool Springs

Position mouse cursor over this image to see historic photo circa 1939. Move mouse cursor off image to see my 2008 photo.

Cool Springs Camp was born in 1927, on the last level stretch of Route 66 before it climbed to Sitgreaves Pass in the Black Mountains. The camp grew to include a gas station, garage, restaurant, bar, and guest cabins. This stretch of highway was bypassed by the Interstate in 1952; the camp closed in 1964.

Eventually all that was left standing of Cool Springs was the two front pillars of the gas station. The building was restored by Ned Leuchtner in 2001, and now houses a Route 66 museum and gift shop. The other buildings are currently in the process of being rebuilt.
Restored gas pumps face the highway.
See the USA in a Chevrolet.

Ed's Camp

Position mouse cursor over this image to see historic photo circa 1947. Move mouse cursor off image to see my 2008 photo.

Ed's Camp was founded by Lowell "Ed" Edgerton in the late 1930's as a watering stop at the beginning of the steep grade to Sitgreaves Pass, and grew through the 1940's to include a gas station, trailer camp and grocery store. Edgerton passed away in 1978; today the ruins of Ed's Camp remain, but are posted against trespassers.

Oatman

Wild burros make themselves at home on the streets of Oatman.
You can buy a bag of carrots to feed the burros.
Golden burro statue.
The Oatman Hotel.
Waiting for a haircut in the lobby of the Oatman Hotel.
The Clark Gable - Carole Lombard honeymoon suite in the Oatman Hotel.
The gunfighters of Oatman raise money for charity.
Showdown on Oatman's main street.

Topock

The stretch of Route 66 between McConnico and Golden Shores has been designated a National Back Country Byway by the Bureau of Land Management .
The end of Route 66 in Arizona: the Colorado River at Topock. At this point, Dust Bowl migrants rejoiced that they had finally reached California. This was the original auto bridge over the Colorado River; now it carries a pipeline.

This marks the end of our journey on Old Route 66 in Arizona. I hope you had a great trip!