Williams, Arizona on Route 66

One of a couple of signs at the eastern end of Williams, this one celebrating the Route 66 centennial, which is this year.

Williams is a decent sized town of 3,200 people and lots and lots of hotels. It also is where the Grand Canyon Railway starts, allowing you to take a day trip to the Grand Canyon. Of note, Williams was the last place on Route 66 that was bypassed by Interstate 40. (Williams on Wikipedia)

Bearizona

There's bears, its in Arizona, what more could you want. Oh, you want bear cubs climbing a tree? The sign has that too.

 Just to the right of the sign are a couple of vestigial remnants of Rt-66, and, if you continue down past the Bearizona entrance the road becomes E. Mountain Man Trail, which was Rt 66 from 1926-1931.

Grand Canyon Railway

 A train on the Grand Canyon Railway departing for the Grand Canyon.  Most days there is a single train in the morning that returns in the late afternoon, but some days there is a second morning train.  This was the second one of the day.  They also occasionally have a steam engine pulling the train.

Welcome to Williams mural
Williams is proud of their train, and having Historic Route 66, and, being Williams.  This mural is on the side of a concrete wall in downtown. 

Bosca's Collectibles and stuff

Route 66 had a lot of gas stations, and Williams did too. This is one of many that have been converted in to gift shops.  In a former life it was a Chevron station with the pumps under the canopy in front. The service garage is at an angle, which is unusual. 

Goldie's Betty Boop

Betty Boop is a popular character along the route. This one is on roller skates and is carrying a tray with a burger and a milkshake on it.  It is outside of Goldie's Route 66 Diner, which is located in a former Denny's with an interesting "Boomerang" roof line.

Eastbound Route 66

 Through town, Route 66 runs over two roads, one way each direction.  The one closer to the train tracks goes east to west, and the next block over, this road runs west to east.  There was a fair bit of traffic on the road, but it was clear in this area. On the right is Rod's Steak House with a tastey looking cow sign and on the left is the currently closed Grand Motel.  Lots of other motels as you go down the road.

Native America
This store has the porch roof supported by carvings of people and animals. 

Arizona 9 Motor Hotel

Back from before the time everyone standardized on Motel as a contraction of "Motor Hotel", this place spelled it out.  The sign looks vaguely like a human holding the "Motor Hotel" part with the "9" being the head and the "Arizona" being the shoulders.

Mountain Man Mercantile Outdoor Store
I don't know the original occupants of this building, but it has a neat shape and there's a fishing mural on the side.

Canyon Club

Poozeum 

The Poozeum, with a sign that has a T-Rex on the loo.  The focus is Coprolites, whichis fossilized dinosaur dung.

Poozeum font entrance


 The Poozeum front entrance (I don't know if there is a rear exit/entrance), more treat stuff on the windows, advertising "#1 for fossilized #2" and "World's Largest Coprolite".

Next stop: Bellemont, Arizona; Prior stop: Crookton Overpass, Arizona.  You can see all my Route 66 posts here.  

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