Conway, Missouri-today a sleepy little town, but it was not always so.  Conway was already a busy rail shipping point for much of the local areas produce when the fledgling highway known as 66 came on through.  And right there from the get-go was Wilkerson Ford.  Check out this undated photograph showing Mr. Wilkerson along with some of the other movers and shakers from around town standing in front of his (then) new building!  A cornerstone still in place identifies the date of construction as 1926-the same as our highway!  Well today, the Wilkerson Ford building is still there...even if the trees in front of it are not and it serves a vital function-as Conway's' Senior activity center. 
Author's note:  Historical photo is from this great website: History of Conway.   

     About a paltry 800 miles or so further west lies one of nature's quirky little enigma's: Santa Rosa's Blue Hole spring.  This unmarked postcard hails from the linen era which puts it probably in the 1930's or 40's.  With a natural output of 3000 gallons per minute, the Blue Hole has been a favorite local hangout and swimming hole for years and also provided a surprising reprieve to many a 66 roadie.  Today, the Hole continues to pleasure travelers from around the globe.  For example, the day I went through, in addition to these divers, a family of Germans was taking a break from the Desert and having a great time tossing each other in.  The water looked and felt incredible.  

     Also in New Mexico, but west of Albuquerque lies another famous 66 landmark: Owl Rock.  Near the little village of Mesita, the Owl has been standing watch since time immemorial-to man that is.  This unmarked linen postcard is a view looking to the west.  Compare that 30's/40's era card to my photo taken in 2003.  Our buddy appears virtually unchanged-unfazed by the trials and tribulations of modern life, while it's easy to see where I-40 overlaid 66 in the distance.  It's hard for us puny little people to imagine the scale of geologic time.  Suffice it to say that the Owl will probably still be recognizable to folks long after these same folks don't need cars and highways anymore!

     According to the water tower by the Powerhouse Museum, Kingman is the "Heart of Historic Route 66".  Kingman has indeed, been an integral part of 66 since the very beginning.  A last chance to stock up on supplies and radiator water before the steep ascent over Sitgrieve's Pass, Kingman had all the amenities needed for the early motorist.  Though anchored by the Brunswick and Beale Hotels along with the Santa Fe Depot, downtown Kingman looks similar, but markedly different than it did 50 years ago.  Need proof?  Take a look at this 1961 postcard showing a lively 66 main street going through a busy downtown area possessing all traveler amenities.  Drug stores,  cafes, tire stores etc. abound.  Now take a look at this photo taken in the early summer of 2003.  Though the Brunswick, Beale and the Depot are still there, the stores and cafes are not.  Indeed, even the Brunswick Hotel is for sale.  Things do not appear rosy in downtown Kingman. 

  A 'What Was' tribute:  

     Sometime in late 2002/early 2003, the life and death cycle of business along the Route once again reared its ugly head.  I regret to inform you, the inquisitive roadie, that the Avalon Restaurant and Bar in downtown Albuquerque along with it's fantastic neon cowboy has bit the bullet and is no more.  The tin shell of the sign remains, but the new establishment has removed the neon glass and painted on a new name (The Coliseum).  I do not know how long the Avalon had been there, or even if it hails from a true 'vintage 66' era, but regardless, neon monikers like that are becoming a true rarity,

Continue your 66 journey by choosing your favorite 66 state to jump to!