Monday, November 7, 2016

Winslow, AZ: More than Standin' on the Corner

October 1-12, 2016
I spent almost 2 weeks at the free McHood Park, so I got to know Winslow, AZ pretty well. It was a stop on the old Route 66.
It is perhaps most famous for this corner, made famous by the 1970s song, "Taking it Easy," in which the line, "Standin' on the corner, in Winslow, Arizona," is featured.

So now, tourists always get their photo taken at the corner. I was no different.
It was not planned, but I was fortunate enough to arrive on the weekend of their annual classic car show.
It was a fun day, seeing all the old cars.

I think this was my favorite, a 1924 Dodge Phaeton.
The VW bus was nice too, with surf boards on top and a bike in front.
This one has a rumble seat.
Lots of people were standing' on the corner that day.
In the park there was a pre-school cardboard classic car show going on.
So cute!
Drag racers
Everything was polished to a high sheen.
Some people dressed in 1950's attire.
Skeleton crew
Motorcycle tricks
While I was there, my friend Ginger came to visit for a few days. We followed the Winslow Heritage Trail which uses Burma Shave-type signs to tell the town's history.
The old Winslow train station.
A Peter Toth statue honors Arizona's original citizens.
The original Hubbell Trading Post is now the Visitor Center.
Old Hubbell Trading Post
La Posada Hotel was designed by Mary Colter, who also designed many historic buildings at the Grand canyon.
Built on the site of the old railroad round house, these pavers preserve that history.
Today's front was once the rear. The original front opened onto the railroad tracks, where passengers disembarked at the hotel.
Entrance hall in 1930.
Entrance hall today.
Another friend, Barbie, stopped on her way through Winslow. We toured part of the hotel too.
Inside the Posada.
The hotel restaurant, one of several built by Fred Harvey along the Santa Fe Railway in the Southwest, was staffed by the famous Harvey Girls. This painting is entitled, "The Last Harvey Girl." These were two original Harvey Girls that the artist found living in nearby desert towns.
The gardens outside the hotel. Note the corn growing.
Roses and corn
A mermaid
Me and Ginger
This was the original entrance from the train stop.
The train tracks are just outside the gate.
Ginger and I walked the grounds.
A maze made from bales of hay.
An old gate
The museum in Winslow was worth a visit. We learned some interesting stories about the Harvey Girls and other things.
Like this Harvey Girl who later became a cattle rustler.
Inside the museum that was once a bank. The original vault and marble counter can be seen.
There were many other colorful tales to read about in Winslow, but this post is long enough. You'll have to come explore on your own.