Echoes of the Southwest

Not far from Twin Arrows along I-40 (historic Route 66) and 30 miles east of Flagstaff, sits an eerie ghost town called Two Guns. This tiny place was a popular location for travelers to stop by because it had everything they needed for their journeys. The person who had the earliest business there was Ed Randolph. He built his store near where the Apache Death Cave (my next post) is located. In 1922, he sold 320 acres to a couple would construct a store, restaurant and gas pumps. Three years later, a man named Harry Miller rented some of the land from the couple. He saw the potential to exploit the location and the gorgeous Canyon Diablo scenery for his business ideas. Alongside the canyon he constructed a zoo with mountain lions, cougars, Gila monsters, snakes, birds and a lynx. He added a restaurant and Indian gift shop where he sold relics from the Apache Death Cave. For all who were interested and for a small charge, he would offer tours of the cave and present drinks ...

Along Route 66 and just outside of Flagstaff, sits an abandoned site known as Twin Arrows. Sometime in the 1880s, a road for wagons was charted between Flagstaff and Winslow. A railway track was constructed for the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad along the north side of the National Old Trails which ultimately became US 66 (Route 66). It was in 1926 when the highway was officially recognized as US 66. Many people, who moved out west in the 1930s during the Dust Bowl, used this thoroughfare as a means to get to their destination. A few small communities where built along Route 66 which help to sustain their way of life. Twin Arrows was one of those settlements that thrived. It had a trading post which was originally known as Canyon Padre Trading Post. For some reason the diner and store didn’t do well until the owner changed the name to Twin Arrows Trading Post. They added two 25 foot enormous arrows so those driving by would not miss his place and it worked. Business was boomi...

In a week from today, Sharon and I will embark on a 5 day, 4 night road trip along some of Arizona's Route 66 path. Our journey will start in Flagstaff where we will visit historic sites and stay the night at a known haunted hotel. We booked a room that has reports of an old lady rocking in the chair by many witnesses. I will definitely have my video camera running that night. We plan to have drinks in the hotel's bar which has its own tales of ghosts roaming around. I hope they are in the mood to let us know they are there. The next day we will head out towards Winslow, you know the city in that song with the line, "standing on the corner in Winslow, Arizona". Along the way, there are lots to see. On Google Earth, Sharon found abandoned towns, and historic sites where weird creatures have been seen. We will stop at the meteor crater to take videos and photos. Sharon will be doing FB live along the way. The drive to the meteor crater is very eerie. Th...

I always love it when I discover unusual things about Arizona and its surrounding states.   I was watching a show about abandoned places and structures on the Science channel.   They noted the history of how these things began, and what happened to them.   I thought the story about the OldPlank Road was fascinating. The Old Plank Road was constructed in 1915 by a businessman and road builder “Colonel” Ed Fletcher.   It stretched over the Algodones Dunes in an east-west direction from southern California into Arizona.   Basically, it was the means of travel between San Diego and Yuma. In the early 1900’s, San Diego wanted to be known as the pivotal part of the southern California’s roadways since Los Angeles was the last stop for the transcontinental railroad.   Ed Fletcher was called to task by the Los Angeles Examiner, and was up for the undertaking.   In October of 1912, he and a reporter would run a road race to determine what was going to b...

If you are driving along Interstate 40 in Arizona, you will come across Exit 157 which is about 40 miles west of Flagstaff.  The sign on the exit displays the name “Devil Dog Road”.   The story of the name centers on Dr. Olive Goddard who was a preacher in the early 1900’s.  Goddard was a “self-proclaimed prophet and theologian” and known as “Dr. God” and “The Prophetess of Devil Dog Road”.   Her unconventional theology caused lots of debate among the followers of her parish.  In the 1920’s, Goddard grew an unsavory reputation throughout American culture. For more of Olive Goddard's story and information about Devil Dog Road, click the link to Michel Wolfe's post: https://phenomenalexplorers. wordpress.com/tag/olive- goddard/

This video is the complete package of what to expect on the train ride from Williams AZ to the Grand Canyon.  While waiting for the train, you are entertained by a Wild West show.  The trip takes two hours both ways and you are entertained by traveling musicians.  The scenery changes throughout the trip.  On the way back, train robbers jump aboard and try to take your money.  It was a fun and entertaining trip.  I will go again.

Arizona highways seem to go on forever in some parts of the state. It is hard to not let your mind wander while traveling to your destination. Along the way you might run into a hitchhiker or two. Most of them are real live people needing help getting to their journey’s end, but there is one near the community of Anthem north that appears to be a phantom hitchhiker. Anthem is located north of Phoenix on Black Canyon Highway (Interstate 17). A shadowy male figure has been seen along the highway holding a lantern. The Anthem Hitchhiker is the name he was given because of the location people have laid their eyes on this ghostly figure. He appears to be waiting for someone to give him a ride but one big problem; he is a ghost and has been dead for years. The story told of this unlucky gentleman was that he was hitchhiking and hit by a car on that very spot. He was on his way to Phoenix, but never made it. Now he can be observed on the side of the road with his lantern trying to get...

The Ghost Bus of Union Pass has been seen by many who travel on U.S. Highway 93 from Phoenix to Laughlin, Nevada. It was in July of early 1990’s when Bus 777 with its 48 passengers headed off from Phoenix to Laughlin. They were excited to relax and do some gambling at the casinos. The driver took U.S. Highway 93 and headed north to his destination. After a brief stop in Wickenburg they continued on but had bus problems along the way. It overheated when they stopped in Wikieup and the driver wanted to wait for another bus. The passengers were eager to start gambling and encouraged the driver to push on. By the time they got to Union Pass the bus broke down. The 48 passenger pushed the bus up the hill, quickly got in, and rode the bus down. One witness said the bus was flying at a hasty pace and disappeared behind a hill. Bus 777, its driver, and passengers were never heard from again. The police were puzzled by the scene of the accident because they found no skid marks or any indicat...

Crater Range is the section of Route 85 which lies ten miles north of Ajo, AZ.  Many take this path from Phoenix to Lake Tahoe.  Sometime in the 1950’s a happy couple, full of wedded bliss, took this thoroughfare on their way to Lake Tahoe for their honeymoon.  This stretch of highway has mountains with huge boulders looming above.  The moon was not visible this night making their drive almost impossible to see clearly on the pitch-black road.  It was around midnight when the unbearable drive caused them to hit an enormous rock on the side of the road.  The couple died instantly. Countless people who drive Crater Range at midnight say they have witnessed a car on the side of the road and a couple flagging them down.  The local residents claim that this is the ghosts of the twosome that lost their lives on this same route.  While some just pass them by, others have attempted to help them by offering a ride.  The pair would get in the b...