Hard to believe, but 2025 is upon us. This is a significant time because 2025 is the last non-centennial year for Route 66. The odometer clicks over to 100 in 2026 and the celebration begins. These are the last few months for planning and prep. Let’s get everything ready now so we don’t miss a minute of the Mother Road’s Big 100th Birthday Bash!
Welcome to the quarterly newsletter of the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona. I’m Roger Naylor, Arizona author and travel writer, and it’s my privilege to pen these newsletters that we hope will inform and entertain. Let’s jump right in.
Route 66 travelers can have an out of this world experience at Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff. And it’s all thanks to the brand-new Discovery Center that opened in November. The $53 million building is a state-of-the-art science center featuring interactive exhibits, a beautiful theater, and an open-air observatory.
Kids and grownups alike will enjoy all the hands-on activities that includes scale models of the solar system and a place to build and launch rockets. The rooftop viewing area uses Flagstaff’s dark skies as a natural planetarium dome. Astronomers will be on hand to point out different stars and constellations winking at us from the cosmos. The theater contains a 25-foot-tall LED screen and offers immersive presentations and spectacular imagery.
Historic Lowell Observatory was established in 1894, making it one of the oldest in the country. Pluto was discovered from here in 1930 and Lowell has continued to provide vital space research over the ensuing decades. You’ll find plenty of roadside attractions along Route 66, but only one drops the heavens right in your lap. 📷: Lowell Observatory
Beside the Route 66 centennial, we’ll celebrate another milestone in 2026. The Pixar film Cars will turn 20 years old. The animated movie proved to be a massive hit and did a wonderful job telling the story of what happened to countless small towns when Route 66 was bypassed by the interstate. Many of our Arizona Route 66 family folks were consulted before the movie was made and also thanked in the credits. And of course, several Arizona locations are easily spotted.
Most significantly, Cars introduced a whole new generation to Route 66. A lot of families with young children began exploring the Mother Road because of John Lasseter’s film. And that continues today, thanks to strong DVD sales and streaming services. There’s nothing better for the community than the curiosity and enthusiasm of kids and young people. Always nice to see our family growing. We give a hearty thanks to Lightning McQueen and the gang. Cars was released on June 9, 2006.
📷:@incontriamocialgate
The 2024 Route 66 UltraRun is now in the record books. The popular race covers 140 miles of scenery and history from Seligman to Topock. It’s a great challenge for serious runners, and big fun for those that want to move at a slightly slower pace. UltraRun is open to solo runners and relay teams. Kingman was well represented in the 2024 edition with a 6-person relay team that finished the race in an impressive 35 hours. What a way to see the Mother Road from a fresh perspective.
Entry fees for this epic event helps raise funds for the non-profit Alzheimer’s Association. A hat tip to Marshall and Heather Ulrich for organizing the event, and thanks to everyone who participated, volunteers, crews, and the slightly footsore runners. Great job! UltraRun always will be held the second weekend in November so you can start getting in shape for your 2025 adventure now.
The Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona never lets the money it raises sit idle. In late summer, they awarded a $25,000 grant for façade improvements at the Hotel Beale in Kingman. The downtown hotel was built in 1898 and was later purchased by Thomas Devine, father of beloved actor, Andy Devine. Sadly, the historic gem has been closed for more than a decade. The grant will be used for construction and restoration of the façade of the Hotel Beale. Architects will work in partnership with non-profit organization Kingman Main Street on this very worthwhile project. Always love to see one of our older properties rising from the ashes.
I’ve chronicled the efforts to save and restore the historic Osterman Gas Station in Peach Springs in past newsletters but there’s even more updates. Built in 1929 by Swedish immigrant John Osterman using a concrete block kit from Sears Roebuck catalog, the distinctive station is almost as old as Route 66. Now owned by the Hualapai Tribe, work has been ongoing. Severe storm damage seemed to doom the project. Then the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona came to the rescue in 2023 by donating $45,000 to assist with architectural and stabilization costs.
Most recently, the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program awarded a $30,000 grant and $30,000 cost-share match to the cause. So things are continuing to move forward. The Hualapai Tribe is considering several possible uses for the beloved building. The important thing is saving this stylish piece of Americana to anchor the town of Peach Springs and be enjoyed by travelers for decades to come. 📷: John Burcham
Taking advantage of sparse winter traffic, Cindy and Tony Jaquez, the hardworking owners of Jack Rabbit Trading Post closed the business for the month of January. But stop clutching your pearls, they are reopening in February. Any small business owner knows how exhausting it can be to maintain an operation, especially in a rural area where help can be hard to come by. Cindy’s family has run the beloved outpost with its iconic siren-song of a sign since 1961. Tony and Cindy have kept it going since 1995. So a little breather was well deserved. Let them know they are appreciated by stopping in to say welcome back, and make a purchase. Good wishes don’t keep the lights on for these mom-and-pops. They need money in the cash register. Besides, what’s a better Valentine’s Day gift than a T-shirt with a big old jackrabbit on it? And don’t forget, you can even shop online.
One of Arizona’s historical icons is about to receive a modern, climate-friendly update. Xanterra, the company that operates Grand Canyon Railway, received a $3.4 million grant from the Department of Transportation to convert a diesel engine into a zero-emission battery operated locomotive.
The new battery powered train will be able to cover the journey on a single charge. From a passenger standpoint, not much will change. The locomotive will run quieter and will produce no diesel exhaust. This innovation continues Xanterra’s eco-friendly efforts. They previously converted historic steam engines to run on waste vegetable oil. The grant will cover 80 percent of the cost of the project while Xanterra picks up the rest of the tab. Passengers should be able to climb aboard a battery powered train starting in 2027.
What do lawyers and toddlers have in common? They both hang out at Coffee Inn, one of Flagstaff’s newest downtown business. Specializing in healthy homemade pastries, fresh fruit smoothies, sandwiches piled on croissants, and delicious java, Coffee Inn serves breakfast and lunch in their cheerful space with plenty of to-go orders flying out the door. There’s even a kids’ corner in the café, a safe place for babies to play while parents have a moment to savor a steaming cup of joe.
Owner Anastassiya McPherson has operated Karen’s Gluten-Free Bakery in Sedona for a couple of years after taking over from the previous owner. When she realized many customers were driving from Flagstaff to enjoy her vegan sourdough bread, organic peanut butter pie, sugar-free cupcakes, and hearty soups and sandwiches, she decided to open a second location. Coffee Inn is located right across from the courthouse, which explains all the well-dressed people streaming in and out. So if you’re looking for something yummy and healthy, pack up the kids, pack up the attorneys, and head for Coffee Inn. 121 E. Birch Ave., 928-405-6400.
It’s never too soon to start making your plans for the rolling party known as the Route 66 Fun Run. So don’t wait too long. Register today and be part of road trip history. As we get closer to the 2026 Route 66 Centennial, interest in events like this will continue to climb. This year, Fun Run will take place May 2-4. The colorful caravan pulls out of Seligman and travels the longest intact stretch of Route 66, with festivities at every stop. All are welcome to ride along but for those that want to register for the car show, you can do so on the Association website. Remember, this is a fundraising event with the proceeds going back into the Route 66 community. Sign up today!
Well, that’s it for now. We’re all looking forward to a 2025 full of Route 66 and Arizona adventures. Look for the next newsletter to land in your inbox in spring.
If you have items of interest you’d like to share in an upcoming newsletter, you can email them to me, Roger Naylor, at [email protected], or to Nikki Terlesky, Director of Operations at Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona at [email protected].
Thanks for being part of the Route 66 family. Happy motoring!