Focus on !!

    Arizona, the 48th state, was home to U.S. 89-one of the original 1926 highways.  With its southern end at the Mexican border in Nogales, 89 was the backbone of north-south travel in the state.  From the border town of Nogales, 89 once ran north to Tucson where it merged with and was co-signed with U.S. 80.  This marriage continued through Tucson, Florence and Phoenix (where highways 80 & 89 were also co-signed with 60 & 70!) before 89 veered north to run with highways 60 & 70 to Wickenburg.  From Wickenburg, 89 continued solo through Prescott on its way to Ash Fork.  In Ash Fork, 89 was co-signed with its more famous brother Route 66 eastward through Flagstaff before 89 once again ran north alone through Indian country, across the famous Navajo Bridge over Marble Canyon, and on onward into Utah.  It's passing has left a few gems for us to explore with portions of the old route conveniently renamed AZ 89 in the Prescott area.  From south to north, let's check out what I've found so far...

     Leaving the hustle and bustle of the Nogales street vendors behind, perhaps the early roadies stopped for a bite to eat at the Cow Palace in Arivaca Junction/Amado.  This place has been serving up lunch since the 1930's-must be good.  Just across the street, the Longhorn Cafe is a great example of the kitsch that used to be so prevalent along the American road.   Just look for the horns on the west side of I-19! 

     Old 89 came into the south side of Tucson on what is called today 'Nogales Highway' which in turn becomes S. 6th Ave.-now unfortunately not a very nice part of town.  However, there do exist a couple of scraps to remind us of those earlier days.  In the 4300 block of S. 6th Ave, check out the Mi Cabana restaurant on the east side of the road and this unknown 30's era motel on the west side of the road.  Note the tepee shape of the Mi Cabana's roof!  Just north of here, 89 connected and was co-signed with old U.S. 80 for the rest of it's run north through Tucson.  For more info on these areas, visit my U.S. 80 pages.  BTW, the 89 and 80 junction was obliterated by the I-10/6th Ave. interchange.

     It wasn't until north of "out Wickenburg way" that 89 once again struck out on its own.  With twisting mountain grades and great vistas, the stretch between Wickenburg and Prescott (pronounced PRESS'-kit out here...) is a great bit of highway to cruise.  Fortunately, relics abound!  Look for short, cut-off segments of roads in the mountains, and be sure to stop in Yarnell.  The sleepy little town of Yarnell has several small, quaint shops and a couple of real charmers:  Check out the Lil' Mountain Motel.  This 'cute as a button' little place doesn't appear to be open anymore, and it's my loss.  Just down the street, what kid could resist the beck-n-call of a giant hot dog?!  I wonder how many grumbling fathers forked over quarters to keep their kids quiet!

    Just a short piece up the road, don't blink and watch for the remains of a couple of businesses at Kirkland Junction.  On the east side of the road lie the remains of the Tufa Tavern and several small stone buildings which had to be early tourist courts.  If anyone knows any history about this area, please drop me a line.  Check out these fantastic ruins here!  1st the main building, then the courts; and finally, I doubt that anyone has recently paid heed to the parking sign out front. 

     Before you enter Prescott proper (remember, it's PRESS'-kit - or be sure to be labeled as a tourist!), the little town of Wilhoit awaits your exploration.  Check out this great old station on the west side of the road.  This structure was still there as of 06/2000, and no, the truck in the background was actually there and is not a digital prop.  Bet its been a long time since those pumps saw any action...

     My travels that day did not take me north on old 89 into Ash Fork, so I'll need help from you, the roadie, to fill in this area.  Instead, let's pick up old 89 where today it is still called U.S. 89 heading north out of Flagstaff.  Though once past the Sunset Crater area there remains little in the way of old gas stations/establishments, be sure to watch the east side of the road (mostly) as you approach Cameron and the Tuba City area.  You'll see the ghosts of old 89 appearing/disappearing in dips, around hills and even the apparitions of a couple of abandoned bridges.   Watch the old pole lines for hints...the old roads often followed these old telegraph/telephone poles much more closely than they do today.  This bridge 'apparition' and abandoned segment of highway was found in the early morning somewhere near Cameron.  Unfortunately, my notes were not too exact...I must have still been sleepy.  I usually try to catch mile markers so that those that follow in my footsteps can enjoy these old relics as well.  BTW, that white in the background is the top of Mt. Humphries near Flagstaff-about 40 miles from where these photos were taken.

     Before leaving the deserts of Arizona behind, there remained one last great hurdle to the early road makers: the Colorado River and Marble Canyon.  The solution to the problem-the beautiful and historic Navajo Bridge.  At 470 feet above the river, the 750 foot long bridge has recently been awarded the status as the most historic bridge in Arizona by the Arizona Society of Civil Engineers.  So if you pass this way, take a moment to stop and reflect upon the engineering challenges, the graceful solutions and proud accomplishments of these early engineers/road builders.  Here is an early postcard of this famous bridge.  I hope you enjoy it (Note-postcard image was taken from an e-bay auction and is not my own).