Welcome to the Historic Highways 

of the American Southwest

This real photo postcard shows the Linn Valley Camp, at Linn Creek, Mo. along US54, circa 1936

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vintage Waterslide Decals

 

 

 

 

 

The "Eisenhower" interstate system celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2006.Visit the Federal Highway Administration website for highway history, myths, art and links. 

 

 

 

A sign like this  Arizona SR85 sign sold for over $3,000 on eBay in August, 2004.  With the arrowhead/rolling logs logo, it is circa 1920s-30s.   

SALT RIVER VALLEY, PHOENIX/MESA/TEMPE ARIZONA

Here's an early 1900s stereoview of the Salt River Valley; hard to believe this little patch of desert has just become the 5th largest city in the US.

 

1920s Salt River Valley Shell Gasoline Decal

Center Street Bridge, Phoenix, AZ, this postcard was sent to a soldier in  1917. 

US60

US 60 was one of the original highways commissioned in 1926.  It stretched from Virginia Beach, Virginia to Los Angeles, California. Outside of California, this historic two lane highway is almost completely intact. 

US 60 IN ARIZONA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Find Utopia in Phoenix, Arizona, at the Autopia Hotel Court, on US Highways 60, 70 and 80 and 89. It even boasted an adjoining golf course at 3901 E. Van Buren. Postcard image courtesy of Jim and Brigid Engel. 

1953 Best Western Travel Guide and the Best Western in Wickenburg, Arizona on a postcard mailed in 1953; see how they look today....Rancho Grande

 

Motoring along the Apache Trail 

Arizona Copperstate Automobile Association Sign

Globe AZ Southern Pacific Station

Salt River Canyon, US 60, AZ

This is the "old" bridge over the Salt River on US 60.  Although a new bridge now rises beside it, you can still walk out over the old bridge; a visitor center has been added. 

Salt River Canyon, US 60 AZ

Signal road map, 1940s, Arizona

Miami, Arizona

Even the bridges of downtown Miami are registered on the National Register of HIstoric Places. The Miami Ave. Bridge traverses Bloody Tanks Wash. 

Historic downtown Miami, Arizona, is reinventing itself as THE place to shop for antiques.  Sullivan Street is just off US60 from via Keystone or Miami Ave.  Look for the Historic Distric signs. 

Downtown Miami in 1917 (Real Photo Postcard)

Christmas in Miami, 1916 (Read PHoto Postcard)

Winter storm, 1916-17, took down the wires (Real Photo Postcard)

The booming mining town of Miami, Arizona in 1917 (Real Photo Postcard)

VINTAGE SPRINGERVILLE ARIZONA  POSTCARDS

US 60 IN NEW MEXICO

Socorro, New Mexico

Listening for ET, SETI on US 60 in NM

Socorro NM

US60 in NM

US 60 IN THE TEXAS PANHANDLE

Santa Fe Station, Pandhandle, Texas

The Texan Hotel, Pandhandle, TX

The Ocean to Ocean HIghway, US80,  the "Southern 66".  

Arizona 

US80, Motor Map, El Paso to Long Beach, early 1930s

Benson, Arizona has some great neon signs.

BISBEE, ARIZONA 

The big "B" on the hill lets you know you have arrived. 

Bisbee, AZ on US 80

The historic, and beautifully renovated Copper Queen Hotel in Bisbee, AZ, est. 1902.

 ROUTE 66

1965 Route 66 Travel Guide

HISTORIC ROUTE 66 IN HISTORIC WILLIAMS ARIZONA "Gateway to the Grand Canyon"

 

Thank you for visiting our Historic Highways Website, a celebration of the highways and byways of the American  Southwest.  Please check back often, we are always adding new photos & articles.  Click here to read our article,  Collecting Route 66 Memorabilia  

US 80, the Ocean to Ocean Highway also known as the "Southern 66"

Arizona 

US80, Motor Map, El Paso to Long Beach, early 1930s

Benson, Arizona has some great neon signs.

BISBEE, ARIZONA 

The big "B" on the hill lets you know you have arrived. 

Bisbee, AZ on US 80

The historic, and beautifully renovated Copper Queen Hotel in Bisbee, AZ, est. 1902.

 

 

Support your historic highways! Join a preservation group today! 

LINKS

USDOT Highway History Page

US Highways from 1 to 830

The National Historic Route 66 Federation, with links to state groups

The Lincoln Highway Association (US 30)

The Old Spanish Trail Highway

The Pacific Northwest by Johann & Sandra
A collection of information about Washington and Oregon from this Northwest couple.

Wulf Berg's US 50 Website

Yellowstone Trail Coast to Coast, 1912-1930

(C)2008, Jim & Nancy Schaut dba Autohobbies.com.