Once upon a time, on the high desert plains of scenic Northern Arizona, there was a community situated by the Little Colorado River Valley. Like most of Arizona’s cities, the city of Winslow initially had Native American tribes inhabiting the area. After they left, settlers started to come in and establish informal settlements. It wasn’t until 1881 when the Atlanta and Pacific Railroad Company chose to establish a stop due to the location’s proximity to the Little Colorado River and the thriving trade.
For a time, Winslow was one of the most prosperous communities in the Arizona area. But as railroad travel started to slow down, communities began to depend on the highways being built for tourist traffic. It didn’t help when the area was bypassed during the construction of the I-40 in the 1970s.
All it took was one song from a fledgling rock band to save the city of Winslow.
In a case of serendipity, The Eagles released their first single called “Take It Easy” in 1972. The song became an instant hit with the verse “standing on a corner in Winslow, Arizona” putting the town back in the public’s radar. The town became so closely associated with the song that they even built a park in downtown Winslow and called it the “Standin’ on a Corner” park.
Today tourism is very much alive in the city. The residents have worked hard to restore much of the infrastructures that harkened back to the glory days of Winslow. One of the pride and joys of Winslow is the historic La Posada Hotel, the last of its kind from the 1930s, designed by woman behind the Grand Canyon, Mary Colter, who herself considered the Native American and Spanish influenced designs of the building as her masterpiece. Other points of interests for history and art buffs are the 9/11 Remembrance Garden, the First Street Pathway, the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad, and the Old Trails Museum. For outdoor activities, head over to the nearby Clear Creek where you enjoy fishing, swimming, and canoeing.