Winslow, Arizona: Tracks, Travelers, and a Town on the Map – A Railroad Legacy at the Crossroads of the Southwest

Set along the banks of the Little Colorado River on Arizona’s high desert plains, Winslow rose from the rails and rolled into American lore. Once a vital railroad hub, later a celebrated stop along Route 66, and now a town immortalized in song and memory, Winslow holds a unique place in the story of the American West—where steel tracks, red rock, and cultural crossroads converge.

Sacred Ground and Indigenous Pathways

Long before the sound of steam whistles echoed across the desert, the land around Winslow was inhabited by the Ancestral Puebloans, followed by the Hopi, Navajo (Diné), and Apache peoples.

The nearby Homolovi State Park preserves the ruins of multiple ancient villages dating back to between 1200 and 1400 A.D. Built by ancestors of the modern Hopi, these sites reveal a sophisticated society that farmed the land, traded across great distances, and constructed multistory dwellings from adobe and stone.

The Little Colorado River provided water, wildlife, and fertile ground, and its basin served as a trade corridor connecting distant communities. Even today, Hopi and Navajo lands surround the town, and their cultural presence remains essential to Winslow’s identity.

The Railroad Boomtown (1880s–1920s)

Winslow was founded in 1881, when the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad (soon part of the Santa Fe Railway) selected the site as a division point along its expanding line. The flat terrain, nearby water source, and strategic location made it ideal for rail maintenance, refueling, and crew changes.

Named after Edward F. Winslow, a railroad executive, the town rapidly grew with the arrival of track layers, machinists, and entrepreneurs. By the early 20th century, Winslow had become one of Arizona’s most important rail towns.

The construction of the Harvey House La Posada Hotel in 1930, designed by famed architect Mary Colter, elevated Winslow’s status even further. La Posada served travelers with elegant dining, manicured gardens, and Southwestern décor, making it a destination in its own right.

Santa Fe steam engines roared through the station daily, carrying passengers from Chicago to Los Angeles, with Winslow as a welcome pause on the long journey west.

Route 66 and the American Road Trip (1920s–1960s)

With the establishment of U.S. Route 66 in 1926, Winslow gained a second identity: a highway town on America’s Mother Road. Motorists driving across the country passed through downtown Winslow, stopping for fuel, food, and roadside motels.

The city thrived in the golden age of car travel. Neon signs lit up the main drag, diners filled with families, and classic service stations catered to the endless flow of cars heading west.

Winslow’s fame grew beyond trains and highways when the Eagles released “Take It Easy” in 1972. With the line “standin’ on a corner in Winslow, Arizona,” the town found itself forever embedded in the American musical landscape.

Though it was only one lyric in one song, the cultural impact was enormous—and it would later help spark a preservation movement during Winslow’s toughest years.

Decline and Rediscovery (1970s–1990s)

The 1970s brought sweeping changes. The construction of Interstate 40, bypassing downtown Winslow, shifted traffic away from Route 66. Simultaneously, the decline in passenger rail service and the closure of local businesses led to economic hardship.

For a time, Winslow struggled. Historic buildings fell into disrepair, and tourism declined sharply.

Yet the town’s spirit endured. Preservationists and locals began working to revive Winslow’s legacy. The restoration of La Posada Hotel, completed in the late 1990s, marked a turning point. The hotel became a hub for arts, culture, and fine dining, attracting visitors from around the world.

In 1999, the city unveiled the now-famous Standin’ on the Corner Park, featuring a mural and statue commemorating the Eagles’ song. What began as a quirky tourist stop became a full-blown attraction, breathing new life into the downtown core.

Winslow Today: A City of Heritage and Highway Nostalgia

Today, Winslow has a population of around 9,000 and continues to celebrate its past while embracing a creative and connected future. The restored La Posada Hotel remains the centerpiece of town, while museums, art galleries, and Route 66 landmarks attract a steady stream of visitors.

The town also boasts aviation history: Winslow-Lindbergh Regional Airport, designed in part by Charles Lindbergh, was once a key stop for Transcontinental Air Transport.

Annual events such as the Standin’ on the Corner Festival, Route 66 Car Show, and Hopi Festival of Arts & Culture draw crowds from across the state and beyond.

Despite its small size, Winslow serves as a cultural bridge between past and present, honoring its Indigenous roots, railroad legacy, and role in America’s great road trip story.

Looking Ahead: Preserving the Past, Inspiring the Journey

Winslow’s strength lies in its ability to adapt without forgetting. With deep historical layers and an iconic presence on the map, it remains a place where travelers pause—not just to stand on a corner, but to explore a town that helped shape the American West.

In Winslow, the past rolls by on steel rails and historic highways—always present, always moving forward.