WILLIAMS — City workers cut the holes in the boxcar bridge this morning. They said that they had no word on when the bridge would be complete. There is still some concrete work left to do.
Tag Archives: Route 66
Williams Vikings hold homecoming parade
WILLIAMS — The Williams Vikings held their annual Homecoming parade blocking off portions (all of) historic Route 66 this afternoon. The parade was a prelude to their bonfire tonight in preparation for their ignominious stomping of their rival from Mayer tomorrow at 7 p.m.
Slight chance of rain Saturday afternoon
WILLIAMS — Clouds rolled in yesterday appearing ready to douse Williams with yet another monsoon rain. A few thunder-claps could be heard in the distance and a few raindrops fell, but it fell silent.
It was predicted to be clear through Saturday night, but it appears now that there is a slight chance of rain Saturday beginning in the afternoon.
Sunday and Monday there is a 50% chance of rain. This could produce heavy rains and lightning.
The extended forecast shows a possibility of rain through Thursday of next week.
Boxcar bridge in place in Williams
WILLIAMS — Traffic on Route 66 was halted for several hours and a crowd formed in Williams, yesterday, to watch as they filled a gap left by the city across the drainage channel through Glassburn Park. The City of Williams worked with historian Al Richmond and the railroad to emplace a 50-foot boxcar to be used as a covered bridge.
The accompanying video mistakenly informs that the property belongs to the Grand Canyon Railway, but it actually belongs to BNSF Railroad.
The City of Williams has been working with Al Richmond and the Railroad to build a railroad history museum in Williams for several years. While that appears to becoming a reality, this bridge project is not part of that, specifically.
The Railroad and the City have been building railroad-themed parks along the property for the last year.
Crews worked into the night to secure the new boxcar bridge.
Williams originally intended to turn the Babbit-Polson Warehouse into a museum, but technical difficulties could not be overcome at the time. The Community Stage was added about two-years ago.
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Martin Milner dies at age 83
Martin Milner best known for the roles of Corvette owner Tod Stiles in the television series Route 66 and stone-faced police veteran Pete Malloy in Adam-12 passed away at the age of 83. The communication office of the LA Police Department issued an Instagram which stated, “Pete Malloy, you are end of watch.”
Milner started his career with a 1947 appearance in Life With Father. He went on to do roles in many World War II movies, such as Sands of Iwo Jima, Halls of Monezuma, Fighting Coast Guard and other television shows and movies. He even stood out in his minor role as a southern shore patrol officer in Mister Roberts.
I remember him for his movie The Private Lives of Adam and Eve. He also stared in the Irwin Allen production of Swiss Family Robinson and the short-lived television series of the same name.
It was his role of Tod Stiles in the 1960 to ’64 Route 66 that brought him the most fame during this period. My father told me that when he was working on the Glen Canyon Dam, the show was filming somewhere in Arizona. He and a friend passed by and the friend said something that the producer liked and paid his friend $50 to allow him to use it in the show. My father said that he wished he had said something—anything—at the same time.
He played the role of Stephen Banner in the Dragnet series of 1951 to 1959. He returned to his association with Jack Webb in the Dragnet which ran from 1967 to 1970. He played to role of officer Pete Malloy. That character did not rest, however, appearing in The D.A. series and the television series Emergency! while the television series Adam-12 was running from 1968 to 1975.
His last role was Detective Halloran in the mystery television series Diagnosis Murder staring Dick Van Dyke. But he continued to draw fans and autograph seekers as this YouTube video at an event in Chicago in 1996 shows.
Red Garter Bed and Bakery on Travel Channel tonight.
Host Anthony Melchiorri evaluates Red Garter
WILLIAMS — On April 28, Anthony Melchiorri of the Travel Channel show Hotel Impossible visited Williams, Arizona to evaluate hotels in the area. One of those was the Red Garter Bed and Bakery with Anna’s Grand Canyon Coffee and Cafe.
The Grand Canyon Coffee and Cafe moved to the Red Garter Bed and Bakery just two-months earlier in February.
To see if they made the grade, you can watch the show tonight at 6 p.m. local (10 p.m. eastern) on Dish (Channel 196) or DirectTV (Channel 277).
(Check the links for local listing in your time zone)
Elvis, Melvis: Music with a-peel on KZBX
WILLIAMS — While vacationing in Laughlin, we thought we found the perfect gift for Maggie who manages the Camp Civitan Shop in downtown Williams.
Maggie Peel started her broadcasting career at KZBX 92.1 FM in Williams by broadcasting Elvis tunes for her show Elvis With A-Peel. She even got in early today to purchase her issue of the latest Elvis stamps available at the post office. Thus we got her the Elvis glasses to help get her in character.
Alas, she has changed her format. She still plays Elvis, but added country and contemporary music in the mix. So now her show is just Music With A-Peel. You can hear her show from 4-6 p.m. on KZBX or listen to the show on their web site.
During the day you can meet the mega-radio personality at her day job, and possibly pick up some deals, at the Camp Civitan Thrift Store in downtown Williams next to Old Smokey’s restaurant. Camp Civitan Thrift Shop is currently open from 11 a.m to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
A couple of cloud bursts temporarily dampen enthusiasm
WILLIAMS — A couple of short cloud bursts over Williams caused scattered tourists ducking into businesses for relief. The enthusiasm was only temporarily dampened, however, when the sun peeked out again.
Les, Station Manager of KZBX 92.1, saddened by the rain.
About 1 p.m. a dousing caused KZBX 92.1 to fold up their remote. When the sun came out, so did the crowds.
Overall, the even seems to have been as successful as years past. In fact it seems that there were more participants this year. (Although we missed the incredible Marv-Mobile this year.) The crowds packed Route 66 throughout the day only thinning out with the brief downpours. 
Some came ready for the rain.
Elvis isn’t dead. He works at Addicted to Route 66 Deals.
Cool-Country Cruise In may expect cool tomorrow
WILLIAMS — Rain in the forecast may keep the Cool-Country Cruise In cool tomorrow. There is an 80% chance of rain dropping to 60% overnight and 10% tomorrow. Temperatures are expect to be about 77.
The rain today and through the night will cause difficulty keeping the Spring Fire burning so there should be no problem with smoke.
The problem is that the National Weather Service has issued a flash flood warning through midnight on August 8. The flash flood warning covers the Kaibab Plateau and all canyon area, including Oak Creek, Sycamore, Marble Canyons and the Glen Canyon and Grand Canyon country areas.
The flood warning covers the cities of Flagstaff, Williams, Jacob Lake, Fredonia, Page, Lees Ferry, Grand Canyon Village, Supai, Valle, North Rim, Tuba City, Munds Park and Sedona.
People arriving for Cool-Country Cruise In today can take in the movie at the Methodist Church on the corner of 2nd and Sherman at 7 p.m. tonight. The screening of Do You Believe? is free.
The Williams Aquatic Center will be open for a free swim tomorrow from noon until 4 p.m.
Get out of town: Explore Route 66
UPDATED 7/29 4:02 Thanks to Linda Messimer for the correction on Davenport Lake.
WILLIAMS— Williams has the distinction of being the last route 66 town bypassed by interstate 40. The mural on the wall by Circle K is a tribute to that. So while you are here you might want to stay an extra day in Williams to explore the Mother Road.
“On Arizona Highway 87, south of Chandler. Maricopa County, Arizona.” by Dorothea Lange – U.S. National Archives and Records Administration. Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons
Route 66 gained the name of the Mother Road because of its significance to history. During the depression when tragedy struck the Great Plains—in what was called the great Dust Bowl—thousands took to Route 66 to travel west in search of a better life. This was depicted in the book and movie The Grapes of Wrath.
Route 66 was instrumental in winning World War I and World War II. Old-timers told me of the days when they would watch convoys of men and material moving down Route 66 to be shipped off to war. Most people don’t realize that Interstate 40, and all other freeways for that matter, were started by President Eisenhower who brought the idea back from the German autobahn.
Route 66 has seen a resurgence of interest since it was decomissioned. Williams and Flagstaff have a significant amount of Route 66 still available for travel. The stretch we will examine in this article is from Bellmont to Williams.
Of course it goes down to Ash Fork which is another significant Route 66 town, as well as a railroad center in the old west. Ash Fork history can be seen at the Route 66 Museum in Ash Fork on, well… Route 66.
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