Documenting - The Mother Road - Two Guns, AZ

Two Guns, AZ has a history that started long before Route 66 made way threw the area. Artifacts dating back to 1050 have been found along this sight, and it was the location of a massacre of Apache by the Navajo in 1878. And Billy the Kid and his gang hid out in the area in 1879. Making this an active area of the country even before the road was put in around 1907. In the 1920s it got a gas stations, restaurant and store. In later years a RV park and Zoo were added. Once Route 66 was re-routed the city died.

The first time I stumbled along the exit it was getting dark and I was not able to see or explore much, but I knew I wanted to get back. It fast became one of my favorite stops in the Arizona part of the route. There was not much left standing last time I was there, for that matter I am not sure there was ever much at this stop, but there is something about it that draws me in when I travel that way. I stop each time to see the changes. People stop and feel the need to cause destruction, I have never understood that. I truly believe we should leave things as we found them or better.

From what I have read in the Route 66 news the building at old campground are no longer standing, they were in bad shape last time I saw the area. I look forward to getting out that way this year and documenting the changes since my last trip.

Please remember, “Leave only footprints, take only pictures”!