Hackberry, Arizona, history comes alive on historic Route 66

If you're a fan of Historic Route 66, you may have heard of the town of Hackberry, Arizona, located only 30 miles east of the bustling Arizona city of Kingman, where Route 66 joins Interstate 40.

Hackberry is one of the many "wannabee" ghost towns, located along historic Route 66. When you were in High School, it's highly likely that you read John Steinbeck's novel, "The Grapes of Wrath" which chronicled some of the issues that the migrants from Oklahoma and Texas faced in their westward trek to California. Old Route 66 departs Interstate 40 at the small town of Seligman, which is another interesting "Route 66" town to explore. Old route 66 takes a giant curve to the north, after it leaves Interstate 40 at Seligman. But if you want to visit Hackberry, leave the interstate and drive the well-paved Route 66 back into the pages of history.

Photos: Hackberry General Store, located 30 miles east of Kingman, Arizona, along historic Route 66 is a stop for many tourists and tour bus passengers.

Many years ago, Hackberry was a prominent stop on the Santa Fe Railroad, now B.N.S.F., as the area was noted for it's cattle ranching, and in the early 20th century, many carloads of cattle were shipped from Hackberry to points east and west. Later, during the heyday of the fabled Route 66, it was noted as an oasis to travelers, mostly heading west to California, from the dust bowl-stricken lands of Oklahoma. In the early 20th century, Hackberry was actually a town, featuring all amenities available at the time, including stores, bars, businesses, and lots of houses. Hackberry continued to thrive until the early 1960's when Interstate 40 bypassed Historic Route 66, and when the interstate was completed, the highway traffic vanished.

Left: Two of the local burros that populate Hackberry. Right: A deceased resident of Hackberry, with one of the souvenir signs of historic Route 66 in the background, which you can purchase at the general store.

Today Hackberry consists of the Hackberry General Store, with period gas pumps in front, and quite a few outbuildings, which is a thriving business owned by John and Kerry Prichard. John and Kerry are currently the only human inhabitants, but there are lots of dogs and a few burros, and I bet a lot of rattlesnakes, ravens and jackrabbits who probably don't want to be included in the official population of Hackberry.

Today's Hackberry is a shadow of its former self, as all industry has disappeared, with the exception of the general store, which is today's Hackberry. True, Hackberry is a ghost town, but don't expect to find solitude, as you'll have plenty of company from curious tourists, fans of Old Route 66, modern-day "roadies" and, last not least, tour buses and their scores of passengers.

Left: What is this, a 1954 Cadillac? Well, it and many other vintage trucks and autos repose in various stages of decay at Hackberry. Right: Is this a 1952 International 1-ton truck? I don't know, but it's at Hackberry.

When we pulled into Hackberry, sure enough, there were many cars and trucks parked in the dirt parking lot, plus a tour bus over to the side, and a red 1960-something M.G. filling up at the gas pumps. Sharlene went into the store to look around, and I sort of explored the outside, taking in all of the "Route 66-era" vehicles, signs, tools, artifacts, and everything else. If you want to stop for a picnic lunch, they even have picnic tables outside, so you can savor the Route 66 history and scenery while you eat. If you're a "roadie" or a fan of historic Route 66, a visit to Hackberry should be a "must-do" if you're visiting this part of Arizona.

Left: Hackberry General Store's version of a WalMart greeter reposes on a bench in front of the store, to greet you. Yes, the drinking fountain works, but the greeter, well, she's a dummy, and she doesn't say much. Right: How long has it been since you've seen gas pumps like these that actually work, and pump gas?

Hackberry's general store is truly a general store, as it sells a little bit of everything. They sell many brands of soft drinks, wine and beer, and of course those plastic-wrapped ready-made sandwiches. However, their biggest business seems to cater to tourists and the tour bus crowd, as they sell just about every kind of historic Route 66 souvenir that you could imagine, including books, pictures, coffee cups, maps; the list is endless. We couldn't resist purchasing a book titled "Trailer Trash" which features photos of various trailers and mobile homes that populate Arizona, California and Nevada, with current condition photos and write-ups, and original photos, new from the factory, advertising brochures, which makes an interesting comparison between "then and now." The store also features a 1950's era soda fountain, which actually works and is sometimes operating, but on our visit, the only patron was a blonde, long-haired mannequin who actually looked out of place, as she more resembled a go-go dancer from the mid-1960's. Decorations include lots of Route 66 photos on the walls of cowboys, 1950's era movie stars, hot rods, cars and much more. There's also a Fender guitar, Route 66 neon signs, a Wulitzer jukebox, and a framed portrait of Elvis. Truly, historic Route 66 at it's best!

Left: Just outside the general store, I noticed a Texas-style smoker and lots of colorful signs which decorate the exterior. Right: Sharlene pays for our book and drinks, as I photograph her from inside the soda fountain. Notice all of the photos and the colorful posters.

Kerry was working the counter as Sharlene paid for our purchases, and she's a very friendly person who will be happy to discuss just about anything with you, providing she's not busy. Naturally, I began to engage her in a conversation about Hackberry, their operation, and general Route 66 questions. However, when I saw two tour busses pull in at the same time, I knew it was time for us to leave.

Left: The soda fountain, decorated with framed photos of James Dean and Elvis, while a beautiful, blonde go-go girl sits at a stool, waiting for a root beer. Note the Fender electric guitar in the background. Right: Sharlene pays for our drinks and book as she chats with Kerry, inside the Hackberry General Store.

If you want to see 1950's era history come alive, a visit to Hackberry is a must-do on your next visit to the northwestern part of the beautiful state of Arizona.

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