Hackberry, AZ

Hackberry was foiunded in1874, and is the oldest town along this stretch of Route 66. It has been a silver mining town, a cattle town and a railroad town that once had the reputation for gambling and gun fights. On the way to Hackberry, you'll pass by Bert's Country Dancing. It's been closed for years but it's a cool looking place.

The Hackberry Store is on the site of the original Northside General Store, which opened in 1934. It closed in 1978 after I-40 bypassed Hackberry, and Hackberry became a ghost town. In 1992, artist Bob Waldmire bought it and opened the Hackberry Store as a tourist center and souvenir shop. In 1998, Waldmire sold it to the current owners.

Today, although the Hackberry Store sells stuff, it's more of a museum. There is a 1957 Corvette out front. There are lots of vintage cars, trucks, signs, gas pumps, vending machines and more outside.

Inside are more museum pieces, including an entire diner and soda fountain (non-operational). There are autographed photos of luminaries who have stopped by, plus scores of other photos of TV and movie stars from the Route 66 era, including photos of Martin Milner and George Maharis. If you don't know who they are you should just go home!

The guys will love the photos in the Men's Room. Never been in the Ladies Room, so I can't vouch for it.

A few miles out of town you'll pass by the Kozy Corner Trailer Park. Check out the totem, which they call Giganticus Headicus.

On the 25 mile ride to Kingman, check out the Outpost Saloon. It's probably closer to Kingman than Hackberry, but it is a big time biker destination. It's a small, clean place with a cowboy motif. There are old guns,chaps and saddles all over the place, and there is a glass bar with a bunch of western antiques on display. There also is a nice patio in the back.