Arizona Route 66 Ghost Towns can include sites in various states of disrepair and abandonment. Some sites no longer have any trace of buildings or civilization and have reverted to empty land. Other sites are unpopulated but still have standing buildings. Still others may support full-time residents, though usually far less than at their historical peak, while others may now be museums or historical sites.
This is a partial list of Arizona Route 66 Ghost Towns. Most ghost towns in Arizona are former mining boomtowns that were abandoned when the mines closed. Those not set up as mining camps often became mills or supply points supporting nearby mining operations.
5 types of Arizona Route 66 Ghost Towns include; Barren, Neglected, Abandoned, Semi-Abandoned and Historic Site.
Two Guns – A shell of its former self, Two Guns is surrounded by time-worn structures that are crumbling one piece at a time. The skeletal remains of hand-crafted stone buildings remind us of the historical significance of this disappearing treasure, one of many that once attracted thousands of visitors as they motored across America and down the Mother Road. – Route Magazine
Peach Springs – Yes! The Inspiration for “CARS”. Many of the facades in Cars are based on real places in Peach Springs and Seligman, Arizona. Peach Springs has several historic sites, including the John Osterman Shell Station and the Historic Peach Springs Trading Post, both of which are on the National Register of Historic Places. Peach Springs is located on historic Route 66, which was a major factor in the movie’s depiction of the losses faced by towns bypassed by Interstate 40. Peach Springs has a similar rural feel and layout to Radiator Springs. Peach Springs is also the capital of the Hualapai Nation and offers many activities, including whitewater rafting, visiting Grand Canyon Caverns, and experiencing the Wild West at Hualapai Ranch.
Truxton – Modern Truxton began to grow in 1951 when a few people moved in on Route 66, just northeast of the railstop, in anticipation of the building of the proposed Bridge Canyon Dam which would be nearby and would generate commerce. Though the dam was never built, business grew from Route 66 traffic coming through the very sparsely populated area. When Interstate 40 opened in 1978 and bypassed this stretch of U.S. 66, it greatly reduced traffic and commerce in Truxton. Credit: Wikipedia
Valentine – In an isolated part of the Hualapai Reservation off of U.S. Route 66, a cluster of abandoned buildings and a little over 30 people make up the tiny, unincorporated town of Valentine, Arizona. In 1898, the small community officially came into existence when the U.S. government allocated 660 acres of land in what is now recognized as Mohave County for Native Americans. – Credit: AZ Central
Hackberry – A former silver mining town that was revived by service stations when Route 66 was built. However, the town was again abandoned when Interstate 40 was constructed. The town’s population has slowly rebounded since the Hackberry General Store reopened as a Route 66 information center in 1992.
Oatman – A Living Ghost Town – In the northwest corner of Arizona, discover a town full of rugged character…and burros. Nestled in Arizona’s rugged and remote wilderness, this tiny town’s rich Wild West history comes to life with staged shootouts, wooden sidewalks and a bounty of burros that roam freely. At first glance, the wild burros of Oatman seem to steal the show but dig a bit deeper and you’ll discover the town’s raucous mining history and a vibrant main street that plays host to various events throughout the year.