Whiting Brothers, Yucca, AZ
Brief history:
Yucca Bypass
Even when Route 66 was first built in the 1920s, several supporters worked to
have the highway parallel the railroad through Yucca, where its supporters
lived. However, Oatman was at its peak as a mining community and had more clout.
So, even though it made the drive more difficult on those old Model-T’s, the
original route took the hazardous journey up Sitgreaves Pass, bypassing Yucca .
In the end it all came back around, when in 1952, Route 66 was straightened out
and headed through Yucca , this time bypassing Oatman.
As you travel this newer alignment to Yucca, elevations begin to drop as you get
your first glimpses of the dreaded Mojave Desert.
At this old Whiting Brothers complex, there's no more gas, no more groceries,
and no more beds.
Yucca thried through the 1950s as tourist courts and cafes sprouted up. When
I-40 replaced Route 66 through here, Yucca exits remained, but it wasn’t enough
to keep the old services open. Soon, one more of the many Whiting Brothers
Complexes "bit the dust." All that remains today are its famous signs. Other
businesses followed suit, leaving Yucca with little more than abandoned
businesses, mobile homes, and an odd golf-ball looking house.
Beyond Yucca , there is little to see along the steaming desert highway other
than dozens of large billboards enticing you to visit Lake Havasu to the South.
Settle in for the next 25 mile stretch until you reach the wide Colorado River
at Topock.
http://www.legendsofamerica.com/AZ-KingmanToCalifornia.html
If you go to this link you will find a pic very much like one of those I took
today.
The property consists of a cafe and motel. The motel has 8 units and a motel
office; I took pics of the office and all the units, plus the cafe. The friends
I was with said they knew why I wanted the photo op, but they didn't expect me
to be CSI (I examined everything). One friend thought it was particularly funny
that I shot the No Trespassing sign and then proceeded on.
Now for the pics:
I DON'T GIVE OUT LOCATIONS. I DON'T KNOW IF THE BUILDINGS ARE FOR SALE. I DON'T KNOW IF THE BUILDINGS ARE STILL STANDING.
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