Seligman, AZ—Quirky Historic Route 66
Seligman is a town of roughly 450 residents, located in the arid flats of northwestern Arizona. Despite its small size, Seligman is hugely important for motorcyclists.
After all, it’s the birthplace of Historic Route 66.
No, not Route 66. Just the “historic” part.
Seligman and Route 66 fans (no matter how many wheels they prefer to travel on) owe a lot to Angel Delgadillo. He was a soft-spoken local barber, and also the father of Route 66 preservation.
Delgadillo’s hometown began enjoying prosperity brought by the Mother Road after World War II ended and hordes of returning G.I.’s took to the road. That, however, ended in 1978, when I-40 bypassed Seligman and rendered Route 66 obsolete.
Over the following years, the old Route 66 (alongside Seligman’s businesses) fell to disuse and disrepair. That didn’t sit well with Delgadillo, and he summoned like-minded individuals to a meeting at the Copper Cart restaurant on February 18, 1987.
They resolved to preserve the Mother Road and formed the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona, with Delgadillo as its president. You could say they were successful, since the following November, the State of Arizona designated the road running from Seligman to Kingman as Historic Route 66.
Many other states have followed Arizona’s example in founding their own Route 66 Associations. But it all started here with Angel Delgadillo.
Seligman also has the distinction of serving as the eastern terminus for the longest continuous surviving section of Route 66, running for 140 miles to Topock.
Route 66 Central
With its history, it’s no surprise that Seligman is full of Route 66 mementos. Most of them are located in the Seligman Historic District along the Mother Road’s old alignment.
Here you’ll find many old buildings and neon signs that date back to a time when more than 9,000 vehicles rolled daily through Seligman. I don’t have the space to list everything, but here are a few things you shouldn’t miss.
To begin with, visit Angel and Vilma Delgadillo’s Route 66 gift shop and get yourself a souvenir from Seligman. This store is housed in the same building that Angel used to cut hair in.
Another little shop to visit is the Route 66 Roadrunner gift shop. Come on, of course I have to give a shoutout to our namesake.
Toward the western edge of Seligman, you’ll find what is currently a Chevron gas station. Right next to it is mounted what is claimed to be the world’s largest Route 66 sign. We don’t have exact measurements to back that claim up, but the sign sure is big.
Another curiosity from Route 66’s past are the replica Burma-Shave signs, located along Old Route 66 to the west of the town. The signs aren’t original (not to mention the shaving cream brand went out of business in 1963) but they serve you a glimpse of things you would’ve seen along the road decades ago.
For some Seligman history that’s not related to Route 66, go see the former home of Commodore Perry Owens. The legendary frontier gunfighter and lawman retired to this house in the late 1890s.
Last but not least, the Grand Canyon Caverns are within a short ride from Seligman. These are the largest dry caverns in the U.S. and quite a sight. Afterward, you can roll into the Hualapai Indian Reservation to take a stroll along the Grand Canyon West Skywalk.
Seligman might be a small place, but its significance for Route 66 can’t be understated. Without the town and Angel Delgadillo, Route 66 may not have been preserved as it is today.
Facts & Information
Nearby Attractions
- Angel and Vilma Delgadillo’s Route 66 Gift Shop
- World’s largest Route 66 sign
- Commodore Perry Owens House
- Grand Canyon Caverns
Nearby Roads
As I mentioned, Seligman sits at the eastern end of the longest continuous section of Old Route 66 in the country. This part of the route is mostly fairly straight, with expansive desert views interspersed with rugged hills. Between the Cool Springs Station and Oatman, however, you get to enjoy some mountain twisties.
If it’s mountain twisties you’re after, though, you should head southeast from Seligman to Congress. Here, you can pick up SR 89 to Prescott and then SR 89A to Jerome, Sedona, and Flagstaff. This section is jaw-droppingly scenic and features some of the most entertaining curves you’ve ever ridden.
A less famous but still good ride is taking SR 188 through the Tonto National Forest. This road is also not very technical, but the views are well worth it—especially once you roll past Roosevelt Lake.
Recommended Lodging: Historic Route 66 Motel
There are many historical motels in Seligman and all are good options for a restful sleep. During our RoadRUNNER Route 66 tour, however, we chose to stay at the Historic Route 66 Motel.
This establishment was built in the early ‘60s as a Navajo Motel. Today, it offers the basic comforts you’d expect from a Route 66 motel. The rooms are well-sized, basic but clean, and you can park your bike by your front door.
There’s no food service at the motel, but that’s alright, as Seligman’s two best restaurants are either next door or across the road.
Food & Dining
When riding through Seligman, you have to eat at one of the town’s famous restaurants. Ideally you’d hit both, but I recognize there may be only so much food you can stuff down.
Roadkill Café (and the adjoining O.K. Saloon) serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You’ll understand why it’s named what it is as soon as you walk in and see all the taxidermy. Chow down on the Chicken That Almost Crossed the Road, or try some of the more exotic treats, like bison burgers. Find it at 22830 W SR 66, Seligman, AZ.
Westside Lilo’s is a more traditional Route 66 diner, filled with associated memorabilia. The portions are huge, and the service is the kind of friendly you find at small-town diners. As a special mention, try the pies and other desserts. Find it at 22855 SR 66, Seligman, AZ.
Best Time to Travel
Seligman makes for a good spring trip destination. Between March and May, the temperatures are warm but not scorching and there’s little rain, making riding comfortable. You might run into some snow in the mountains, though.
Summers in this area get hellishly hot and the monsoon season’s rains arrive in the late summer, so it’s best to avoid the summer months if possible. Fall rides can be nice, although high temperatures can persist until very late in the year.