Williams, AZ

The history of Williams roughly parallels that of Winslow, AZ. The town was founded in 1881 and named after the mountain man, William "Old Bill" Williams. The arrival of The Atlantic & Pacific Railroad in 1882 spurred the growth of Williams as a railroad town. The Santa Fe Railroad acquired the western division of the Atlantic & Pacific in 1897 and extended the line from Williams to the Grand Canyon in 1901. Williams has been known as the "Gateway to the Grand Canyon" ever since. A Harvey House Hotel, the Fray Marcos Hotel, was added in the early 1900s, and it still stands today along side the old train depot. Route 66 was completed through Williams in 1926, and the town boomed, catering to both rail and road visitors to the Grand Canyon. Williams was the last town on Route 66 to be bypassed by Interstate-40 in 1984, but the Mother Road is still very much alive in Williams. There are several stores selling Route 66 memorabilia, and it seems like every business has some outdoor reminder of Route 66. The Grand Canyon Railway offers daily service from Williams to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. I visited Williams in April of 2025, but as usual did not spend enough time there.

Welcome to Williams

Soon to be Centennial

View along Historic Route 66

Cars of the Mother Road

Brewed Awakenings Coffee Co.

Native America Shop

Arizona's Railroads

United States Army Tank Car

Route 66 Museum and Gift Shop

Cowboy and Cougar

Metal Miner and Burro

Michigan Penetentiary 1933? Chevy Pickup

Hudson Hornet Wannabe

Vintage Gas Pumps

Zoltar Speaks

C'mon In

Last Town Bypassed by I-40

Bearizona

If you haven't been already you need to visit Bearizona, especially if you're staying in Williams. Bearizona is a wildlife park featuring North American animals, especially bears and wolves. Click the link below to spend some time in Bearizona.

Bearizona

A truly contented bear

Arctic Wolves

Click to visit Bearizona