Introduction to Historical Markers in Arizona

How to Find Arizona's Historic Markers and Historic Landmarks

Sep 8, 2009 Linda Gentile

Arizona's historical marker system is dormant, but the state has no lack of markers and landmarks. From ancient pueblo ruins to Route 66 kicks, it's all in Arizona.

Arizona historical markers are plaques mounted onto walls and free-standing concrete bases. Most plaques are shaped in the form of the state; a few are rectangular with text contained within an Arizona-shaped frame.

Those placed along highways are usually announced by "historical marker ahead" signs; dotted along the highways and towns of America's Copper State, they tell stories of heroes like Geronimo and places as diverse as Salome and Phoenix.

Arizona's historical marker program is run by the Arizona State Historical Society, though it is currently on hiatus, with no official website to list the marker locations. The historical marker hunter need only visit any of Arizona's historic towns or drive its highways, however, to find a wealth of historical markers and sites.

Arizona's Route 66 Historical Markers and Landmarks

Route 66 passed through some of the harshest parts of Arizona and its legacy is reflected in towns like Winslow and Kingman. Between Kingman and Seligman is the longest original stretch of the Mother Road, with nothing but a single biker bar to break the loneliness.

Hampton Hotels' Save-A-Landmark program has marked numerous landmarks along the way, but many other organizations have put up Route 66 markers in Arizona, too. At times the traveler might be forgiven for thinking that every historical organization has tried to stake its claim on Route 66.

Throughout Arizona numerous motels and gas stations are testament to Route 66. Perhaps the most famous is the Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, where a curious traveler can still spend a night in an old concrete cone. Many of these old lodgings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Other Kinds of Historical Markers in Arizona

Arizona has nearly 1,300 landmarks listed on the National Register of Historic Places, many of which have standard rectangular or privately-placed plaques.

There are also around 40 National Historic Landmarks, including several Mary Jane Colter structures in the Grand Canyon National Park. Many have standard square plaques. (If you go to the Hoover Dam, you'll find several plaques in both Arizona and Nevada).

Local Historical Marker and Landmark Systems in Arizona

There are around 30 Certified Local Governments, however, each qualified to create its own landmark system; for example, the cities of Phoenix, Tucson and Williams have such systems.

Others places, like Winslow, take a more piecemeal approach. Just east of town, the ancient Homolovi Ruins await, some interpreted with signs and others left to the imagination. There are several excavated pueblo sites, at least one wheelchair-accessible. In Winslow itself, the Hubbell Trading Post is still in business as an art and souvenir shop. The "Standin' on the Corner" monument pays homage to the Eagles' hit, complete with girl in a pickup truck. A state historical marker lies on the eastern side of town, and there are two historic districts.

Winslow is an example of how, despite the dearth of official Arizona historical marker documentation, no history-hunter need worry about lack of material.

The copyright of the article Introduction to Historical Markers in Arizona in Historical Travel is owned by Linda Gentile. Permission to republish Introduction to Historical Markers in Arizona in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Arizona Historical Marker With Shaped Plaque	Arizona Historical Marker With Shaped Text Frame	Arizona National Register Landmark
Arizona National Historic Landmark	Standing on the Corner in Winslow, Arizona