Thursday, November 30, 2017

US 89 Jacob Lake

Jacob Lake has long been a natural stopping point on to of the Kaibab Plateau, once known as Buckskin Mountain.  Jacob Lake really wasn't a lake but more of a small pond.  The area's meager water supply was all that was needed to develop tourist lodging as people began to travel to the Grand Canyon's North Rim.  Jacob Lake is named for an early Mormon pioneer Jacob Hamblin.
















Saturday, November 25, 2017

US 89 Prescott

For whatever reason, we have way more postcards from Prescott than any other city or locality on US 89 in Arizona.  Because of the sheer number of Prescott postcards & views, we are WAAAY behind on writing captions for them!

The postcard above is a rare classic. It shows the brand new Hassayampa Inn in the 1920's.  You can easily tell it's still the 1920's by the lack of even a single vehicle that dates to the 1930's.  The Hassayampa was finished in 1927, a year after US 89 was designated.  It's entirely possible that this postcard is a depiction of the dedication of the new Hotel.

Classic Prescott motel.  Never heard "Healthiest Spot On Earth" before!
Those are both 1930's sedans traveling US 89 in this postcard.
A modest motor court.
Another view of US 89 through Granite Dells.
Above and below are two views of US 89 south of Prescott.
































US 89 Jerome

 The above photo was undated but is probably from the 1930's...or even later.  The good looking pavement is a tell tale "giveaway" for the approximate dating of the photo.
 The above photo is purportedly from the early 1920's.
A classic piece of the twisty-turny State Route 89A heading north into Jerome.  This road provides an ongoing thrill and challenge to countless drivers from around the world.

Although you can't see any portion of US89A in this photo, there's no doubt that this sign was perched (probably) precariously beside the guardrail.  Chances are very good that Jerome had the lowest speed limit of any portion of US 89 from Mexico to Canada!  It's fairly easy to date this photo as being prior to 1953.  How so?  Well, look over the left side of the Douglas Mansion and note the smoke pouring fro the Clarkdale smelter.  That operation closed in 1953.