Petrified Forest National Park in Apache County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Highway of Dreams
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 21, 2016
1. Highway of Dreams Marker
You are currently standing where the Mother Road used to be, with the line of telephone poles paralleling its alignment through the park. This stretch of Route 66 was open from 1926 until 1958 and was the primary way millions of travelers initially experienced Petrified Forest and the Painted Desert. Imagine driving to this spot in the 1932 Studebaker before you, when this road was in its heyday!
Background photo: junction of Route 66 and the north park road, July 1951
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Parks & Recreational Areas • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the U.S. Route 66 series list.
Location. 35° 3.075′ N, 109° 48.319′ W. Marker is in Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona, in Apache County. It is at the intersection of Petrified Forest Road and Old U.S. Route 66, on the right when traveling south on Petrified Forest Road. Marker is located in a pull-out on the west
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the American Southwest, in the Mountain West, in Colorado Plateau, and at the Four Corners. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Painted Desert (approx. 0.8 miles away); The Petrified Forest of the World (approx. 0.8 miles away); Early Explorers (approx. 1.2 miles away); Path of Least Resistance (approx. 1.2 miles away); Enduring Abode (approx. 1.4 miles away); A Gap in the Geologic Record (approx. 1.4 miles away); Welcome (approx.
2. Marker detail: Painted Desert Tower
Constructed in 1953 and demolished in 1958, the tower used to stand behind you on former private land within the park boundary. One could climb the tower for commanding views of Route 66 and the surrounding area.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Route 66 (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
More about this marker. This marker replaced an older "Route 66" marker at the same location.
Also see . . . Historic Route 66. Traces of an old roadbed and weathered telephone poles mark the path of the famous "Main Street of America." Petrified Forest National Park is the only park in the National Park System containing a section of Historic Route 66. Driving west on Route 66, in the heart of the Painted Desert, one could see a pink edifice glimmering in the clear air. After long hours of travel, here was a special place to take a break, stretch your legs, sip a cold drink, and admire the view. Painted Desert Inn welcomed all with an air of hospitality and allure. (Submitted on December 25, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
3. Marker detail: Painted Desert Park (The Lion Farm)
Established in the 1920s, facilities eventually expanded to include a roadside zoo complete with lions. This business, now demolished, competed directly with its nearby neighbor, the Painted Desert Inn.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 21, 2016
4. Highway of Dreams Marker
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 21, 2016
5. 1932 Studebaker on “Route 66”
Photographed by Adam Margolis, May 26, 2024
6. Highway of Dreams Marker
Photographed by Adam Margolis, May 26, 2024
7. Highway of Dreams Marker
Photographed by Adam Margolis, May 26, 2024
8. Original Route 66 Alignment
Covered by brush, but if you look carefully, you can see right-of-way mounds on either side of the culvert
Credits. This page was last revised on September 20, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 25, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,718 times since then and 102 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 25, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 6, 7, 8. submitted on September 4, 2024, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California.
