WINONA, AZ — With Route 66 set to turn 100 in less than a week, the small community east of Flagstaff is leaning into its place in the legendary road’s story. Longtime employee Lance Stockton, who has worked at the Winona Trading Post for 14 years, says the town’s residents see themselves as custodians of a piece of American history.
Trading post anchors the town’s heritage
Stockton describes the Winona Trading Post as one of the oldest buildings in town, a stop that still serves motorists at its historic gas station. “We’ve met people from, say, Australia. Some from Japan,” he says. “Most people from out of the country are not really familiar with this area, so when you explain the Route 66 scenario, then they fall into it.” The trading post’s welcoming atmosphere, he adds, feels like a “big, huge family setting” for visitors.
Music, lyrics, and a local twist
The iconic song “Get Your Kicks on Route 66” mentions three Arizona towns: Flagstaff, Kingman and Winona. While the original lyric reads, “Flagstaff, Arizona, don’t forget Winona,” Stockton offers a local spin: “Actually it’s when in Arizona, don’t forget Winona.” That small change reflects the pride locals feel in being part of the highway’s cultural legacy.
Walnut Canyon Bridge draws history buffs
Just outside town, the Walnut Canyon Bridge—now 102 years old—remains a popular photo stop. Before Interstate 40 bypassed the original route, cross‑country drivers relied on the bridge for decades. Stockton notes that the bridge, like the trading post, is a reminder that “your locals are what remember it the most.” He emphasizes that preserving these landmarks is as much about the people who tell the stories as it is about the structures themselves.
Community effort keeps the memory alive
Beyond the trading post and bridge, Winona’s residents host informal gatherings, share anecdotes with travelers, and maintain the town’s historic signage. Their goal is simple: to ensure that anyone passing through understands the significance of Route 66 and feels a personal connection to the road’s past.
Looking ahead to the centennial celebration
As the centennial approaches, the town plans modest events that highlight its heritage without overwhelming its small‑town charm. Stockton hopes that the influx of tourists will bring economic benefit while also reinforcing the community’s identity as a living piece of Route 66 history.
For travelers seeking a genuine slice of Americana, Winona offers a welcoming stop where history is not just remembered—it is actively shared.
Original reporting: azfamily KTVK/KPHO Phoenix (news) — read the source article.
