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We were on our way back from enjoying a fantastic lunch at the Road Kill Cafe, in Seligman, Arizona, with our friends Jerry and Edna, when I suggested that we might want to take a detour off the Interstate and check out Hackberry, Arizona. Jerry and Edna, both being "roadies" immediately agreed, as it sounded like a good idea in order to explore a but of history from Historic Route 66. Now Hackberry is a small town, located along the railroad, but our destination was the Hackberry General Store, located along Historic Route 66.
Left: You'd think the year was 1947, instead of 2007, as this view doesn't offer a clue to tip the date to the viewer. Right: 1950's era gas pumps in front of Hackberry General Store. Hackberry General Store is owned by John and Kerry Prichard,and after striking up a conversation with John, he gave me a little history about the place. Naturally it served as a grocery store, roadhouse and gas station into the 1950s, but with the arrival of the Interstate in the early 1960's, the place became a ghost town. When the Prichards purchased the property many years ago, the store was run-down, vandalized, and very empty. Obviously John and Kerry had a dream, and today's Hackberry General Store is the product of their dream.
Left: The garage has a neat Model T, and a bunch of vintage car parts. Right: Check out the Model A and the 1920's style gas pump on the right. Hackberry General Store is a big tourist draw for tourists, history buffs, "roadies," and anybody traveling this section of Historic Route 66. The Prichards have "decorated" the property with many historic artifacts from past decades, including gas pumps, period vehicles, historic signs, and lots of "junk " that can't even be categorized. We were lucky, as there were few tourists on the cold Sunday, January 14, 2007 day we visited, as we noted ice dripping from the eaves of the store, and a thermometer that read 30 degrees at three in the afternoon.
Left: We loved the urinal in front of the store, situated among vintage auto parts. Right: Icicles adorn the front of the store, due to the chilly 30-degree temperature at 1500 in the afternoon. John was very happy to tell us about the place , and point out to us all the hard work that he and his wife as done, to bring the place together. It was quite welcome to get out the cold and explore the general store, and to check out the "funky" stuff that they sell. I wouldn't quite describe the place as a general store, as they really don't sell a lot of "general merchandise," but if you want to purchase snacks, drinks, Route 66 memorabilia, souvenirs, and a lot of other "stuff" that caters to the road warrior, then Hackberry General Store, is the place for you. For us, outside of purchasing a Pepsi, and a book about the history of Route 66, Hackberry General Store was a pleasant place to visit, chat with the friendly owner, and get out of the January cold.
Left: If you're a cowboy, you can't say that you weren't warned before stepping into the store. Right: The "Elvis Bar" and a colorful mannequin, inside the store. Note the classic Wurlitzer jukebox.
Left: Looking into the store from the "Elvis Bar." Right: The double-drum, coal-fired store keeps the inside warm. Note John behind the counter and his dog sleeping on the floor. It's very cozy inside the store! Pull of the Interstate, and check out this place to see an Arizona Roadhouse, out of the 1950's. You'll be glad that you took the time to visit Hackberry. Hackberry
General Store, John & Kerry Prichard, proprietors
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