“Standin’ on the Corner” in Winslow, Arizona
Thursday, June 14, 2018
Thunderstorms, 90°
"Well, I'm a standing on a corner in Winslow, Arizona and such a fine sight to see. It's a girl, my Lord, in a flatbed Ford slowin' down to take a look at me." - Eagles
Welcome to Winslow sign
The song, “Take It Easy” by the Eagles has endured on classic rock radio since 1972. It is a classic anthem for our aimless 1970s wandering. Winslow, Arizona decided to take advantage of the song’s tag line to open a park in the downtown area. When interstate highway 40 was built just to the north of Winslow, it replaced the Old Route 66 highway through town cutting traffic and tourist dollars in the community so something was needed to help spark the economy once again.
Route 66 Roadside Attraction sign
This was my second time “Standin on the corner” as I made a 600 mile detour on my way from Alaska two years ago to come see this piece of Americana music history. In a photo of my first visit, there was an “eagle” sitting on a ledge in the top left window but this visit after the fire in the building there is no eagle now. See photos.
Photo two years ago – Placido, girl, and eagle in window July 14, 2016
Current photo – No eagle in the window after the fire
Standin' on the Corner Park opened in 1999 in Winslow, Arizona. It is a public park, commemorating the song "Take It Easy" which was written by Jackson Browne and Glenn Frey and, most famously, recorded by the Eagles. The song includes the verse "Well, I'm a standing on a corner in Winslow, Arizona and such a fine sight to see. It's a girl, my Lord, in a flatbed Ford slowin' down to take a look at me." The park contains a two-story trompe-l'œil mural by John Pugh, and a bronze statue by Ron Adamson of a life-sized man who is standing on a corner with a guitar by his side (Jackson Browne). The park is surrounded by a wall of bricks, with windows to peer into; each brick has a donor's name on it and a story by each of the donors describing their fondness for Winslow, Arizona. (Wikipedia)
Standin’ on the Corner
In September 2016, a statue was unveiled at the park in the likeness of Glenn Frey, who died earlier that year.
Glenn Frey statue (close up)
Winslow runs an annual Standin' on the Corner Festival at the end of September featuring country rock and Eagles tribute bands, such as the band Hotel California. The town now estimates that 100,000 people stop by every year to stand on its corner. Jackson Browne finally made a pilgrimage 2013 but not sure if Glenn Frey ever did before his passing.
Route 66 Intersection
There are several nice gift shops and coffee shops on the various corners and block by this Route 66 location.
This is Old Route 66 sign
It is a quick stop off I-40 so would not cut into your trip times making this stop, a must for music lovers of all ages.