Unlike a lot of songs that celebrate certain regions or towns, the Route 66 city of Winslow, Ariz., does in indeed have a corner that's mentioned in The Eagles' hit single, "Take It Easy."
Well, I'm standin' on a corner in Winslow, Arizona …
The Standin' On a Corner Park was established in 1999 — 27 years after the song was a hit — as a way to pull travelers off of Interstate 40, reports the Denver Post.
And from all corners of the planet people come to the shrine. Eagles fans. Tens of thousands of them every year. They stand on the corner in Winslow, Arizona. And sometimes, they're such a fine sight to see.
"Last summer I saw a woman from Japan break down and cry," Lazzarini said. "She said this was all she wanted to do in life, to come to America and stand in Winslow."
Most tourists spend a few hours in Winslow and then hit the road – carrying bags filled with Standin' On A Corner T-shirts, hats, key chains, ashtrays and beer mugs. Much of that treasure comes from the Roadworks souvenir shop, where Lazzarini occasionally fills in for the owner.
"When Interstate 40 opened in the early '70s and Route 66 died, this place turned bad," he said.
"It became," Mayor Allan Affeldt said, "a town of drunk bars. And for years, no one thought we could be anything different."Now, of course, thanks to the Eagles, it is a tourist mecca.
Funny part: The Eagles have never been to Winslow.
Actually, "Take It Easy" was written by Jackson Browne, who reportedly wrote the song after having car trouble in Winslow on his way to Sedona.
In addition, Winslow throws a Standin' On a Corner festival every year.
Hey there:
I forget where I read it, but I believe the whole “standing on a corner” thing came from the tendency of local migrant workers to go spend part of their wages at a local “Store for Men” (it has a real name that escapes me at the moment), then dude up and hang out on the corner on a Friday night hoping to attract the attention of the local females.
When I passed through Winslow, it was a Sunday afternoon, and most places (save a local diner) were closed, but I sought that place out. It was one of those things you just HAVE to do.
Somehere, in the firetrap that could be called my archives, there is a picture of me “standin on a corner in Winslow Arizona”
I must have been 10 or 11 when that song came out, but I knew one of these days I would. Didn’t know when, didn’t know why, but knew I would.
It was before the statue, but they did have a semi-translucent picture of a “girl in a flat-bed Ford” painted in one storefront window, which made it look like it was actually passing by in a reflection as the picture was snapped.
It was such a fine sight to see.
Tim
I know what you mean. I always liked the West, and I figured that I eventually would seek out that corner in Winslow, if just briefly.
Frankly, though, the real reason now to go to Winslow is to eat, sleep and hang out at La Posada. Other than the Blue Swallow Motel and a handful of other places, I can’t think of anyplace else I’d rather be on Route 66.