Mr. Rabbit, the large fiberglass rabbit that serves as a mascot and photo-op for the iconic Jack Rabbit Trading Post near Joseph City, Arizona, is marking its 40th anniversary there on Friday.
Arizona travel writer Roger Naylor flagged the forthcoming milestone in a Facebook post a few days ago:
The trading post on its Facebook account hinted at a giveaway as soon as Wednesday:
Appropriately enough, a similar large jackrabbit can be seen at Henry’s Rabbit Ranch, also along Route 66 in Staunton, Illinois. Owner Rich Henry died a few months ago, but a friend is opening the site at semi-regular hours.
The rabbit mascot at Jack Rabbit Trading Post predates the fiberglass one by several decades.
Jim Taylor built Jack Rabbit Trading Post along U.S. 66 in 1949. Glen Blansett bought the business in 1967 and passed it on to his son and daughter-in-law two years later. They in turn sold it to their daughter and son-in-law, Cindy and Tony Jaquez, in 1995.
Though the big rabbit is well-known, the store probably is most famous for its iconic “Here It Is!” billboard that sits just a few feet from the business.
The old Route 66 business, off Exit 269 of Interstate 40, has inspired many travelers, including the creators of the fictional Route 66 town of Radiator Springs for the 2006 Disney-Pixar animated film “Cars.”
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I’m not going to lie, I’m very fond of Mr Rabbit. Whenever I pass through on 40, I make a point of stopping to check in on the rabbit and the billboard. If the trading post is open, I head inside and buy something because their continued existence is important to me. I like to give the yellow jackrabbit t-shirts to people know.