Benjamin Hager, a multimedia journalist at the Las Vegas Review-Journal, over the weekend uploaded this nearly 4-minute video about Angel “The Guardian Angel of Route 66” Delgadillo of Seligman, Arizona.
As you’ll see, Delgadillo, even at age 91, remains a compelling figure.
The Angel of Route 66 from Benjamin Hager on Vimeo.
Delgadillo helped found the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona and the organization’s annual Fun Run car cruise. He also lobbied the state to declare Route 66 in his state as a historic highway. He shepherded these things to help bring back visitors to Seligman after the town was bypassed by Interstate 40.
Improbably, Delgadillo himself became a tourist attraction because of his tireless enthusiasm, hospitality and vivid memories of what happened to Seligman after the bypass. Thousands of people each year drop by to visit him at his barbershop, which mostly was converted into a Route 66-themed gift shop.
He’s slowed down a little and mostly lets other family members run his shop. But he’s still out there nearly every day.
I’d venture to guess Delgadillo is one of the three most consequential figures in Route 66 history — the others being Michael Wallis, because of his bestselling “Route 66: The Mother Road,” and Cyrus Avery, who essentially willed U.S. 66 into existence.
(Screen-capture image from video of Angel Delgadillo)
Happy to say I have met and talked with Angel a number of times as I traveled from CA to CO. Always make a point to stop in ans say hi. Great man!!!
In my opinion, the tile of the video is spot on. I even called him that when I met him and he is so sweet and humble that he said it wasn’t necessary. I’m blessed to have met and visited with him and even luckier to have gotten a shave from him. I can’t say thank you enough Angel for doing what you did. God bless you my friend!!