The Standin’ on a Corner Park on Route 66 in Winslow, Ariz., is marking its 10th year, reports Cronkite News Service.
Winslow was forever put on the map by two verses (“Well I was standin’ on a corner in Winslow, Arizona, such a fine sight to see / It’s a girl, my Lord, in a flatbed Ford slowin’ down to take a look at me”) from a Jackson Browne-Glenn Frey song, “Take It Easy,” which became a big hit for The Eagles in 1972.
… [B]usiness owners noticed people posing for pictures on random street corners. Eventually they decided to capitalize on Winslow’s fame.
Standin’ on the Corner Park opened in September 1999, featuring artist Ron Adamson’s bronze statue of a man and his guitar and a mural by painter John Pugh depicting a young woman in a red flatbed Ford.
Since then, plenty of tourists have slowed down to take a look — and to spend some money while they’re here.
“There’s no doubt, 10 years later, that has been a great draw for people to come to Winslow,” Hall said. “Some people will venture to say it’s put Winslow back on the map.”
The tourists are a significant source of income for the city, which has around 10,000 residents. Hall said there’s no way of knowing exactly how many tourists pull into town, but the evidence is on the corner.
“I’ve seen people 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” he said. “I mean 4 o’clock in the morning — they’re out there taking pictures. They happen to be driving down the freeway.”
The influx of tourists has enabled the city to refurbish an old trading post as the Chamber of Commerce and visitor center. The city also plans to update its downtown with new landscaping, a large Route 66 shield and an outdoor amphitheater.
Winslow also hosts an annual Standin’ on a Corner Park Festival each September.
Frankly, I’m a bit surprised that Winslow took so long in putting up a monument. I’m sure folks were pulling off Interstate 40, looking for that corner, many years before 1999.