Joseph City, Arizona: A Forgotten Treasure on Route 66

Introduction to Joseph City, Arizona

Tucked between Winslow and Holbrook in northeastern Arizona, Joseph City is a small desert town with a big story. With its roots in Mormon pioneer settlement and its rise during the golden age of Route 66, Joseph City invites travelers to step off the interstate and into the past. Though modest in size, this quiet community offers glimpses of vintage Americana, ghost signs, and the enduring spirit of the American West.

A Brief History of Joseph City

Joseph City was founded in 1876 by a group of Mormon pioneers led by Lot Smith. Originally called Allen’s Camp, then St. Joseph, it was finally renamed Joseph City in the early 1900s to avoid confusion with a town of the same name in Missouri.

Located along the Little Colorado River, settlers built canals, homes, and schools despite challenging conditions such as floods and desert heat. Today, Joseph City is the oldest Mormon settlement in Arizona that’s still inhabited, and its frontier heritage continues to shape the town’s culture.

Weather in Joseph City, Arizona

Joseph City sits at approximately 5,000 feet above sea level, offering a mild desert climate:

Spring (Mar–May): 60–80 °F (15–27 °C); ideal for travel
Summer (Jun–Aug): 85–95 °F (29–35 °C); dry heat
Fall (Sep–Nov): 65–80 °F (18–27 °C); crisp and sunny
Winter (Dec–Feb): 40–55 °F (4–13 °C); chilly mornings, occasional snow

Tip: Even in summer, nighttime temps drop sharply—pack layers year-round.

Route 66 in Joseph City: A Mother Road Legacy

Joseph City found itself along U.S. Route 66 when the highway was commissioned in 1926, running right through town on what is now Main Street (Old US-66). For decades, Joseph City thrived as a rest stop for motorists, with diners, motor courts, gas stations, and trading posts welcoming travelers on the long haul through northern Arizona.

At its peak in the 1950s and ‘60s, the town boasted multiple motels, a Whiting Bros. gas station, and family-owned businesses like Ella’s Frontier Trading Post and the legendary Jackrabbit Trading Post. Though many establishments faded after the I-40 bypass in the 1970s, Joseph City remains an atmospheric stop along the historic route.

The Alignments of Route 66 Through Joseph City, Arizona: A Detailed History

Joseph City, Arizona—once a modest agricultural settlement known for its Mormon pioneer roots—played an important role along U.S. Route 66, particularly from the 1920s through the 1970s. Though the town is small, Route 66 passed through Joseph City on multiple alignments, each reflecting the evolution of transportation infrastructure in northern Arizona. Here’s how the Mother Road moved through Joseph City across the decades:

Original Alignment (1926–1937): The Dirt Road Era

When Route 66 was first established in 1926, the road through Joseph City followed a gravel and dirt path along what is now Main Street and Old Route 66, connecting Holbrook to Winslow. This alignment entered Joseph City from the east via present-day Westover Avenue and followed Main Street (then US-66) through the center of town before continuing west toward Ella’s Frontier Trading Post and eventually on to Winslow.

The road was narrow, winding, and often difficult to navigate, particularly in wet conditions.
This alignment ran directly through the heart of town, supporting local businesses like cafes, gas stations, and motor courts.

Key Features on This Alignment (1926–1937):

Early trading posts and tourist stops
Joseph City’s original Whiting Bros. gas station
Early motels and the schoolhouse on Center St

Paved Realignment (1937–1952): The Golden Years

By the late 1930s, the federal and state governments began paving Route 66 across Arizona. In Joseph City, this included improving and straightening the roadbed while maintaining the general east-west orientation through town.

The alignment was slightly realigned for better grades and curves, but still passed through Joseph City along Main Street.
Businesses thrived during this period due to increased automobile traffic and wartime mobility.
The famed Jackrabbit Trading Post, established in 1949, emerged just east of town during this era.

Key Additions During This Period:

Ella’s Frontier Trading Post (c. 1940s) at the western end of town
Sun ‘n Sand Motel and Trading Post Motel on Main Street
Larger Whiting Bros. filling station with a garage

Improved Two-Lane Alignment (1952–1970s): Pre-Interstate Modifications

By the 1950s, with vehicle travel booming, Route 66 saw continued upgrades across Arizona. In Joseph City, the route remained a two-lane blacktop through town, though with minor curve easements and improved drainage.

The road continued to follow Main Street, with smoother transitions into and out of town.
This was the heyday of Joseph City’s Route 66 businesses, with dozens of travelers stopping daily.
Roadside neon signs, diners, and curio shops characterized this era.

However, as traffic grew, plans began forming for a controlled-access Interstate highway—and Joseph City’s Route 66 days were numbered.

Interstate Bypass (1970s–Present): The End of an Era

In the early 1970s, the construction of Interstate 40 led to the bypassing of many small towns along Route 66, including Joseph City. The I-40 bypass was built just south of the original US-66 alignment, with a new interchange at Exit 274 providing access to town.

With traffic now diverted to the freeway, Joseph City’s once-thriving Route 66 businesses declined rapidly.
Many motels and gas stations closed or fell into disrepair.
Route 66 was officially decommissioned in Arizona in 1985, but Joseph City retains much of the old roadbed and several historic sites.

Present-Day Remnants of Route 66 in Joseph City

Today, visitors can still trace the old Route 66 path through Joseph City by driving along Main Street and Old US-66. Several landmarks from the various alignments are still visible:

Jackrabbit Trading Post (still open)
Ella’s Frontier Trading Post (abandoned but intact)
Old Whiting Bros. gas station ruins
Ghost signs and abandoned motels along Main Street
Segments of Route 66 pavement and curbing, especially between Joseph City and Winslow

Route 66 Attractions in Joseph City

Jackrabbit Trading Post

Address: 3386 US-66, Joseph City, AZ 86032

Perhaps the most famous Route 66 stop in town, this quirky gift shop has welcomed travelers since 1949. Known for its “Here It Is” billboard and giant jackrabbit statue where visitors pose for photos.

Ella’s Frontier Trading Post (Historic, Closed)

Address: Old Route 66 at the west end of town (near I-40 Exit 274)

Once a bustling restaurant and curio shop, Ella’s was run by the colorful Ella Blackwell. Today, the weathered building still stands—featuring fading murals and neon signage.

Old Joseph City Schoolhouse

Address: Center St and Westover Ave

An early 20th-century adobe building symbolizing the town’s pioneer roots. No longer in use, but visible from the road and worth a photo stop.

Geronimo Trading Post

5372 Geronimo Rd, Joseph City, AZ

A large gift shop & restaurant with what they call the worlds largest piece of petrified

Abandoned Motels and Gas Stations

Address: Scattered along Main St (Old Route 66)

Drive slowly through town to spot vintage motel shells, rusted signage, and the ruins of old gas stations that once lined the road in Route 66’s prime.

Lodging in Joseph City on Route 66

Joseph City currently has no operational motels, but these nearby Route 66 accommodations are excellent choices:

Wigwam Motel
Address: 811 W Hopi Dr, Holbrook, AZ 86025
Famous for teepee-shaped rooms. A must for Route 66 fans!
Brad’s Desert Inn
Address: 301 E Hopi Dr, Holbrook, AZ 86025
Retro-style motel with neon charm and friendly service.
OK RV Park & Campground
Address: Off Old Route 66 near Main St, Joseph City
Offers RV hookups, tent camping, and desert quiet.

Places to Eat on Route 66 in Joseph City

Dining options are limited, but there are a few unique stops:

Jackrabbit Trading Post (Snacks Only)

Address: 3386 US-66, Joseph City
Sells packaged snacks, candy, and drinks for the road.

Ella’s Frontier Trading Post (Historic Only)

Address: West end of Old Route 66
Now closed, but once offered home-cooked meals to travelers in the 1940s–70s.

Nearby Options (Holbrook – 15 min east)

Butterfield Stage Co Steakhouse – 609 W Hopi Dr, Holbrook
Romo’s Restaurant – 121 W Hopi Dr, Holbrook

Tips for Visiting Joseph City

Fuel up ahead of time – No open gas stations in town.
Travel in spring or fall for the best temperatures and lighting.
Photographers: Visit during golden hour for stunning shots of Ella’s and abandoned motels.
Respect private property – Many historic sites are on private land.
Bring snacks and water, especially if heading west to the Petrified Forest.

Classic Motels & Restaurants from Route 66’s Heyday

Here’s a look at what once made Joseph City a bustling Route 66 stop:

Ella’s Frontier Trading Post

Address: Old Route 66 near Exit 274
Known for its hand-painted signs, hearty meals, and Navajo jewelry. Opened in the 1940s, closed in the 1980s.

Sun ‘n Sand Motel

Address: Main St, near Center St
Classic mid-century motor court. Closed in the 1970s. Structure still visible.

Trading Post Motel

Address: Just east of the Jackrabbit Trading Post
Family-run motel that served Route 66 tourists for decades.

Whiting Bros. Gas Station

Address: Corner of Main St and Richards Rd
Part of a once-thriving chain across Route 66. The signage and layout remain.

Old Gas Station

Address: exit by Jack Rabbit Trading Post
South side of I-40 at exit 269 by Jack Rabbit

Popular Attractions Near Joseph City

Petrified Forest National Park – 30 mins east
Painted Desert – Inside Petrified Forest
Winslow, AZ – 30 mins west; includes “Standin’ on the Corner” Park
Meteor Crater – 45 mins west
Little Painted Desert County Park – 20 mins north

Final Thoughts on Joseph City, Arizona

Joseph City may not draw crowds, but that’s part of its charm. It offers the quiet nostalgia of forgotten highways, desert beauty, and a touch of Old West grit. Whether you’re chasing Route 66’s golden past or simply enjoying the silence of the high desert, this town invites you to slow down, snap a few photos, and take in the echoes of a bygone era.