Introduction to Two Guns, Arizona
If you’re seeking a slice of eerie, photogenic Route 66 history, Two Guns, Arizona, delivers with its crumbling ruins, Wild West legends, and echoes of roadside Americana. Once a lively stop for travelers along the Mother Road, Two Guns is now a ghost town, offering a stark reminder of how quickly fortune can fade in the high desert. Its scenic location and fascinating ruins make it a must-stop for photographers, history lovers, and Route 66 travelers seeking authentic abandoned Americana.
Where is Two Guns, Arizona Located?
Two Guns is located on Interstate 40 and historic Route 66 in Coconino County, Arizona, about 30 miles east of Flagstaff and 35 miles west of Winslow. It sits near the edge of Canyon Diablo, just south of the Meteor Crater Natural Landmark, making it a convenient stop for travelers exploring Northern Arizona along Route 66.
Coordinates: 35.0943° N, 111.1023° W
The History of Two Guns and Its Connection to Route 66
Two Guns has a layered and sometimes dark history:
Indigenous History: The area around Canyon Diablo was inhabited by Native American tribes for centuries, with legends of battles and hidden caves used as hideouts. The site of the “Apache Death Cave,” where a tragic event took place in the late 1800s, is one of the grim legends associated with the area.
Wild West Era: In the 1880s, the nearby Canyon Diablo Bridge was built for the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad, and a settlement emerged near the area. The townsite that would become Two Guns began to take shape in the early 1900s.
Route 66 Boom: In the 1920s, with the establishment of Route 66, Two Guns became a bustling roadside stop offering gas, food, and curios for travelers. It featured a zoo, trading post, and even cave tours through the “Apache Death Cave” as part of its attraction draw.
Decline: A fire in 1926 damaged parts of the trading post, and legal disputes combined with the rerouting of Route 66 and later Interstate 40 led to Two Guns’ decline. By the 1970s, the site was abandoned, leaving behind the haunting ruins visitors see today.
Two Guns remains a tangible link to Route 66’s heyday, telling stories of entrepreneurship, conflict, and the harsh realities of the desert.
The Birth of the Two Guns Zoo
The Two Guns Zoo began during the boom years of Route 66 in the 1920s, when traffic along the newly designated highway turned small desert outposts into bustling roadside stops. The site’s operator, Harry E. “Chief Crazy Thunder” Miller (who styled himself as an Apache chief despite not being Native), was a showman who saw the potential in Two Guns’ location near the edge of Canyon Diablo.
The Canyon Diablo Bridge is an abandoned automobile bridge pictured below. It’s approximately 30 miles east of Flagstaff, Arrizona. The bridge carried the original Route 66 over Canyon Diablo. The ruins of Two Guns, once a prosperous tourist stop, is near the east end of the bridge about where this photo was taken.
In an effort to draw travelers off Route 66, Miller established:
- A gas station and restaurant for weary motorists.
- Tours into the Apache Death Cave, a nearby cave tied to local legends.
- A roadside zoo that housed mountain lions, bobcats, snakes, and other animals.
Miller’s zoo quickly became a curiosity along Route 66, with cages made of stone and fencing lining the dusty property. It was not uncommon for travelers to stop for gas, grab a cold drink, and pay a small fee to view the “mountain lions of the desert” before continuing on their way.
What Animals Were at the Two Guns Zoo?
The Two Guns Zoo featured:
- Mountain lions (cougars), which were considered exotic and dangerous enough to draw visitors.
- Bobcats and coyotes, native to Arizona but thrilling for out-of-state travelers.
- Snakes and lizards, often displayed in smaller enclosures.
- A petting area with goats and sheep, catering to families traveling Route 66.
Miller’s promotional approach was theatrical, often posing with the animals or using the zoo’s presence to lure travelers into cave tours and his curio shop.
The Zoo’s Relationship to Route 66
The zoo’s success was directly tied to the steady flow of Route 66 traffic during the 1920s and 1930s. Travelers viewed roadside attractions like the Two Guns Zoo as essential stops, providing entertainment, stories to take home, and a break from the long, hot drive across the Arizona desert.
Route 66’s rise brought prosperity to Two Guns, with the zoo acting as a beacon for travelers seeking novelty along their journey west or east.
However, the zoo’s fortunes mirrored Route 66’s shifting alignments and economic fluctuations. A fire in 1926 destroyed part of Miller’s facilities, leading to disputes over ownership and management of the site. Although the zoo continued for decades under various owners, the construction of Interstate 40 and the gradual decline of Route 66 traffic in the 1960s led to the abandonment of the zoo and surrounding structures.
The Decline and Ruins of the Two Guns Zoo
After the death of Harry Miller and with the decline of Route 66’s prominence, the zoo fell into disrepair. The cages, once bustling with animals and curious travelers, were left empty, the metal fencing rusting under the Arizona sun. The site was briefly revived by other entrepreneurs but could not sustain operations due to the rerouting of travelers onto the faster I-40.
The Legacy of the Two Guns Zoo
While animals no longer roam the cages at Two Guns, the site’s history as a Route 66 zoo highlights the ingenuity and sometimes strange lengths entrepreneurs would go to capture the attention of passing travelers. The zoo at Two Guns was not merely a place to see animals but a carefully crafted attraction that tied together the region’s legends, the mystery of the Apache Death Cave, and the romanticism of the American West.
For Route 66 travelers today, the Two Guns Zoo ruins offer a tangible link to the era when a roadside zoo in the desert was an exciting, essential stop on the long journey across America.
What You Will See at Two Guns
Today, Two Guns is an abandoned ghost town, but its ruins are accessible to visitors, providing an atmospheric glimpse into Arizona’s Route 66 history. Some of the notable features include:
Ruins of the Zoo: The remnants of cages that once held mountain lions, bobcats, and other desert animals for travelers to see.
The Old Gas Station: A concrete structure with graffiti, standing near the ruins of the trading post.
Apache Death Cave Entrance: The cave entrance is still visible, but visitors should not enter due to safety concerns.
Stone Ruins and Graffiti Art: Scattered foundations and walls provide haunting photo opportunities.
Nearby Canyon Diablo Bridge: Just north of Two Guns, the historic Canyon Diablo Bridge (1915) over the canyon is part of the National Register of Historic Places.
The combination of desert scenery, graffiti, and ruins makes Two Guns a photogenic stop, especially during sunrise or sunset when the desert light is dramatic.
Tips for Visiting Two Guns, Arizona
- Safety First: Watch your step around ruins and avoid entering unstable structures or the Apache Death Cave.
- Photography: Bring your camera; sunrise and sunset provide excellent lighting on the stone ruins.
- Access: The site is easily accessed from Exit 230 off I-40; park near the ruins and explore on foot.
- No Services: There are no services at Two Guns, so bring water, and be prepared for extreme heat during summer.
- Respect the Site: While it is a ghost town, it is still a historic location; take only photos and leave the site as you found it.
Final Thoughts on Two Guns, Arizona
Two Guns embodies the haunting beauty of the American Southwest and the rise and fall of Route 66 roadside stops. Whether you are a Route 66 traveler, ghost town enthusiast, or photographer seeking moody desert landscapes, Two Guns offers a window into Arizona’s layered past and the transient nature of desert life. If you want to connect with the legends and atmosphere of Route 66’s wilder side, Two Guns should be on your travel list.
