Whether you’re staying in Flagstaff and desire a road trip or just passing through on I-40, you’ve got to stop and visit “Standin’ on the Corner” Park (Winslow, AZ). The park is an iconic American southwest feature that brings people back to the heyday of the historic Route 66, listening to the Eagles band and their music, and re-making Winslow relevant to traffic going by on Interstate 40.
Stop here at Standin’ on the Corner Park and you won’t be disappointed. Winslow is a pretty cool small town to check out and so is the famous street corner park! Make a stop, get some food and beverages, and make sure you get an iconic souvenir photo from this pop culture park.
“Well, I’m a-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.”
The Eagles – “Take it Easy”
Eagles and their Lyrics from “Take It Easy”
There’s a great lyric from the Eagles song, “Take it Easy”, where they say, “Well, I’m standin’ on a corner in Winslow, Arizona”. This is the corner the Eagles, especially Jackson Brown and Glenn Frey, made famous!
Legend has it that Jackson Browne had car trouble and was stranded in Winslow. While stuck there, he came up with the lyric “It’s a girl, my lord, in a flatbed Ford”. That’s why you see the old Ford truck parked here.
Jackson Browne later claimed that that event actually happened at Der Wienerschitzel in Flagstaff, AZ. I guess we will never know the truth?
Nevertheless, Jackson Browne was having trouble finishing the 2nd verse of “Take it Easy”. Browne planned to record this song on his own. He enlisted Glenn Fry, who lived in the same apartment complex, to help him finish the lyrics. Glenn did indeed help and together they wrote an iconic song. They decided to go ahead and record the popular song together, and include it on the upcoming debut album for the Eagles.
This debut album, Eagles, was recorded at London’s Olympic Studio and released in 1972. It ultimately reached No. 22 on the charts and became a Platinum Album. “Take It Easy” was the Eagle’s first single, released on May 1st, 1972, and was written by Glenn Frey and Jackson Brown.
Where is the Park Located in Winslow?
The Park is located on the corner of Kinsley and East 2nd Street in the heart of Winslow, AZ.
Standin’ on the Corner Foundation
In 1997, the Standin’ on the Corner Foundation took the first steps of a long journey to develop a park at the heart of downtown Winslow to commemorate the song. The Foundation decided on two key elements. The Foundation dedicated the Park on September 10th, 1999.
Standin’ on the Corner Mural
First, a mural was created by John Pugh which is a two-story mural and shows the reflection of a girl slowing down to take a look, on the glass. The mural uses the Trompe-l’œil technique which means the artist is painting a realistic three-dimensional mural but on a two-dimensional surface.
The old J.C. Penny Rasco building where the mural was painted caught fire in 2004. It burnt down most of the building but miraculously not the east wall leaving the mural with minimal damage. They demolished the building in 2006 but left the East wall and the mural up for all to see.
“Easy” Statue
And secondly, the life-size bronze statue named “Easy”, standing in a corner with a guitar by his side. The statue was produced by the life-sized bronze statue by sculptor Ron Adamson and was inspired by the American troubadours of the 1970s.
Glenn Frey Statue
The Standin’ on the Corner Foundation placed a statue of the late Glenn Frey after he passed away on January 18, 2016. Glenn Frey was a co-writer for the “Take It Easy” song and a founding member, with Jackson Brown, of the Eagles band.
1964 Flatbed Truck
The park also contains a bright red 1964 flatbed truck parked on the curb.
Route 66 Emblem
As you are driving through town, you can’t miss the gigantic Route 66 emblem painted in the intersection of Kinsley and East 2nd Street.
A Route 66 Attraction Sign
Eagle’s Wing Artwork
This is a set of wings that looks to be made from stainless steel and placed upon the wall with “Take it Easy” above. It’s waiting for you to take a portrait. It’s very cool!!
Standin’ on the Corner Festival
An annual Standin’ on the Corner Festival is held in Winslow to celebrate Winslow and the Park. This year it occurred on September 29 – 30, 2023.
The festival offers a ton of food, drink, and activities including a beer garden, horseshoe tournament, cornhole tournament, and plenty of live music, including Eagles tribute bands, for everyone to enjoy.
Standin’ on the Corner Donor Bricks
The website at https://www.standinonthecorner.org/ was offering donor bricks with customization for sale but the website doesn’t seem to be working too now. This supported the fundraised phase by the Foundation. The fundraiser was enough to cover the cost of the mural and the “Easy” statue.
Winslow, AZ
Winslow, a town of around 9,000 residents, was founded in 1882 and is located in Northern Arizona in Navajo County. It originated as a divisional terminal for the Sante Fe Railway.
There is a lack of clarity on how it got its name. First, it most likely was named after Edward F. Winslow, the President of the St. Louis and San Francisco Rail Road. There is a second opinion being mentioned and that it could be for Tom Winslow, who was a local prospector.
The City of Winslow was the largest town in northern Arizona back in the 1960s. It had a prominent location in the north with both the railroad and historic Route 66 passing through it. Winslow is also located close to both the Navajo and Hopi Nations.
The old Route 66 originally passed through the middle of town. Unfortunately, I-40 was constructed and completely bypassed the Historic District of Winslow.
Very astutely, the town and the Standin’ on the Corner Foundation came up with the Park to take advantage of the national fame it received in the Eagles’ “Take it Easy” lyrics.
Direction to Winslow, AZ
You can find Winslow about 58 miles or 1 hour East of Flagstaff, AZ. It’s right off the I-40 exit so quick off and quick back on if in a rush.
U.S. Post Office in Winslow, AZ
The beautiful old post office in Winslow was built in 1935 and is still used today. The building was designed by Louis A. Simon. The design included 12-foot ceilings and huge windows. It’s part of the Winslow Commercial Historic District which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1989.
Old Texaco Station
This is an old Texaco Gas Station that has been partially restored to its prime.
The Old Trails Museum
The Old Trails Museum explores the history of Winslow, AZ, and the surrounding area through its exhibits and public programs. We did not have the time available so didn’t get a chance to check the museum out.
Welcome to Winslow Mural
The mural “Welcome to Winslow” is located at 2035 Frontage Road, Winslow. The mural is on a second story and faces West.
Other Winslow Pictures
Standing on the Corner Sign
This is across the street going East at the Route 66 Gift Shop.
Murals and Other Views
Murals walking East from the Free Parking Lot
This mural highlights the “Snake Dance Country”, and the 9-11 Remembrance Garden at the end of town, and includes depictions of Native Americans. It even pays homage to Wayne Troutner’s Clothing Store.
Indian Trader Mural
Yancy Katoney painted an entire alleyway mural in 2018. He references R M Bruchman Indian Trader on the northernmost part of the mural. This business closed well back in the 1980s. This mural covers the alley wall on the side of Bojo’s Grill & Sports Club building.
Sign on Walk to the Corner
Winslow is a small town so can easily walk from free parking a block or two over to the Park.
Murals across the Street from Standin’ On the Corner Park
Downtown Businesses
Motor Palace Mercantile
Unfortunately, the Motor Palace Mercantile had to close their doors. The space will be leased out.
The local businesses and government, are working together to continue to develop the historic district and keep the hundreds of thousands of visitors coming to Winslow.
Flatbed Ford Cafe
The Flatbed Ford Cafe opened its full kitchen in early August 2021 as part of the Winslow Historic District development. The business owners originally opened the cafe on June 26, 2020, with a limited selection of bakery items. So, the Martinez and Ybarra families developed this old building to provide short-term rentals in a few second-floor rooms as soon as September 2019. These families have worked hard to renovate the building and provide a thriving business in the Historic Downtown Winslow.
This building at 214 Kinsley avenue has a lot of history. It originally opened in 1908 as the City Meat Market. Shue Bow and Suey Ping Woo operated the W. Bow Meat Market and Grocery from 1933 – 1976. The rooms upstairs were in use by the family for living quarters.
In 1919, before the Meat Market and Grocery, the apartment upstairs rented out for $12 per month to single men only. Other tenants in the building included a female doctor in the mid-1920s, it also housed the Union Fuel & Transfer office, and a dental office.
ReLicRoad Brewing Company
The ReLicRoad Brewing Company was a lot of fun. This is directly across from the Standin’ on the Corner Park. We were able to enjoy a few beverages and burgers, and people-watched while relaxing in their outdoor seating area. They have around 20 beers on tap and the ones we tried were delicious. So, I would recommend them if nothing else but their variety of beer.
Again, if you’re in the area, definitely worthwhile to go check it out. So, don’t worry, you will enjoy it!! This is another example of great nice small towns throughout the USA!!
If you like this content, definitely check out Winslow’s 9-11 Remembrance Park post, which is also in Winslow, and all the other areas out of Flagstaff including attractions such as 2 Guns graffiti gas station/ KOA swimming pool and the Apache Death Cave/Pueblo Ruins, the Petrified Forest National Park, Wupatki National Monument, Walnut Canyon National Monument, Meteor Crater, and many other nice attractions near Flagstaff.
Also, check out our YouTube travel channel at Travel with D and E. You will see videos of all the attractions we are posting about on our web site.
Leave a Reply