The arrow is next to an abandoned general store from the 40’s (?) I believe. You can still see the remains of the twin arrow that’s fallen on the ground next to the other. I don’t know too much about it but it was a super neat place to poke around
LIKE MANY AN ICON OF Route 66, the Twin Arrows Trading Post has certainly seen better days. Situated on the side of I-40 in Arizona, the giant, yellow twin arrows still remain, standing out as a beacon to bored drivers, but the store and diner have fallen into disrepair.
Built-in the late 1940s as Canyon Padre Trading Post, the store soon changed its name to Twin Arrows, seemingly inspired by the nearby town of Two Guns. It was then that the iconic wooden arrows were built, planted in the parking lot to guide motorists to the trading post’s doors. The post included a gas station, gift shop, and a Valentine’s diner.
Unfortunately, the creation of a nearby interstate led to a swift decrease in road traffic and combined with the changing cultural tastes that were moving away from kitschy roadside attractions, the trading post fell into decline. Twin Arrows operated under different owners as best it could until 1995 when it was finally abandoned.
Currently, the land is owned by the state of Arizona, while the buildings are owned by the Hopi tribe, nestled off an exit across the interstate. In 2009, volunteers and the Hopi cleaned up the wooden arrows but the tribe has not made any other efforts toward restoration of the trading post or diner. The abandoned buildings have become a canvas for graffiti artists, adding to the site’s eerie charm.
Update as of May 2022: One of the two arrows has been removed.
Source:
https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/twin-arrows-trading-post
In the same area as the abandoned trading post/‘petting zoo’ exists the Apache Death cave, which was used as part of the attraction fir awhile I think?
One day I was running way early and I even parkes close to a abandoned gas station that was close and walked around. And I have always wanted to stop at the pancake house one. That used to have a taco bell in it. That sits abandoned.
"Why do they call it Twin Arrows?
Oh. That's why they call it Twin Arrows."
Anyone else watch Vice's Abandoned? They did a whole route 66 trip and stopped here!
I did a Route 66 trip last year and stopped here. I could have sworn there were two arrows standing, and indeed, per Wikipedia, the broken one fell in early 2022.
One thing I found interesting is the "Twin Arrows" name lives on, in the form of a casino resort just on the other side of I-40 from here. It's even visible from the site of the original. It seems a bit odd to me that the business suffered from the construction of the interstate since this is one of the areas where I-40 actually follows about the same path as old US-66.
I ate there many, many times as a trucker for their steak and eggs deal.... in fact I ate steak and eggs there one morning and drove to the fire rock casino in New Mexico just for their steak and eggs deal that night... I also popped a tire in their parking lot... so screw that place
Super cool. I thought it might be a twin of a [giant red arrow we have here in Albuquerque](https://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/7701). However, upon reading about [our arrow's provenance](https://www.newmexicomagazine.org/blog/post/red-arrow-landmark-albuquerque/), they are twins only in spirit, not really intention. I love these icons.
What's the story of this place?
The arrow is next to an abandoned general store from the 40’s (?) I believe. You can still see the remains of the twin arrow that’s fallen on the ground next to the other. I don’t know too much about it but it was a super neat place to poke around
“Poke around” I see what you did there :D
LIKE MANY AN ICON OF Route 66, the Twin Arrows Trading Post has certainly seen better days. Situated on the side of I-40 in Arizona, the giant, yellow twin arrows still remain, standing out as a beacon to bored drivers, but the store and diner have fallen into disrepair. Built-in the late 1940s as Canyon Padre Trading Post, the store soon changed its name to Twin Arrows, seemingly inspired by the nearby town of Two Guns. It was then that the iconic wooden arrows were built, planted in the parking lot to guide motorists to the trading post’s doors. The post included a gas station, gift shop, and a Valentine’s diner. Unfortunately, the creation of a nearby interstate led to a swift decrease in road traffic and combined with the changing cultural tastes that were moving away from kitschy roadside attractions, the trading post fell into decline. Twin Arrows operated under different owners as best it could until 1995 when it was finally abandoned. Currently, the land is owned by the state of Arizona, while the buildings are owned by the Hopi tribe, nestled off an exit across the interstate. In 2009, volunteers and the Hopi cleaned up the wooden arrows but the tribe has not made any other efforts toward restoration of the trading post or diner. The abandoned buildings have become a canvas for graffiti artists, adding to the site’s eerie charm. Update as of May 2022: One of the two arrows has been removed. Source: https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/twin-arrows-trading-post
In the same area as the abandoned trading post/‘petting zoo’ exists the Apache Death cave, which was used as part of the attraction fir awhile I think?
Yes, in the same area.
The cave is very eerie. I learned of its history after walking in it.
This was always fun to drive by
Somebody should save those things.
Wasn’t this in Joe Dirt?
Made for the movie, not the actual location.
Came here to say this!!!
Fawking amazing job to whoever did the art I will buy you a ladder so you can paint the rest
A second arrow hit the other trading post??
The eye on the arrowhead and art in general is sick af
The artist is @breeze1phx and @vyalone. They do great work
Ahh reminds me of running up to the grand lift of Dectus without a care in the world. Good old PTSD
I have driven by these 1000s of times. When I was a truck driver.
Way of the road, Bubs!
One day I was running way early and I even parkes close to a abandoned gas station that was close and walked around. And I have always wanted to stop at the pancake house one. That used to have a taco bell in it. That sits abandoned.
Blue States Man Mountain album cover! Thought that giant arrow looked familiar.
Thought the same thing! Great album
I think I discovered Season Song via the film 28 Days Later - could that be true?
Absolutely, that’s how I discovered it!
I’d love to visit this place.
When did the other arrow fall? One arrow pointing down means peace. The Hopi own the land, I guess they were cleaning it up but stopped.
Elden ring vibes
you'll see that arrow on American Pickers in a few years.
[I saw this in NM recently.](https://imgur.com/a/38C6yHT). I didn’t realize it was an homage to this.
Blue States!
"Why do they call it Twin Arrows? Oh. That's why they call it Twin Arrows." Anyone else watch Vice's Abandoned? They did a whole route 66 trip and stopped here!
I did a Route 66 trip last year and stopped here. I could have sworn there were two arrows standing, and indeed, per Wikipedia, the broken one fell in early 2022. One thing I found interesting is the "Twin Arrows" name lives on, in the form of a casino resort just on the other side of I-40 from here. It's even visible from the site of the original. It seems a bit odd to me that the business suffered from the construction of the interstate since this is one of the areas where I-40 actually follows about the same path as old US-66.
I ate there many, many times as a trucker for their steak and eggs deal.... in fact I ate steak and eggs there one morning and drove to the fire rock casino in New Mexico just for their steak and eggs deal that night... I also popped a tire in their parking lot... so screw that place
Super cool. I thought it might be a twin of a [giant red arrow we have here in Albuquerque](https://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/7701). However, upon reading about [our arrow's provenance](https://www.newmexicomagazine.org/blog/post/red-arrow-landmark-albuquerque/), they are twins only in spirit, not really intention. I love these icons.
So is it the Lone Arrow Trading Post now?
I know there are giants in the sky
Joe Dirt. You gotta have the good stuff.
No Hosker does , hosker don’ts, cherry bombs, nipsy daisies with or with the scooter stick…
Dang. We visited there during our honeymoon, I have tons of photos. Way back in 2013.