The metal archway, over the highway in this photo, says, "Williams---1881---Gateway to the Grand Canyon". It has Arizona's famous sun beaming down on it, as it sits in a plateau, strewn with pine trees
The train depot shown in this photo, is significant because it relates to one of the first occurrences to make Williams grow, and that was its location along a train route between Chicago and the West Coast, that ran in the late 1800's. Passengers coming by train to Williams (the closest stop to the Grand Canyon South Rim) needed reliable transportation to continue the next part of their journey, that would actually get them to Grand Canyon Village. Thus, the first passenger train from Williams to the Grand Canyon, ran on September 17, 1901. Then, in 1908, the Santa Fe Railway built a new depot in Williams, that included one of the first Harvey House hotels. The building above (which sits on the opposite side of the tracks from the one built in 1908) was retained, and now serves as the Williams Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center. 
This photo shows one of the Grand Canyon Railway passenger trains, which continues to carry passengers to the famous national park.
Engine 539 was on static display when I made this visit to Williams, Arizona. It is significant because it is one of only 20 remaining steam locomotives in the USA. It was acquired by Grand Canyon Railway in 2007. The engine was built in 1917 in Dunkirk, New York, at an original cost of $36,631. It weighs 266 tons, which includes the 41 tons of water needed to generate steam. It was retired in 1957, after 174,378 miles without a major accident or derailment. (It is interesting to note that after I took this photo, the engine was sold to the Port of Katama in Washington state for $163,000. Another $100,000 fee was incurred to transport it to the Port of Katama Interpretive Center. That town wanted this historical relic to help tell the story of why the Port of Katama, on the northwestern coast, had the nickname "Rail to Sail" .)
In addition to its fame as a transportation hub for railway travel, Williams is also famous for another means of transportation---Route 66 Highway that stretched from Chicago to Santa Monica. 
This mural records the fact that Williams was the last town on Route 66 to be bypassed by Interstate 40, which happened on October 13, 1984. Although much of the rest of Interstate 40 was completed a decade earlier, lawsuits kept the construction of I-40 through Arizona from continuing. Finally, judgements called for the state to build 3 exits into Williams, from the Interstate, which helped the town to continue to thrive on tourism. The next year, US Route 66 was decommissioned. 
Route 66 souvinirs are abundant, like this travel bag that shows several of the cities the high traversed. One of the nicknames the highway carries is "The Mother Road", and what mother would not be delighted to own such a colorful reminder of their trip, as they sing the song, "Get your kicks, on Route Sixty-Six!"
Besides Williams being a fun place to visit for Route 66 enthusiasts and Grand Canyon tourists, the kayak strapped on top of the car references the fact that there are several lakes around Williams, where visitors cannot only kayak, but fish and swim as well. The familiar logo of the Route 66 Highway sign attached to the lamppost, is along the Main Street of Williams, Arizona. In fact, the highway became synonymous with the Main Street of dozens of U.S. cities west of the Mississippi, and is the reason for another one of its nicknames---Mainstreet of America. 
This mannequin dressed in western attire might represent the man who is sometimes called "The Father of Route 66". That was a Tulsa, Oklahoma guy called Cyrus Avery, who lobbied tirelessly to get the highway 66 construction plans approved and implemented. Not surprisingly, his plan called for Route 66 to go through Oklahoma!
The bright red table umbrellas, and elevated red vintage hot rod coupe, make it impossible to miss seeing Cruisers Route 66 Cafe, on a busy corner along Main Street/Historic Route 66. They are famous for their live music performances, and from what I heard from the musician who was playing and singing when I was there, their reputation for a fun, happening place is well deserved!
Since both the men in this photo have long gray hair, and long gray beards and cowboy hats on---it is hard to tell which one is the tourist, and which one is the historical re-enactor. My guess is that the one with an ivory-handled sixshooter, in a fancy leather holster, is the one who is part of the entertainment!
To be sure, a visitor will no doubt encounter some "characters" as they stroll the town, but the caricature artist actually fits in with the historical theme of this western frontier town. That is because, before photography was widely available, caricature art was the "visual aid of choice" used by newspapers, and other printed communications. A caricature is a drawing of a real person which distorts or exaggerates certain features, but still retains a likeness. (My husband and I once sat for a caricature artist, upon arriving in Sturgis, South Dakota, via our Harley-Davidson motorcycle. So naturally, the artist drew us as a couple with two giant heads, attached to little tiny bodies, and perched atop a motorcycle!)
The real horse and authentic buggy, are a good way of getting visitor's attention to alert them to the nightly (and free!) Wild West Show that is held in the historic area of Williams most every evening during tourist season. 
I first encountered this attractive lady in the Williams Chamber of Commerce/Visitor Center earlier in the day, dressed in business attire. She was the one that urged me not to miss the free western entertainment that would be happening at 7 pm that night. Later in the evening, she recognized me in the crowd, and came over to chat, while thanking me for attending their event. I was glad she recognized me, because I certainly did not recognize her! She had gone from professional work clothes, to a western-themed calico long dress and different hair style! She told me that members of the chamber of commerce volunteer to dress in historical clothing to assist with the Wild West Show. For more information about planning your trip this area, you can phone the chamber at 928-635-4061, or visit their website at www.ExperienceWilliams.com
You might call this "Theater in the Round", since a circle is marked off in the street for the Wild West skit, and it is a large enough area that most everyone has a "front row 'seat' ---or standing place" to view the actors.
This little boy actually did have a front row seat, as he sat on the shoulders of his father! Likewise, his father's head provided a nice armrest! Looking back at their history, the Wild West show got its start before movies were available. They consisted of short entertainment skits that would go over historic gunfights by re-enactors. They advertised as being a show that would thrill young and old alike! 
The pine tree needles framing this photo of the Williams, Arizona entrance sign, provide the opportunity to mention that Arizona is one of the few states in the USA where someone who is VERY industrious, patient, and extremely frugal, can harvest their very own pine nuts! (several on-line sights sell nuts, and when I checked their price, they showed one pound of pine nuts costs $21 per pound; compare this to a pound of pecan halves, for $8 per pound!)
The pine cones must be gathered when they are still green, then spread out to dry for a very long period. Then their hard shells must be cracked open to pick out the tiny little pine seed. All this must be done INDIVIDUALLY, BY HAND! The process has not been mechanized, which explains why pine nuts cost several times more per pound, than pecans. For this reason, the majority of the pine nuts one sees for sale in the USA have been harvested in other countries, where labor is cheaper. However, for those who are very particular about knowing where their food comes from, keep Arizona in mind as a location where you can "do it yourself"! (If you are curious, just put "harvesting pine nuts" in your Internet search engine, and you will never again complain about the high price of pine nuts!)Since harvesting your own pine nuts is a very laborious process, requiring some unpleasantness and discipline, I am using this photo as the visual aid for one of my First Place 4 Health memory verses that says, "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." Hebrews 12:11 I can assure you, having pine nuts sprinkled on my salad, while enjoying a glorious sunny day in Williams, Arizona, gave me "MILES OF SMILES"! Tricia
