The Twin Arrows Have Been Restored!

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In Weird Arizona, I wrote about the sad demise of Twin Arrows Trading Post, a long-lived roadside establishment east of Flagstaff known for its iconic pair of giant projectiles. When I last photographed the site in September 2005, both arrows' points were gone and only one flaking fletching remained. It looked as though the Twin Arrows would disappear forever.

Yet, when I passed them today on an excursion between book signings, I was hit with the unexpected. I assumed that, by this point, nothing would remain but two leaning utility poles. Still, I felt compelled to stop by on my way east. My jaw dropped at the sight of their Lazarus-like resurrection.

There they were, completely rebuilt and shining with a fresh coat of brightly colored paint. It was a miracle! The trading post and its connected Valentine diner were still in disrepair, but the famous arrows had been restored as I had hoped for years they would be.

A sign tacked onto the diner pointed me to www.twinarrowsaz.com, which I checked as soon as I got back to my motel. As it turns out, a group of volunteers organized by the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona and the Hopi Indian tribe, which now owns the property, cleaned up the site and rebuilt the arrows this past September.

According to their site, the two organizations hope to continue preservation efforts, eventually restoring the trading post itself and creating an "outdoor market place" and a staging area for Native American dance performances.

They are currently taking donations in the form of money and ideas. I wish them the absolute best in their efforts.