The last town on Route 66 to be bypassed by the interstate highway system
In short: Williams, Arizona, once served as the final holdout against the modern interstate. For years, legal battles kept Interstate 40 from encircling the town, preserving its status as a vital stop on the legendary Route 66. When the bypass finally opened in 1984, it marked the end of an era.
Founded in 1881 and named for the mountain man Bill Williams, the town of Williams established itself as a hub for ranching, lumber, and the railroad. Its proximity to the Grand Canyon—connected by a 60-mile spur line completed in 1901—cemented its identity as the Gateway to the Grand Canyon. By the mid-20th century, the town became synonymous with the automobile-touring culture of US Highway 66, the so-called Main Street of America.
The town's relationship with the interstate system was defined by friction. As the federal government pushed to complete Interstate 40, Williams resisted, leading to protracted lawsuits that prevented the highway from being built around the community. These legal challenges were only resolved after the state agreed to construct three dedicated exits for the town. Once the settlements were reached, the suits were dropped, and the bypass was completed on October 13, 1984.
The opening of the bypass was a watershed moment, with newspapers reporting it as the essential end of US 66. The following year, the historic route was officially decommissioned. Despite this shift, Williams has successfully leveraged its history to maintain its relevance. Today, the town remains a tourist destination, featuring a historic downtown district listed on the National Register of Historic Places and continuing to thrive on the legacy of the Old West and the heyday of the 1950s and 60s.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Find Things to Do In Williams, AZ - City of Williams, AZ
- Also: Williams, Arizona | Advisory Council on Historic Preservation
- Also: Williams, Arizona
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