Arizona granted “Historic Road” status Friday to the state’s section of U.S. Route 80, the predecessor to Interstate 10.
“Arizona’s portion of this cross-county highway was an economic and cultural arterial that connected rural communities with urban cores,” the Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation said in a news release.
The two-lane highway winds its way from the New Mexico border through Douglas, Bisbee, Tombstone, St. David, Benson, Tucson, Florence, Apache Junction, Mesa, Tempe, Phoenix, Buckeye, Gila Bend and Yuma before crossing into California.
“Like Route 66 to the north, the Arizona segment of U.S. 80 shaped the West,” the foundation said.
Traveling the road, one would find restaurants, motels and tourist shops that remained popular attractions for years after the route opened in 1926.
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Arizona’s designation joins California’s, which gave a historic designation to its portion of U.S. Route 80 in 2006.
The Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation began the process in 2012 to survey and map the alignment of U.S. 80 across Arizona.
After preparing numerous documents detailing the road, the application was submitted in 2016 to start the process.
The application was approved Friday by the Arizona Department of Transportation Parkways, Historic and Scenic Roads Advisory Committee.
It was the state’s first “Historic Road” designation in about 15 years.
Demion Clinco, CEO of the Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation, said he appreciated the hard work to get the designation approved.
“The designation of this uniquely American historic highway represents years of community advocacy and a long-term commitment of dozens of community groups and stakeholders,” he said in a news release.
“This highway reflects early and mid-20th century automotive culture and connects the iconic historic communities of Southern and Central Arizona.”
State Sen. Lisa Otondo of Yuma said continued work is still needed in the state.
“While it is important to designate these unique cultural assets,” she said, “we must also continue to find ways to economically support local businesses and enhance the economies of our historic communities that make Arizona unique.”
Photos: U.S. Route 80 through Arizona designated a Historic Road
U.S. 80 in Arizona
The historic 1915 Ocean-to-Ocean Highway truss bridge over the Colorado River in Yuma Ariz. Aug. 17, 2007.
U.S. 80 in Arizona
The sign for Riviera Motor Lodge, 515 W. Miracle Mile, Tucson.
U.S. 80 in Arizona
This is an undated (circa 1956) aerial of downtown Tucson, Arizona. North Stone Avenue is in the photograph along with the Arizona Daily Star and Tucson Citizen building in the bottom left of the photograph. Also in the photo is the Pioneer Building, upper left, and the Pima County Courthouse, middle right.
U.S. 80 in Arizona
Pueblo Court, Bisbee, 1930s.
U.S. 80 in Arizona
The 1891 Pinal County courthouse is seen before a re-opening ceremony in Florence, Ariz. in 2012.
U.S. 80 in Arizona
Marsh Station Road over Cienega Creek southeast of Tucson on Sept. 11, 2018.
U.S. 80 in Arizona
Crowds at Stone and Alameda in downtown Tucson for the 1951 La Fiesta de los Vaqueros Tucson Rodeo Parade
U.S. 80 in Arizona
Autopia, Phoenix, 1931.
U.S. 80 in Arizona
Gila Station, Gila Bend, 1930s.
U.S. 80 in Arizona
Just off Interstate 10, the Howard Johnson's motor lodge was located on Benson Highway near South Park Avenue on August 14, 1972. The four-mile stretch of the Benson Highway was once a vital thoroughfare before the interstate system was created.
U.S. 80 in Arizona
Expansion of U.S. Highway 84, middle of photo, underway north of Congress St. in September, 1951. U.S. 80 is upper right.
U.S. 80 in Arizona
The new Gilpin Air Field 4,500 foot runway that was just completed at the Freeway Airport can be seen as it extends from the dark strip in the left center of the photograph in July 1958. Individual T hangars, a new administration building and a machine shop were being built. The old Gilpin hangars are on the right and to the left is the railroad and the Casa Grande Highway, now Interstate 10. Prince Road runs down beside the airport on the left and Romero Road cuts across on the right.
U.S. 80 in Arizona
Benson Highway (US 80) looking southeast from just east of 6th Ave. in 1956. The famous Sage and Sand Motel is now the Lazy 8 Motel, just east of the Silver Saddle Restaurant. The Desert Lodge, at left, is no longer. Most-likely it was sacrificed for Interstate 10.
U.S. 80 in Arizona
Spanish Trail Motel on Benson Highway, circa 1967.
U.S. 80 in Arizona
Mr. G's Diner, at 3329 E. Benson Highway, pulled travelers in regularly when Benson Highway was Tucson's main artery coming in from or toward the eastern part of the state. The building still stands, now known as Cindy Lou's Cafe. (
U.S. 80 in Arizona
This white-border postcard shows Bisbee's famous Copper Queen Hotel.
U.S. 80 in Arizona
Traffic cruises by the neon sign for the Tucson Inn, 143 W. Drachman.
U.S. 80 in Arizona
Businesses along Main Street and Subway Street in Bisbee, Ariz., includes Bisbee Grand Hotel.
U.S. 80 in Arizona
The familiar Gadsden Hotel in downtown Douglas, which opened in 1907, was designed by architect Henry Trost and also served as a meeting place for the businessmen of the day.
U.S. 80 in Arizona
The Western Hotel sign, 3218 E. Benson Hwy. Tucson, partially lit just as the sun goes down.
U.S. 80 in Arizona
Downtown Tucson buildings on Pennington Street looking west from Scott Ave towards Stone Ave, ca. 1960. Pennington Drugs is at left.
U.S. 80 in Arizona
The Tally Ho Tavern and Cocktails at 546 N. Stone Ave., in Tucson, in August, 1968.
U.S. 80 in Arizona
Based on the sign for the Country Club Swimming Pool in the background, Ruthie's Drive-Inn restaurant was in the vicinity of 2627 Benson Highway on August 14, 1972. Bypassed after Interstate 10 was opened in 1969, businesses on the Benson Highway struggled to survive. The four-mile stretch was once a vital thoroughfare before the interstate system was created.
U.S. 80 in Arizona
Cleaning those bugs off truck windshields is no easy task at the TTT Truck Terminal at Craycroft Road and Benson Highway in Tucson in June, 1966.
U.S. 80 in Arizona
Looking the part: A trucker in a T-shirt eats a sandwich in the restaurant at the TTT Truck Terminal at Craycroft Road and Benson Highway in Tucson in June, 1966.
U.S. 80 in Arizona
Employees shamelessly push the TTT mascot to the front at the TTT Truck Terminal at Craycroft Road and Benson Highway in Tucson in June, 1966.
U.S. 80 in Arizona
Horseshoe Cafe in Benson, 1940s.
U.S. 80 in Arizona
Hargis Coiurt, Bisbee, 1997
U.S. 80 in Arizona
Buckhorn Baths, Mesa, 1940.
U.S. 80 in Arizona
Kiva Lodge, Mesa, 1997.
U.S. 80 in Arizona
Diving Girl neon sigh, Mesa.
U.S. 80 in Arizona
Undated photo of U.S. 80 (Oracle Road) north of Tucson.
U.S. 80 in Arizona
Miracle Mile, Tucson, 1957
U.S. 80 in Arizona
Thunderbird Lodge, Tucson, 1958
U.S. 80 in Arizona
Bow and Arrow Motel in Yuma, 1997.,
U.S. 80 in Arizona
Bird Cage Theater, Tombstone.
U.S. 80 in Arizona
The Crystal Palace, Tombstone.
U.S. 80 in Arizona
Tucson Inn on Miracle Mile, Tucson
U.S. 80 in Arizona
Amazon Motel on Miracle Mile, Tucson
U.S. 80 in Arizona
TTT Truck Stop on Benson Highway in Tucson.
U.S. 80 in Arizona
Oracle Road, Tucson.
U.S. 80 in Arizona
Quail Inn on Oracle Road, Tucson.
U.S. 80 in Arizona
The University of Arizona Marching Band performs during the Homecoming Parade as they walk south along North Stone Avenue in October 1955.
U.S. 80 in Arizona
This is a 1950 photo of North Oracle Road bridge at the Rillito River.
U.S. 80 in Arizona
Fannie and Isidore Wiener in front of the La Siesta Hotel, Tucson, circa 1942.
U.S. 80 in Arizona
A combination of exterior lights and failing neon tubes on the Frontier Motel sign, 227 W. Drachman, part of the city's neon culture, Wednesday, May 3, 2017, Tucson, Ariz.
Contact Star reporter Shaq Davis at 573-4218 or sdavis@tucson.com. On Twitter: @ShaqDavis1
Shaq Davis
Reporter
