Two Guns Arizona Part Two of Three

"When my time comes, just skin me and put me up there on Trigger, just as though nothing had ever changed." - Roy Rogers 

Henry "Two Gun" Miller, who claimed to be full-blooded Apache, became interested in the possibility of establishing a business in the area and leased some land from the Cundiff's. A reported eccentric hermit who lived in the area, he was said to be wild and violent, and hostile to visitors. He advertised himself as “Chief Crazy Thunder,” and wore his long hair braided. He and his wife, with the help of area Hopi Indians, began to build pens for a zoo to house mountain lions and other desert animals. They also built a long stone structure that served as an entrance into the zoo, which also contained a small store and living quarters. Miller sold the skeletal remains of the Apache who had been killed years earlier to tourists.

The National Old Trails Road became part of U.S. Route 66 in 1926 and the flourishing town was officially renamed "Two Guns".

On March 3, 1926, Miller got into a dispute with Earle Cundiff over his lease and then shot and killed Cundiff. Miller did not go to prison because he was acquitted of murder during his trial. When Miller returned to Two Guns he was mauled by two mountain lions and was bitten by a poisonous gila dragon and became ill. He left Two Guns with a considerable amount of silver, turquoise jewelry, and merchandise and never returned.

Louise Cundiff and together with her new husband, Phillip Hersch, had to rebuild Two Guns because Route 66 was rerouted. After I-40 bypassed Two Guns, the town's fate, like many other popular Route 66 stops, was that of abandonment by traveling motorists. In 1938, the Canyon Diablo Bridge was closed and replaced by the Interstate 40 bridge.

In the 1950s, many attempts were made to bring the town back to life, but they all failed. A last attempt to revitalize the town was made in 1960. A restaurant, gift shop, gas station, motel and shower/restroom house were built. The final attempt failed and the town was abandoned for good in 1971.

Two Guns Arizona Part One of Three

"I'm not afraid to die like a man fighting, but I would not like to be killed like a dog unarmed." - Billy the Kid

According to Gladwell Richardson, the author of the book "Story of Two Guns and Canyon Diablo, Arizona", during the winter of 1879-80, Billy the Kid and his outlaw gang hid in the ruins of a stone house and corral on the west rim of Canyon Diablo, across from Two Guns.

Various homesteaders and pioneers staked claims to the area. In 1912, the National Old Trails Road, also known as the "Ocean-to-Ocean Highway", was established. It became part of the National Auto Trail system in the United States and stretched from Baltimore, Maryland to California. The road ran through Canyon Lodge (Two Guns).

In 1914, Arizona State engineer Lamar Cobb selected and surveyed the Two Guns location for the construction of a bridge across Canyon Diablo. Thomas Haddock of Williams, Arizona was granted the contract to build the bridge. He used concrete and reinforcing steel supplied by the state to erect the bridge. On March 17, 1915, Canyon Diablo Bridge opened to traffic. The bridge was part of the National Old Trails Road.

In 1914, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel B. Oldfield, settled by the side of the new road and built a square stone house that they operated as a trading post for travelers, prospectors, cowboys, sheepherders, and Indians. This site later grew into a gas station and eatery, which became known as the Canyon Lodge.

In the 1920s, Earle and Louise Cundiff purchased at least up to 320 acres of the land. The Cundiff's established a gas station and eatery at Canyon Lodge which became a busy stop for those who traveled to the west coast.

Twin Arrows Trading Post Arizona - Conclusion

"I think the American West really attracts me because it's romantic. The desert, the empty space, the drama." - Ang Lee

 I love exploring deserted towns, building, cemeteries…. To name a few. As much as graffiti is an eyesore it is also art. I love photographing all these. 

August 25th found me at Twin Arrows.

Twin Arrows Trading Post was established in the late 1940s. Two 25-foot giant arrows were placed on the property around that time. It was located on Route 66; Twin Arrows Trading Post began to fail with the construction of Interstate 40.

Twin Arrows Trading Post Arizona Part One

"The landscape of the American West has to be seen to be believed and has to be believed to be seen." - N. Scott Momaday

I love exploring deserted towns, building, cemeteries…. To name a few. As much as graffiti is an eyesore it is also art. I love photographing all these.

August 25th found me at Twin Arrows.

Twin Arrows Trading Post was established in the late 1940s. Two 25-foot giant arrows were placed on the property around that time. It was located on Route 66; Twin Arrows Trading Post began to fail with the construction of Interstate 40.