The Ancient Town In Arizona That’s Loaded With Fascinating History
By Katie Lawrence|Published October 16, 2018
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Katie Lawrence
Author
Katie Lawrence is a Southeast Texas native who graduated 18th in her high school class with a GPA of 4.25. She attended college in the Houston area and began writing for OnlyInYourState in 2015.
Today, Katie writes, edits, and performs several other tasks for OnlyInYourState and has never been more passionate about a job before. Outside of work, you can likely find her curled up on with a hot cup of coffee, practicing yoga, baking, or exploring the beautiful Lone Star State (in particular, the vast and mystical West Texas desert).
Arizona is absolutely loaded with history that dates back to when dinosaurs roamed the earth, and no town has a wider range of places to explore than Holbrook. From Native American rock art to a street named after a bloody bar fight, this little town is a hidden gem begging for you to visit.
Hunter-gatherers and farmers alike began passing through the area circa 5000 BC. Rock art, former dwellings, and artifacts from these ancient peoples have been preserved by Rock Art Ranch owner Brantley Baird, who has lived on-site since 1948.
Over 3,000 petroglyphs still remain etched into the two-mile canyon, so imagining how many additional drawings have been worn away over time is mind-boggling. You'll see images of people, animals, strange symbols, and deities.
This is a Sweat Lodge used to conduct religious purification ceremonies. Individuals needing to be cleansed would enter the sauna-like structure and remain inside until a spiritual leader believed the toxins to be gone.
Also in Holbrook is a street gruesomely named after Terrill's Cottage Saloon, where a gunfight took place in 1886 that left the floors covered in a "bucket of blood." The bar stayed open throughout much of the 20th century and was a popular stop along Route 66, but it had to shut down when business quit booming.
Address: 101 Bucket of Blood St., Holbrook, AZ, 86025
Petrified Forest National Park was once located near the equator when Earth consisted of one giant landmass known as Pangaea, and fossils found here date back over 200 million years. This site spans nearly 150 square miles and extends into the Painted Desert's southern edge.
In addition to exploring the fascinating natural phenomena for yourself, there's also a museum with several fossils of impressive quality. Come face-to-face with animals and plants from early dinosaur days, a rare opportunity we're incredibly lucky to have access to here in Arizona.
Address: Petrified Forest National Park, Holbrook, AZ, 86025.
Before heading home, stay a night or two in Arizona's most nostalgic motel. Open since 1950, Wigwam Village is a time machine back to days of road trip culture - complete with classic cars permanently claiming spots in the parking lot.
