The History of Two Guns
Two Guns Arizona has a very interesting past. There is not much there now, and it continues to fade. This area has a violent and dangerous past. This site sits on the edges of the Diablo Canyon, home to the “Death Cave.” A site of the horrible mass murder of a group of Apaches by their Navajo enemies in 1878 by being burned to death in a cave and then stripped of their valuables. Billie the Kid and his crew were also known to hide out in the area. In 1880 a settlement predating “Two Guns” was established by the Santa Fe Railway. This construction town, named Diablo Canyon after the canyon nearby, was created to support a bridge-building project nearby. The town quickly grew into a lawless place visited by drifters, gamblers, and outlaws. A train heist would later turn the area into a destination for treasure hunters looking for the treasure of hidden currency, silver watches, jewelry, and diamonds. An estimated $100,000 in currency, 2,500 new silver dollars, and $40,000 in gold coins were taken as part of the robbery.
Twenty or so years later, the Santa Fe Highway was built in 1907 and loosely followed the railway. This road would cross Diablo Canyon twice and zig-zag through the area. A small store was built in the area close to the Death Cave and would later be purchased along with 320 acres of land, and a store, restaurant, and gasoline pumps would be built in 1922. At its peak, it had a Zoo and an Indian gift shop, and tours of the area were also conducted by the owner. The crude Zoo held mountain lions, cougars, Gila monsters, birds, and more; all kept in crude stone and chicken wire cages.
In 1924, Two Guns was refused as an official name, and the post office was named Canyon Lodge. The original store would burn down in 1929, and a new location would be built to align with the new Route 66. There are also stories of murder fights and many more things that go bump in the night. It was not until the 1960s that the KOA was built. Ten years later, the service station burned in 1971, which began the decline of Two Guns. Today it is a stop for tourists and artists who leave their mark
Know Before You Go
- Region: Southwest United States
- Location: Outside of Winslow, Arizona, off Highway 40 (Route 66)
- Coordinates: 35.11757984304067, -111.09648062915922
- Costs: No Fees or Permits Required
- Schedule: Open 24/7 (would be very careful at night)
- Attraction Type: Roadside
My Visit
This was one stop along many for the day in the area, including Winslow, Arizona, Meteor Crater Natural Landmark, Homolovi State Park, and Little Painted Desert. It was a chilly but beautifully sunny day with only a few clouds in the sky. I left Tucson early in the morning but not too early. The trip was only a day excursion to explore more of Arizona. I had planned a loop starting from and ending at my house in Tucson; the first stop was Two Guns. The ghost town / abandoned series of buildings allows you to walk around the remains of the old zoo, the general store, and an abandoned KOA campground. While there is no map or markings of the area, the road off the highway is fairly established; it can be traveled by car. Depending on your vehicle, I would be very careful with a lower clearance vehicle and one that is not 4×4 or all-wheel drive if it has been raining. There was lots of graffiti and trash all over the area, so watch where you step. There is plenty to wander around and see, and you could spend several hours just hunting around. I only stayed for a little time as there was still lots to see and do.
Photos From My Visit
