Meteor City, Arizona facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Meteor City, Arizona
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Locale
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Meteor City Trading Post, Historic Route 66, Meteor City, AZ
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 Meteor City, Arizona
Location in Arizona
Meteor City, Arizona
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Arizona |
| County | Coconino |
| Elevation | 5,033 ft (1,534 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-7 (Mountain (MST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (MST) |
| Area code(s) | 928 |
| FIPS code | 04-46105 |
| GNIS feature ID | 24515 |
Meteor City was a famous stop along historic Route 66 in Arizona. It wasn't a real city, but a special trading post. You could find it west of Winslow, Arizona, right off Interstate 40 at Exit 239. It sits high up, about 5,033 feet (1,534 meters) above sea level.
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What Was Meteor City?
Meteor City was a unique trading post, not a town. It got its name from the nearby Meteor Crater, a giant hole made by a meteor hitting Earth. This trading post was one of several fun roadside stops along a 30-mile stretch of Route 66. Other nearby attractions included the old ghost town of Two Guns and the ruins of Twin Arrows Trading Post.
Early Days of the Trading Post
Meteor City first opened in 1938. It started as the Sharber Service Station, selling Texaco gas. An Arizona resident named Joe Sharber ran the station.
In 1941, a new owner named Jack Newsum, also known as "Lonesome Jack," bought the property. He made it bigger by adding a trading post. Visitors could buy gas, groceries, and souvenirs there. At one time, a sign at the entrance said "Population: 1." Later, it changed to "Population: 2" when Joe Sharber married Gloria.
The Geodesic Dome
The original building at Meteor City burned down in the 1960s. In 1979, a new building was put up to house the souvenir shop. This new building was a special dome shape called a geodesic dome. It even had a bright yellow fake Mohawk on top! Inside, you could find many interesting items like moccasins, postcards, and Baja shirts.
Unique Attractions
Meteor City was known for some quirky tourist attractions. One was the "World's Longest Map of Route 66." This map was painted by an American artist named Bob Waldmire. Another attraction was the "World's Largest Dream-catcher," which was located outside near the road. There were also five teepees on the property.
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Restoring Meteor City
In March 2017, Mike and Joann Brown bought Meteor City. They are working hard to bring the dome and the other buildings back to life. The wooden fence that held the long map of Route 66 had fallen down, and the map is now stored safely. The large dreamcatcher will also be fixed.
The Browns also plan to restore the old Justice of the Peace building. This building was where Jack Newsum's wife, Goldie, worked. She would give speeding tickets to drivers on Route 66. The Browns hoped to open the dome to visitors in late 2020. They are focusing on restoring the "city" feel of Meteor City.
