This Fun Musical Landmark in Winslow Is a Perfect Arizona Road Trip Detour

“Well, I'm a-standin' on a corner in Winslow, Arizona, and such a fine sight to see. It's a girl, my Lord, in a flatbed Ford slowin' down to take a look at me."

These familiar lyrics conjure a feeling of nostalgia for a simpler era. It was back when the Wild West was still wild, and road trips and live music were a day’s adventure. Jackson Browne and Eagles co-founder Glenn Frey wrote the iconic song, “Take It Easy in 1971.” It was released as the Eagles’ first single in 1972 and skyrocketed to popularity as one of their most famous songs. 

The words have since been sung millions of times. But many folks don’t know that the words are based on a true story of Jackson Browne once getting stranded in Winslow on his own road trip adventure. In the 1960s, Winslow was the largest town in northern Arizona, just off Route 66. It was a hub of tourism and energy. But when highway I-40 opened and bypassed the city, business, particularly tourism and hospitality, was hit hard.   

Although “Take it Easy” wasn’t written about any particular corner in town, today there’s a monument in tribute to this experience that inspired one of the most iconic songs of a generation.  In 1999, “Standing on the Corner Park” was founded at the intersection of Route 66 and North Kinsley Avenue in the center of town.

It turned the city into a center for tourism once again, for folks who wanted to see the city that inspired these famed lyrics and visit the landmarks commemorating its history. Today, Winslow and Standin' on the Corner Park can be an excellent detour on a road trip along I-40 in Arizona. It’s estimated that up to 100,000 people visit this landmark annually.

The park features various art installations that visitors can admire or immerse themselves in and take photos of. You might first notice the enormous painted highway shield of Route 66 on the street. Then, the bright red 1960 Ford flatbed truck, which is parked on the side of the road, catches your attention. The denim-clad bronze statue created by sculptor Ron Adamson, standing on the corner, roughly resembles Jackson Brown himself, as in the words to the song. 

The statue, named “Easy,” is meant to represent all songwriters. Shortly after Glenn Frey died in 2016, his statue was also added to the park in his honor. This entire memorial setup is backed by artist John Pugh's mural of a girl slowing down to look at him. 

Those seeking a particular time to visit should wait for September, when Winslow hosts its annual Standin’ on the Corner Festival, which features live music, craft vendors, and food trucks (as well as fellow Eagles fans worldwide).  

Stopping in Winslow itself can be a fun detour on a historic Route 66 Road Trip in Arizona. Stop into La Posada Hotel, which dates back to 1929 and is a former Santa Fe Railroad hotel. Spend time learning about the history of this beautiful work of architecture. Here, you can spend a night or just grab a drink at the storied Turquoise Room and wander the gorgeous grounds to admire its design.

After you've learned all about music history through exploring this fun memorial tribute in Winslow, Arizona, don't miss visiting the other fun hidden gem destinations found across the Grand Canyon State. Check out one of the dozens of other epic road trips in Arizona, which take travelers beyond an "ordinary" adventure.