Today I stumbled into information related to the Hackberry General Store along Old Route 66, and an artist named Willem Bor. The route is often referred to as the “Mother Road”. The artist, fascinated by the route and old structures, set off to recreate them in model form.
If you are making a road trip from the west to Backpack Havasu Falls you will mostly likely pass right by the Hackberry General Store. Be sure to factor in some time to make a stop.
The artist info linked further in this article becomes so much more if you stop, get out, and explore the Hackberry General Store area.
Have you ever gotten to a page on the internet you have no idea how it happened? Suddenly into some obscure website that piques your interest? Subject related to something you would have never thought to go searching for it? Ah, the pleasures of modern technology. It allows you to travel the world in micro-seconds.
I have driven old sections of Route 66 over the years. I know I have been on numerous parts of it across the U.S. Chopped up pieces. Parts now off the beaten path of the much faster Interstate Highways. Though at this stage most of my recollection is isolated to some Arizona sections. Many small towns are locked in time. Seeming to stand unchanged since the time the Interstates bypassed once vibrant travel stops.
On the the subject I really wish to share. I stumbled into a blog of an artist (Willem Bor). His blog was created to show his craft of model making. Oddly he did not live in USA. But fell in love with the buildings along Old Route 66 during a visit. Many which are disappearing with time and decay. Willem Bor set off to recreate them in miniature form. In detail you may find hard to believe.
One building in particular is currently still standing and called “Hackberry’s General Store”. I have actually been there on numerous occasions, and have done my own photography.
Check out his blog link below. You can find the Hackberry General Store built in model size. Compare it to our photos on this page. Visit it in person should you have the opportunity. Then you judge how cool these model buildings are. I also love the history that is provided with each piece.
Sadly, in researching and going to his Facebook page I believe he is no longer with us since January 2017? His work and website lives on, at least for now. We can only hope he is traveling along Route 66 and comparing his work.
Link to: Route 66 Model Art – by Willem Bor
