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Downtowner Motel / Grand Canyon Intl Hostel

19 S. San Francisco St.
Phone: x

East < GO > West

The 1920s Downtowner Auto Court later became the Nackard Inn and then the Downtowner Motel. Then in 1995 it became the Grand Canyon International Hostel.

xA large tall sign still towers over the building and neighborhood. It is one of three such tall signs erected after Route 66 was realigned in 1934 moving the Mother Road from San Francisco St. and Phoenix Ave. to the current location a block away on the other side of the railroad tracks. The only other of those three tall signs still standing is at the Motel DeBeau, a similarly tall sign was removed from the Sierra Vista Motel when a new roof was installed some years ago.

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Vintage Advertising Highlights

Early Postcard
Nackard Inn
1 Block So. of U.S. 66, 89
Center of Flagstaff, Arizona
AAA
Phone 777
50 modern motel units
Tubs and tile showers
Circulating hot water heat
Mar and Mrs. T. G. Engstrom, Managers
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1959/60 AAA Tour Book
Nackard's Downtowner
Near center at 19 S. San Francisco
24 Rooms, some two room units
24 Private Baths
Central Heat
Telephones
Radios
Phone: PRospect 4-xxxx
Two people $5.50 to $9.00

Note: Something happened between the publication of the early postcard and 1959 because the room count dropped from 50 to 24. That's a big drop unless part of the motel was eliminated or some rooms were remodeled and combined into larger units.
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x About Us We started traveling Historic U.S. Route 66 as a destination in 2009. It's like a 2,400 mile long drive back in time from Chicago to Santa Monica! more
xDid You Know: Many parts of the old 4 lane Route 66 were reverted to a 2 lane road after 66 was realigned to the interstate. In many places the abandoned lanes are still there.