Two Guns um 1950

In 1922, Earl and Louise Cundiff paid an old time prospector named Ed Randolph $1,000.00 to relinquish his claim of 320 acres back to the U.S. Government.  The Cundiffs then filed on the claim and the area became known as Two Guns.  The Cundiffs built a store at the west end of the Canyon Diablo Bridge in 1914.  They leased some of their land in 1925 to Harry Miller. 

Miller began extensive construction along the canyon rim, hiring local natives to help build a large stone structure.  Miller began referring to himself as “Chief Crazy Thunder” and opened a small store and living quarters in the front of the building.   In the back, facing the canyon, were cages and pens filled with wild animals, including mountain lions.  More buildings were constructed including a restaurant and an Indian Curio Shop which was operated by the Hopi Chief Joe Secakuku. 

In 1926 the road was named Route 66 and in 1938 a new bridge was built over Canyon Diablo.  It can be seen from today’s I-40.  When the road was realigned, Miller rebuilt so he could move his shop closer and expand his zoo.  Miller was attacked several times by several of the animals in his zoo.  According to local rumors, when the zoo closed, the animals were all released into the surrounding desert.  Mountain Lions are still spotted around Winslow and they are rumored to be the descendants of the released animals.