Seligman, AZ: The Real-Life Radiator Springs
Learn about the community that brought Route 66 back to life
Inspiration for Pixar’s “Cars” and Route 66 revival
Pixar’s "Cars" helped put Route 66 back on the map when it premiered in 2005. The film’s cozy town of Radiator Springs drew inspiration from a number of local places.
Spotted in the movie
The tractors wandering through town and invading a store in Radiator Springs are a likely homage to wild burros that roam Oatman, another town along Arizona's Route 66. The forest road that Sally and Lightning McQueen drive along resembles the highways winding through the Kaibab National Forest west of Flagstaff.
It's generally agreed, however, that the true basis for Radiator Springs was Seligman, AZ. John Lasseter, director of the first two "Cars" films, visited Seligman when conducting research for the film. The locals he met served as his inspiration.
American Buildings (1947-09) by Andreas FeiningerLIFE Photo Collection
A tiny town with a giant legacy on the Mother Road
Originally founded as a railroad stop, the Seligman train yard grew into a large junction because of the flat land. The town grew with the opening of Route 66, and was home to a Harvey House, a hospitality business owned by railroad hospitality tycoon Fred Harvey.
Once a major tourist draw, the opening of I-40 devastated the small town.
Meet the people keeping Route 66 alive
Seligman has more ties to Radiator Springs than its appearance and home-y vibe. Sally’s moving speech about the death of the town after the interstate's construction was directly inspired by Seligman notable, Angel Delgadillo.
Hometown hero
Delgadillo runs a barbershop in Seligman, and when the interstate cut Seligman out of the route of travel, he took action instead of watching his town die.
Historic Route 66Arizona Preservation Foundation
Making a mark
“We weren’t going to take ‘no’ for an answer,” Delgadillo remembered in a 2006 interview with Pixar. “Before you knew it, we had formed the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona.”
The association was founded in 1987. By December of the same year, the state gave Route 66 its historic marker.
For his outstanding work in promoting Route 66, Delgadillo has been called "The Father of the Mother Road," "The Guardian Angel of Route 66," and "The Ambassador."
Delgadillo has received other awards for his long-standing work to save his town. For example, he received an Arizona Governor's Heritage Preservation Honor Award in 2015. Then in 2023, he traveled to Washington, D.C. to receive the President's Award for National Leadership in Historic Preservation from the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Watch Delgadillo discuss his fight to save his hometown in this National Trust for Historic Preservation video celebrating his 2023 President’s Award for National Leadership in Historic Preservation.
Seligman Sundries (2023-10-26) by Valerie BromannArizona Preservation Foundation
The town that refused to be bypassed
As a result of his efforts (along with the support of his family and friends), Seligman has been put back on the map. The town now calls itself the "Historic Birthplace of Route 66."
Delgadillo's Snow Cap Drive-In (2018-12-01) by Carol M. HighsmithArizona Preservation Foundation
Neon lights, diners, and dusty dreams
Angel’s brother Juan also lives in Seligman, where he runs a quirky drive-in diner famous for its humorous approach. Delgadillo's Snow Cap has since become a must-visit in Seligman.
Delgadillo's Snow Cap Drive-In (2018-12-01) by Carol M. HighsmithArizona Preservation Foundation
The Snow Cap's menu has items like a "cheeseburger with cheese" and "dead chicken." A neon sign in the window reads, "Sorry, we're open."
Even the entrance has trick doorknobs: the door that leads to the counter has two knobs, one on the right and one on the left. (Opt for the right!)
Copper Cart (2023-10-16) by Valerie BromannArizona Preservation Foundation
Home of retro diners, souvenir shops, and roadside delights
Seligman has more to offer, including gift shops, classic motels, and the Copper Cart and Route 66 Motoporium, pictured here.
Roadkill CafeArizona Preservation Foundation
Route 66’s revival started right here
Learn more about Seligman, and plan your visit here.
Written by Reese Finnigan. Images sourced by Reese Finnigan and Brook Crowell.
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