LUPTON, Ariz.
The Lupton History Day at Lupton Chapter House filled the room with stories of the Lupton community that have been forgotten — stories of days when the community was a thriving place along Route 66.
Master of Ceremonies Kern Collymore encouraged the audience to share their stories of their history of the Lupton area.
“Share your history. This is a good time for us to come together and share the history of this community so it’s not forgotten,” said Collymore.
Originally from Jamaica, Collymore married into Lupton and is the head coordinator at the Little Colorado River Watershed Chapters Association.
The stories shared revealed a surprisingly lively past to the now sleepy hamlet. Lupton once had a motel, a “modernized” trading post, a night club — and even a visit from the King himself, Elvis Presley.
“He once stopped here to get his tires fixed. There was a tire shop near the 66,” said one local.
Lupton Chapter President Alvin Blackgoat was present and said a lot has changed since the booming 60s and 70s.
“All these people here were teenagers then,” said Blackgoat of the residents in attendance.
The biggest surprise to learn about was the night club Lupton had, Stateline, where Gallupites would come on Sundays.
“It was open on Sundays,” said a local. “People would come from all over and chit chat on Sunday because Gallup was closed dry.”
Lupton was a booming community back in the early 60s and 70s. The local power plants and substations provided jobs, and Route 66 brought the tourists.
Read More: https://navajotimes.com/ae/community/lupton-bar-motel-tire-shop-history-day-reveals/
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