The story of this spot is not just about the Wild West — it’s also about family, passion, and the enduring spirit of Route 66. Jim and Jean Pope, the founders of the Roadkill Café, first discovered Seligman during a family road trip in 1964.
They stayed at the Navajo Motel and, two decades later, returned to buy it — along with the General Store, Route 66 Automotive, and a small bar called the O.K. Saloon. Over the years, they turned this corner of Route 66 into a lively gathering place for travelers and locals alike.
In 1997, the Roadkill Café officially opened, built on the same patio where many dances and parties had once taken place.
Though Jim and Jean have since passed, their children and grandchildren continue to run the business, keeping alive not only a family legacy, but a living piece of Route 66 history.
Here, history isn’t just remembered — it’s recreated. Right outside the Roadkill Café, the family also built the whimsical 1860 Arizona Territorial Jail, a wooden structure that looks straight out of an Old West movie. While it’s a reproduction, it captures the imagination of visitors and stands as one of the most photographed spots in Seligman.
Their story adds a real, heartfelt dimension to this quirky place — showing that behind the fun signs and photo ops, there are people who truly love and believe in the magic of the Mother Road.
