Long before “HERE IT IS” became one of the most photographed phrases on the Mother Road, a jackrabbit silhouette was already racking up frequent flyer miles on billboards stretching all the way from Missouri to Arizona. That’s the improbable marketing stunt behind Jack Rabbit Trading Post, a roadside curio shop just west of Joseph City that opened in 1949 and somehow talked its way into becoming one of Route 66’s most recognizable stops.
Jim Taylor started the place after moving in from New Mexico, and he picked a jackrabbit as his mascot because he wanted something distinctly Southwestern that people could actually photograph. Nearly eight decades later, that instinct still pays off every single day, as travelers pull off Interstate 40 at the trading post’s own named exit just to snap a picture with the store’s oversized rabbit statue out front.
What Makes It Worth The Stop
The main event here is impossible to miss: a giant, larger-than-life jackrabbit statue parked right outside that visitors are welcome to climb on top of for a photo. It’s the same rabbit silhouette that appeared on those countdown billboards for decades, so posing on it feels like completing a scavenger hunt that started hundreds of miles back on the highway.
Inside, the shop is packed with the kind of Route 66 memorabilia you’d hope to find at a place this old, from cloth patches and t-shirts to hats, rocks, gems, and Native American-made goods. Prices tend to run friendly for a tourist stop, and the selection feels genuinely curated rather than just mass-produced trinkets shipped in by the pallet.
Don’t overlook the practical side of the visit either. Cold drinks and quick snacks are on hand for anyone who’s been driving for a few hours, which makes this an easy combination of bathroom break, leg stretch, and souvenir run all rolled into one stop.
Atmosphere & Décor
Everything about the property leans into its mid-century roadside roots. The vintage signage out front still uses some of the original boards from 1949, repainted countless times over the years but never replaced outright, so there’s a real sense of history baked into the paint itself.
The building itself is unpretentious, a classic single-story desert trading post with the kind of low-slung, sun-bleached charm you’d expect from a place that’s been greeting travelers since before the interstate existed. It’s an outdoor-meets-indoor experience, since half the appeal is the photo op with the rabbit statue and vintage VW Beetle parked outside before you even step through the door.
Once inside, the shop has that dense, floor-to-ceiling merchandise feel that a lot of classic trading posts share, with shelves and racks packed tight rather than laid out like a modern retail store. It reads as lived-in and authentic rather than staged for tourists, which is exactly the point.
Other Considerations
Is it family-friendly? Yes, it’s a quick, easy stop for kids and adults alike, with the photo-op rabbit statue being an obvious highlight for younger travelers.
How long should I plan to stay? Most people treat this as a short stop of fifteen to thirty minutes, just enough time for photos, a browse through the merchandise, and a cold drink before getting back on the road.
Is it easy to find off the interstate? Very much so. The trading post has its own dedicated exit off Interstate 40, a rarity among old Route 66 businesses that made it a straightforward stop even after the highway bypassed the original road.
What should I look for besides the rabbit statue? Keep an eye out for the classic VW Beetle parked outside and the vintage hand-painted signage, both of which are as much a part of the photo tradition here as the jackrabbit itself.
Jack Rabbit Trading Post
📍 3386 Historic Rte 66, Joseph City, AZ 86032
Website: http://www.jackrabbittradingpost.com
