Arizona 96 is a short route that connects Bagdad to Hillside. The road is only
connected to the rest of the state highway system by Arizona
97, itself a short connecting road between Arizona 96 and
U.S. 93.
Arizona 96 was commissioned in 1963 to connect the then-new
mine at Bagdad to the rail yard at Hillside. The road continues,
as Yavapai County Route 15, to meet Arizona 89.
Between 1998 and 2005, Arizona 96 was truncated to end at
Arizona 97, instead of Bagdad. The road is still signed in
the field as Arizona 96, and research is ongoing into the
reason for the truncation.
Perspective from Westbound Arizona 96
Perspective of Westbound Arizona 96 after meeting Arizona
97. At this point, it is four miles to Bagdad. Photo taken
March 25, 2007.
Bagdad is a mining town, owned by Phelps Dodge, the
owners of the Bagdad Mine. Bagdad is one of the last
two company towns left in Arizona, and life in the small
town revolves around the mine. Photo taken March 25,
2007.
Arizona 96 ends at the town limits of Bagdad. In the
2005 state highway log, however, the first four miles
of Arizona 96 are no longer part of the state highway
system, leading AARoads to wonder what the status of this
road is. Photo taken March 25, 2007.
Perspective from Eastbound Arizona 96
The first reassurance marker on Arizona 96 eastbound
is located just outside the town of Bagdad. Photo taken
March 25, 2007.
For the first five miles of Arizona 96 eastbound, an
older alignment can be seen on the opposite side of the
canyon. This bridge is a remnant of that alignment, the
original one of Arizona 96. Photo taken March 25, 2007.
Advance signage for Arizona 97, 1/2 mile. Photo taken
March 25, 2007.
Arizona 97 departs from Arizona 96 here, to travel west
to reach U.S. 93. Photo taken March 25, 2007.
In the 2005 Arizona state highway log, Arizona 96 actually
begins at Arizona 97, making this the first official trailblazer
shield. The only town located near Arizona 96 is Hillside,
located 18 miles ahead. Photo taken March 25, 2007.
Arizona 96 is a narrow road, virtually unchaged since
it was paved. This sign is advance warning of the Santa
Maria River bridge ahead. Photo taken March 25, 2007.
This narrow bridge over the Santa Maria River dates
back to 1939, before this road was a state highway. Photo
taken March 25, 2007.
Arizona 96 now follows Quail Spring Wash
away from the Santa Maria River. Photo taken March 25,
2007.
Sharp turns are not uncommon along Arizona 96. The road
is basically a paved dirt road, without banked curves
or wide shoulders. Photo taken March 25, 2007.
Arizona 96 climbs the hills above Quail Spring Wash
as it heads east towards Hillside. Photo taken March 25,
2007.
USGS maps refer to Arizona 96 as the Lawler Grade. The
road now winds around Tank Wash as it continues toward
Hillside. In 1998, an average of 600 cars travelled this
isolated stretch of state highway. Photo taken March 25,
2007.
The desert opens up as Arizona 96 approaches its end
near Hillside. Photo taken March 25, 2007.
Arizona 96 ends here, just before the T junction to
Hillside. The road does not actually enter the town of
Hillside, which is a railroad junction along the Burlington
Northern Santa Fe Rail line. Photo taken March 25, 2007.
East of here, the road continues as Yavapai County Route
15. Continue east on the county road to reach Arizona
89 and Prescott, or turn at the T intersection to reach
Hillside. Photo taken March 25, 2007.
