Part of Our Route 66 Everytown Collection – Parks Edition
Crafted from ultra-soft 100% Airlume combed and ring-spun cotton, this unisex jersey tee blends comfort with one of the most unusual chapters in American history. Featuring the compelling slogan 🐪"Where the Camels Used to Roam,"🐪 it celebrates Parks, Arizona: a scenic mountain community along Route 66 with roots tied to the short-lived U.S. Army Camel Corps experiment of the 1850s.
Perfect for Mother Road explorers, history enthusiasts, anyone seeking quirky Arizona claims to fame or collectors of our exclusive Route 66 Everytown Collection, this tee honors Parks' unique past and peaceful present.
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About Parks, Arizona: From Camel Trails to the Mother Road
Tucked into the ponderosa pine forests of Northern Arizona, Parks is a small community located just west of Flagstaff along Historic Route 66. Sitting at over 7,000 feet in elevation, it offers travelers crisp mountain air, sweeping forest views and a sense of quiet that contrasts sharply with the wide-open desert stretches of the Mother Road.
Parks takes its name from the Parks family, early settlers who arrived in the 1890s, and it originally served as a modest stop along the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway. But long before the railroad or Route 66, this region played host to one of the most curious military experiments in American history: the U.S. Army Camel Corps.🪖
In 1857 and 1858, the Army imported dozens of camels from the Middle East to test their effectiveness as pack animals in the arid Southwest. Led by Edward Fitzgerald Beale, the expedition passed through this part of Northern Arizona while surveying a wagon road.
🐫The camels proved surprisingly capable, being able to both travel long distances without water and carry heavy loads, but they also unnerved horses and mules. As such, the experiment was eventually abandoned. Many of the camels were turned loose, and for decades afterward, stories persisted of wild camels wandering the Arizona wilderness, including areas near present-day Parks.
Today, Parks is known less for roaming camels and more for its tranquil charm and access to the great outdoors. Visitors can explore the surrounding Kaibab National Forest, stop by the historic Parks General Store, or enjoy a peaceful break from the highway in one of Arizona's most scenic high-country settings.
The town's location along Route 66 makes it an ideal rest point for travelers heading to or from Flagstaff, offering a mix of history, natural beauty, and a quirky claim to fame that is truly one-of-a-kind. Parks may be quiet, but its story, from its pine forests to former camel caravans, ensures it holds a memorable place in the tapestry of the Mother Road.
Product Features:
- 100% Airlume combed and ring-spun cotton for premium softness
- Side seams for added structure and durability
- Tear-away label for comfort
- Classic crew neckline with a flattering unisex fit - true-to-size for all day comfort (see size chart for details)
- Fulfilled in the USA
Care Instructions:
- Machine wash: cold (max 90°F / 30°C)
- Tumble dry: low heat
- Non-chlorine bleach as needed
- Iron or steam: medium heat
- Do not dry clean
