08/24/2026
Once I found Bert’s Country Dancing on Route 66 in Valentine, Arizona (between Hackberry and Kingman), I wanted to stay forever and watch all the movies that played in my head imagining this place in its heyday. I’ve always dreamed of having a similar type of place. A surprise in the middle of nowhere. An unexpected experience. People who were meant to find each other.
It was opened by Bert Denton, a retired rancher and Navy veteran, who ran it as “just a little Ol’ Country Joint” with dancing on Saturday nights, dollar beers, and Bert himself playing fiddle and guitar for anyone who wanted to join in. 
He opened it after retiring from ranching and working for Mohave County, and it was “jumping with live music and dancing,” with Bert playing fiddle and guitar and welcoming anyone who wanted to sit in. 
It had its heyday when old Route 66 was still the main road between Chicago and LA — once the interstate came through, it took most of the town’s traffic with it, and the little dance hall eventually closed for good.  Bert died nearly a quarter century ago, and the building has barely changed since — dust on the bar, grass growing over the benches out back — though it’s occasionally reopened briefly over the years.
The 76 station was close by
Lo’s Chinese American Restaurant
Kingman, AZ
These are American stories. Stories and places that need protection. If you’ve ever enjoyed a road trip on Route 66, I urge you to contact your representatives and let them know that you support their support for HR 5470.
