Several years ago, roadie Drew Knowles published his “Route 66 Adventure Handbook,” a compact but much-praised volume that provided travelers a guide to Route 66 attractions and worthwhile side trips.
The book is now in its third edition.
Knowles recently published has another compact but useful book for Mother Road travelers — “Route 66 Quick Reference Encyclopedia” (204 pages, Santa Monica Press, $12.95).
The book is small enough to fit in a glovebox or pocket. In addition to basic maps, a concise history of Route 66 and an introduction by “Route 66: The Highway and Its People” author Susan Croce Kelley, the book brims with alphabetically listed entries about the Mother Road’s historical figures and celebrities, pop culture, landmarks, attractions and road terms.
Even the most hard-core roadie will probably learn new things. For instance, did you know:
- That Eldridge was the early name of the Route 66 town Alanreed, Texas?
- That Jimtown was the former name of Miami, Okla.?
- The lava fields of western New Mexico are called El Malpais, which is Spanish for “bad lands”?
- Domino is the name of the neon-lit bovine mascot at the historic Rod’s Steak House in Williams, Ariz.?
- That “Indian Day School,” one of the first films produced by Thomas Edison’s Kinetoscope camera in 1898, was shot in the future Route 66 town of Isleta Pueblo, N.M.?
- That Provine was the name of the Route 66 crossroads in western Oklahoma where Lucille’s once operated?
Knowles’ text quickly gets to the meat of its subjects — a necessity for such a concise volume. It also helps that the book is well-illustrated with photographs from his own collection.
It wouldn’t surprise me if a lot of roadies keep the “Route 66 Quick Reference Encyclopedia” within arm’s length to refresh their memories or settle an argument.
Recommended.