An outfit called Trumbly Productions posted this short documentary about Route 66 in Oklahoma, especially in the western half of the state. You also get a look inside the National Route 66 Museum in Elk City.
Category: History
Oral history
Vic Plunk has lived near the Rock Island railroad line and Route 66 at Grey's Corner, Texas, just west of Amarillo, for many years. Grey's Corner isn't listed on maps, but Vic's Happy Tracks Horse Motel is near Exit 60 of Interstate 40. In addition to telling his steam-engine memories, he points out the old, … Continue reading Oral history
San Bernardino’s past detailed in book
Steven Shaw has turned his collection of 700 vintage postcards into a book about the history of San Bernardino, Calif. About 225 of the postcards were used in the Arcadia Publishing book titled "San Bernardino," which comes out Monday, reports the San Bernardino County Sun. Shaw told the Inland Press-Enterprise something interesting about preservation: "Everybody … Continue reading San Bernardino’s past detailed in book
Heritage tourism
The New York Times took down its firewall several weeks ago that kept online readers from seeing much of its content. That means that you now can read "The Virtues of Avoiding Interstates," an August 2007 article about tourists who are avoiding the superslab and are seeking out the historic two-lane roads of America. The … Continue reading Heritage tourism
They oughta be in pictures
The folks at Vintage Roadside, the company that puts graphic art from defunct highway businesses on T-shirts, has expanded into selling photographs. According to a news release: We now have available the first three prints from the Vintage Roadside negative collection. We've chosen to start the series with a circa. 1940 image of the Las … Continue reading They oughta be in pictures
Andy Payne ran here
The Lincoln (Ill.) Courier published a fascinating article about the Lincoln library's research into the 1928 Bunion Derby, the transcontinental footrace that went the length of Route 66. Oklahoma native Andy Payne, a previously unheralded runner, bested the talented field and took home a $25,000 prize. The library used Geoff Williams' excellent book, "C.C. Pyle's … Continue reading Andy Payne ran here
Windy City Road Warrior starts a blog
David Clark, aka Windy City Road Warrior, knows about Route 66 and other historic roads in Chicago probably more than anyone. He has written a few books about the subject, and he also gives guided tours from time to time. Clark now has started a blog. Its mission statement is thus: To wage noble campaigns … Continue reading Windy City Road Warrior starts a blog
Round and round
Another story today about the Round Barn of Arcadia, Okla. This one's by Ted Landphair of the Voice of America. According to his report, there are 1,000 round barns left in America. They were built up until the 1920s. Given the advantages of such a structure, it makes you wonder why farmers quit building them: … Continue reading Round and round
Review: “Dinosaurs Across Route 66” comic
Many Route 66 aficionados are, to put it gently, a little long in the tooth. So many of them fret about whether there will be enough young people interested in the Mother Road to keep it viable in the future. That's why many roadies rejoiced at the 2006 release of Disney-Pixar's animated movie, "Cars," which … Continue reading Review: “Dinosaurs Across Route 66” comic
Head for the Hollandburger
The Victorville (Calif.) Daily Press says Emma Jean's Holland Burger restaurant on Route 66 tends to be taken for granted. But it's not by European tourists and roadies who are traveling the Main Street of America. Shawna Gentry and husband, Brian, are quick to produce the guestbook she keeps. There are signatures and comments in … Continue reading Head for the Hollandburger