This isn't a Route 66 nostalgia book. "Route 66: A Trail of Tears" (514 pages, soft cover, self-published) offers vivid evidence why some people regarded the highway with anguish and dread during its heyday. Historian Barry Duncan compiled hundreds of black-and-white photographs of accidents along a stretch of the Mother Road in southwest Missouri from the 1950s to the 1970s. The … Continue reading Book review: “Route 66: A Trail of Tears”
Category: Photographs
A sample of a treasure trove of photos
This new video features a collection of photos taken during the early 1980s by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation along NW 39th Street from Oklahoma City to the suburb of Bethany, before U.S. 66 become decommissioned. According to Rachel Mosman, a photo archivist at the Oklahoma Historical Society, the photos were animated by J.A. Pryse into a video. https://youtu.be/mvcUHhXO9ts In … Continue reading A sample of a treasure trove of photos
Book review: “Route 66 Crossings”
Because so many Route 66 books have entered the marketplace over the past three decades or so, one initially wonders why Jim Ross' new volume about historic bridges on the Mother Road hasn't been done before. But as one dives deep into "Route 66 Crossings" (hardback, 200 pages, color photographs, University of Oklahoma Press, $29.95), becomes clear why … Continue reading Book review: “Route 66 Crossings”
GlassBoy Studios opens in Arcadia
Joel Rayburn's GlassBoy Studios neon-lighting company -- also home to Tourist Trap Tees --opened for business last week in downtown Arcadia, Oklahoma, next to Route 66 and the town's famous Round Barn. The above photo is shows the business and the custom-painted Route 66 van driven by GlassBoy Studios' first customer, Greg Gaszak. The business is housed in the nearly-century-old Brooks … Continue reading GlassBoy Studios opens in Arcadia
Ramada Kingman running a Route 66 photo contest
Ramada Kingman in Kingman, Arizona, is asking Route 66 fans to help decorate the facility's lounge, restaurant and lobby as part of the hotel's continuing revitalization. To that end, the Ramada Kingman is running a photo contest. More details from the news release: Route 66 enthusiasts are being asked to share their favorite photos that … Continue reading Ramada Kingman running a Route 66 photo contest
A new look at Cuba’s murals
Antigravity Photography used a drone to provide a new way to see Cuba's murals along Missouri's Route 66. I wasn't sure how drone photography was useful for showing murals. But you'll see, as I did, how their panning abilities can show a very long mural in a few seconds. And the drone footage also allows … Continue reading A new look at Cuba’s murals
Route 66 in 6.6 minutes
Here's a well-edited time-lapse video of a fellow who traveled Route 66 -- including a side trip to Las Vegas -- in a 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air during the wintertime. https://youtu.be/t_iYL0LDTrQ My favorite time-lapse travel video is this one from 2011. It's a 12,225-mile journey across various points across America, including hundreds of miles of Route … Continue reading Route 66 in 6.6 minutes
Getting inside the Majestic Theatre of East St. Louis
Chris and Katie Robleski of Fading Nostalgia recently used their night photography talents to shoot the inside of the Majestic Theatre in East St. Louis, Illinois. The Robleskis wrote a blog about gaining access to the theater's seldom-seen interior. Their 26-minute podcast goes not only into the decaying but beautiful Majestic Theatre and the troubled history … Continue reading Getting inside the Majestic Theatre of East St. Louis
Kurt’s Camera Corral in Albuquerque going out of business
I missed this when it was announced a few weeks ago, but Kurt's Camera Corral along Central Avenue (aka Route 66) in Albuquerque will close its doors permanently on New Year's Eve. In a Facebook post, the store stated: https://www.facebook.com/ABQcorral/posts/913159422098677 Albuquerque Business First talked to company president and CEO Kurt Kubie: “On behalf of our family, I’d … Continue reading Kurt’s Camera Corral in Albuquerque going out of business
Aerial views of New Mexico
Flightgeist, a company out of New York that specializes in aerial photography by drone, recently posted this breathtaking and well-edited video from various spots around New Mexico, including Route 66. Roadtrip New Mexico from FLIGHTGEIST on Vimeo. From the description of the film: A car, a map, a drone, and a one week adventure through … Continue reading Aerial views of New Mexico