Stories from the Road

Place of Grace

Standing tall on the Texas plains, the giant cross in Groom is a sight that commands attention and stirs the soul. At 190 feet, this monumental structure, visible from miles away, is one of the largest crosses in the Western Hemisphere. Built as a beacon of faith, the cross is surrounded by life-sized sculptures depicting the Stations of the Cross, drawing visitors from around the world to reflect, find inspiration, and witness its powerful symbolism.

Buggin' Out in Texas

Discover the story behind Bug Ranch on Route 66 in Conway, Texas inspired by the famous Cadillac Ranch. This quirky road-trip-must-visit roadside attraction embodied the playful and eccentric nature of the Mother Road.

Holding on to Heritage

Discover the story behind one of Oklahoma’s most colorful landmarks, the Mohawk Lodge Indian Store and Trading Post. This roadside attraction has been a part of Mother Road history even before Route 66 existed.

Bob’s Gasoline Alley

In the charming town of Cuba, Missouri, there once lived a man named Bob Mullen, the proud curator of a remarkable place known as Bob’s Gasoline Alley. This was no ordinary attraction—it was a treasure trove for history buffs and Route 66 fans alike, a vibrant display of nostalgia and Americana. Though Bob passed away in 2020 the legacy of his creation lives on in the hearts and memories of those fortunate enough to have experienced its magic. Bob's story continues to inspire, a testament to the spirit of Route 66. This is his story.

On The Prairie

The lesser-known but picturesque village of Elkhart, Illinois is home to a delightful couple with a colorful tale to tell, and an amazing little café and gift shop. Discover what a real Route 66 welcome looks like at the Wild Hare Cafe.

Friends For Life

The humidity hangs thin over southwest Missouri, near where the land starts to open up to the west, and things begin to dry out. It is lush and green most years, and always hot in the summer. It is the place of small quaint towns every few miles, with buildings constructed in the vernacular style of native stone and rocks. Families sit on front porches after supper, swatting flies and reflecting on the day’s events.

Elmer Land

“In 1962 my father got an old Willys Jeep. That was our ticket to going far out into the desert. We started collecting quickly on these camping trips. It was just an accident. We started bringing stuff home. One day he found a bottle, and that was it.” Most serious collectors have a genesis story like this. Hobbies seldom start out of volition. They just happen. Elmer Long, 72, is no exception. He did not find a hobby; it found him.

Miracle On 11th Street

Tulsa is a Route 66 town with a storied past and a vibrant future. From oil boom to music mecca, the town has ridden multiple crests of popularity and remained rock solid through it all. Never mind that the Father of Route 66, Cyrus Avery was from Tulsa, which he insisted wind right through the friendly city.

The Legend of the White Dog

Nelson King may never have opened his wildly popular restaurant White Dog Hill in Clinton, Oklahoma, if he had ignored the ghostly messages coming from the glove box of his sister’s car. He might have named the Route 66 establishment something boring if he didn’t adopt that white dog that he didn’t really want. He may have hired less talented chefs if Jacqueline Davies-Thunderbull didn’t have a wild vision one night that led her from Bond Street in London to Cheyenne, Oklahoma, (although, looking back, the vision might have intended her to go to Cheyenne, Wyoming).

American Giants

Marketers have long tried to raise their voices above the din. From the smallest mom-and-pops to the biggest corporate conglomerates, it has always been about cutting through the clutter and being heard or seen. From the retina-burning neon, swooping arrows, and flashing chaser bulbs that reached their zenith in the 1950s, to television ads that make us laugh or pull at our heartstrings in the 21st Century, the message is implicitly the same: “Look at me! Look at me!”

Wigwam Mania

Behind every threat lies a golden opportunity for those willing to look beyond the obvious problems. When cars replaced horses and bicycles as the preferred form of transportation early in the 20th Century, it spelled doom for farriers and vendors of two- wheeled conveyance. Suddenly, people could travel great distances in a short period of time. But shiny new cars also spelled opportunity for others. Gasoline stations, the first of which had sprouted in 1907, quickly popped up across the country, allowing motorists to travel without carrying a jerry can full of fuel. Cafes opened, feeding hungry tourists along the way.

BYE BYE BEDROCK

Before The Simpsons became the longest-running primetime animated TV series in history, this proud title belonged to The Flintstones. The Flintstones originally aired on ABC on September 30, 1960 with an episode titled “The Flintstone Flyer,” in which Fred Flintstone and Barney Rubble fool their wives, Wilma and Betty, to avoid spending a night at the opera in favor of a trip to the bowling alley. And thus, America was introduced to the peculiar antics and never-ending sarcasm that defined one of the most successful animated series in television history.

Reviving a Giant

Serendipity never fails to reach its hand into the countless tales of wackiness and happenstance that define Route 66. There’s something about the magnetism of the Mother Road that reels in folks from the most arbitrary of circumstances, blends them together, and produces some of the most random yet awe-inspiring creations this country has ever seen. Every so often there comes a story with a perfect medley of redemption, camaraderie, and, of course, a healthy dose of American kitsch. Among this tapestry of triumphs and losses looms a surreal figure who has watched over the Route and all its sagas for nearly half a century.

Texan Style

You’re sitting at a cowhide table on a raised platform in front of two hundred other diners. In front of you is a perfectly grilled, sizzling 72-ounce steak, shrimp cocktail, a baked potato, salad, and a bread roll. A musician strums a guitar in the background, while a live rattlesnake and a 12-foot bear statue look on disinterestedly; they’ve seen this almost 100,000 times before. The clock begins to count down, and you have an hour to eat what is on the table.

America’s Finest

The American road trip — those very words get your immediate attention and inspire idyllic daydreams of sunny days spent rolling down picturesque highways on the way to attractions and landscapes that you’ve only read about. But the romance of the road inevitably collides with the stuff of everyday life — the need for another tank of gasoline, the search for a clean restroom, the desire for a cup of coffee and a sweet treat, and the little niggling at the back of your mind that you promised to bring home a souvenir or two for Aunt Betty. Sure, there are modern travel stops along all the major routes that check those boxes, but once upon a time, there was a chain of roadside travel stores that served up sweet treats, inexpensive good food, kitschy souvenirs, and travel services better than anyone else.

A Bend in the Bridge

With the Mississippi River being one of the largest dividing lines across the United States, naturally any national highway would have to cross it. In fact, throughout its life as an active highway, Route 66 crossed the boundary between Illinois and Missouri no fewer than four different times. The first crossing, in 1926, was via what is now known as the McKinley Bridge. Three years later, the Mother Road was rerouted over the Municipal Bridge, known today as the MacArthur Bridge. In 1936, it was rerouted again across the Chain of Rocks Bridge, and then it traveled across a pair of parallel bridges called the Veterans Memorial Bridge and Eads Bridge in 1954.

Little House: To the Prairies and Beyond

From the deep woods of Wisconsin to the rolling hills of South Dakota, Laura Ingalls Wilder’s life defined the frontier experience. Meet the extraordinary women behind one of the world’s most beloved book series and discover the indelible mark that she made upon the American imagination.

A Ghost in the Desert

For several decades, a solitary booth stood in the middle of the Mojave National Preserve, miles away from civilization. Riddled by bullet holes and carpeted by broken glass, it looked like it had seen better days. Long before the proliferation of smartphones and social media, such edifices were the only way to call strangers and friends when you were far from home. It had been placed there in 1948 to service cinder miners, but no one knows exactly by whom. Its only neighbors were desert plants, telephone poles and—if it was lucky—a passing coyote. Over all those years, it was silent, with only the wind breaking the quiet of the desolate landscape. But then one day ... it began ringing. Like many legends, though, this story begins not with an object, but with a man.

Rockin’ On

Stroud, like many of the little communities constellated along Route 66, emanates a quiet presence of a simpler time, when children played on the street from sunup to sundown, and people greeted each other like old friends at the local diner. A growing town at the dawn of the 20th Century, with four cotton gins, two newspapers, and two banks, Stroud, which once was known for its rough and tumble taverns, made headlines with the capture of outlaw Henry Starr and his cohorts who had attempted to rob the town’s two banks, the First National Bank and the Stroud National Bank, at the same time.

Mystery in the Desert

Arizona harbors the unique ability to take people both back in time and high above the sea—sea level, that is. The state is landlocked, but its famous mountain ranges like the volcanic San Francisco peaks north of Flagstaff and the Chiricahua Mountains in the southwest jut out unforgivingly from the arid, mahogany deserts that surround them.

Under the Radar

When you have a restaurant with a name like The Roadkill Cafe, you might expect most people to appreciate the quirky slogan for what it is; but some people may just take you seriously.

America’s Scenic Drive - California’s Pacific Coast Highway

The Mother Road may be the most famous highway in the country, but California’s stretch of the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) may be the most astoundingly scenic. Spanning 656 miles, it stretches from just near Leggett in Mendocino County and across the entirety of the United States’ western border of the Pacific Ocean, down to Dana Point. Known by locals as “the One”, the most popular stretch of this highway runs between San Francisco and San Diego, meandering in twists and turns through quaint coastal towns, pristine beaches, breathtaking views, and plenty of historical places, making it one of America’s greatest road trips.

Bigger, Brighter - The History of Advertising on Route 66

One of the things that makes Route 66 so special is its uniqueness: there’s nothing else quite like it in the world, and its magic cannot be replicated. One of the key driving factors that formed the persona of the Mother Road was, as Oklahoma Route 66 Association member Rhys Martin put it, “the advent of station-wagon tourism.” The creation of the route coincided with the new wave of automobile culture. With the development of more affordable cars, beginning with Ford’s Model T in 1908, and the rise of expendable income after WWII, family road trips became the norm, and every business along the route was vying for these potential customers’ attention.

Tulsa’s Buck Atom Space Cowboy

Route 66 is home to a wide variety of attractions, some historical, others picturesque, but the most memorable and fun may fall under the category of kooky and strange. Each with their own unique story, most have lived on the Mother Road for many decades, but that does not mean that there is no room for new additions to America’s Main Street. And where better to introduce a new landmark than in the city where the proclaimed father of Route 66 was laid to rest; Tulsa, Oklahoma?

Bazaar on 66

When Melody Murray was told her eclectic collection of neon signs, full-sized Barbie mannequins and oversized red arrows were “bringing down the property values at their trailer park,” she did the only rational thing she could think of: she opened a boutique shop on historic Route 66 in Elk City, Oklahoma.

The Desert Wears Prada

Driving along U.S. Highway 90, a small, unassuming building comes into view, sitting all alone in the picturesque desert of Valentine, Texas. The walls are white, the lights are on, and as you pull up to the front entrance, you are greeted with a display of designer handbags and shoes, the word “Prada” printed across the grey awning.

Henry Starr - Last of the Horseback Outlaws

On Saturday morning March 27th, 1915, everything seemed quiet as usual in Stroud, Oklahoma. Grocers began setting up their stalls, saloons bristled with the breakfast rush, and eight men tied their horses to the stockyard fence on 3rd Avenue. Three men went north to the First National Bank on 4th Street, while four men went south to the Stroud National Bank on 3rd Street, and one man stayed in the middle to guard the horses. They wore fine clothes that blended in with the townsfolk as they went about their morning errands.

The LA Chicken Boy

Muffler Men, larger-than-life iconic statues, were once commonly used – quite successfully we must add – as advertising ploys along Route 66. Muffler Men was the popularized name for one of these giant characters clutching a car muffler. These statues — which also included cowboys, Indians, lumberjacks, spacemen, women, happy halfwits, and even pirates — were commissioned by retailers to attract the attention of motorists and patrons.

The Main Street of Canada

Often equated to America’s Historic Route 66, the Trans-Canada Highway (TCH) threads across the south of the vast country, through all ten provinces, connecting communities from the east to the west coast. Every year, countless people travel this great transcontinental road. Those who trace the footprint of this great national highway as an attraction, rather than a long, boring stretch to be crossed in a hurry, are rewarded with small-town charm, fascinating history, and one-of-a kind roadside attractions.

The Trees of Travel

The road trip spirit has always been one of freedom, spontaneity, and whimsy, and nothing demonstrates this better than the shoe tree. No, this is not a device to preserve your shoe’s shape or store them in your house - it is a living tree adorned with the cast-off footwear of intrepid travelers. It begins with a dreamer and multiplies into a blooming facade of rubber soles and knotted laces.

The American Civil War Glorieta Pass Battle

Just below the pavement along Route 66 near Santa Fe, New Mexico, lies the battleground of one of the most important and decisive encounters of the American Civil War: the Battle of Glorieta Pass (March 26-28, 1862). What at first appeared to be a Confederate victory ended up being a decisive triumph for the Union, accomplished through bravery, cunning, and sheer blind luck.

The Year of 1926 - Harry Houdini Dies of a Sucker Punch

Mother Road enthusiasts fondly think of 1926 as the golden year that birthed the legendary Route 66. The numerical designation 66 was assigned to the Chicago-to-Los Angeles route in the summer of 1926, and the US Highway 66 was established later that year on November 11th. But what else was happening in 1926?

The Hottest Place in the Valley

Death Valley is famous for many reasons. It’s the lowest point of elevation in North America, but also within 100 miles of the highest elevation in the country, Mount Whitney. There are salt pans from long dried up lakes containing anything from common table salt to borax, and plants that somehow survive in the deadly heat of the desert summer. In 1913, the highest temperature ever recorded on Earth was measured at 134 degrees Fahrenheit at Furnace Creek. Today, however, Furnace Creek isn’t just the place where the world’s hottest temperature was recorded. It’s actually a great place to stop and relax.

THE YEAR OF 1926 - THE LIVES OF BONNIE AND CLYDE

Mother Road enthusiasts fondly think of 1926 as the golden year that birthed the legendary Route 66. The numerical designation 66 was assigned to the Chicago-to-Los Angeles route in the summer of 1926, and the US Highway 66 was established later that year on November 11th. But what else was happening in 1926? This series takes a look at the cultural and social milieu from which Route 66 emerged - the famous, the infamous, the inventions, and the scandals that marked 1926 as a pivotal year. In this issue, we bring you the story of the notorious gangsters, Bonnie and Clyde.

THE YEAR OF 1926 - LAUNCH OF THE NATIONAL BROADCASTING COMPANY

The numerical designation 66 was assigned to the Chicago-to-Los Angeles route in the summer of 1926, and US Highway 66 was established later that year on November 11th. But what else was happening in 1926? This series takes a look at the cultural and social milieu from which Route 66 emerged - the famous, the infamous, the inventions and the scandals that marked 1926 as a pivotal year. In this article, we bring you the beginnings of the National Broadcasting Company.

THE YEAR OF 1926 - BESSIE COLEMAN IS KILLED

As Route 66’s establishment in 1926 would come to pave the way for cars to carry passengers from the Midwest to the Pacific coast via asphalt, the air, without any highways, had been — for over twenty years — a prime and novel location for traveling, fighting and performing tricks via airplane. Yet, from amongst the growing number of aviators to populate the sky, one pilot stood out from amongst her peers. 1926 would see the tragic accidental death—caused by an unfastened seat-belt—of nationally celebrated pilot, Bessie Coleman.

A Moment in Route 66's History - 1932 The Los Angeles Olympics

Many significant historical events have occurred along Route 66 over its long history, and the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics is particularly noteworthy: although the Games were put on during the Great Depression of the ‘30s, they functioned as a beacon, highlighting Route 66 in America and placing Los Angeles on the global map.

The Ghosts of the Goldfield Hotel

On a lonely stretch of Route 95, cast haphazardly against the sagebrush of Central Nevada, is the tiny ghost town of Goldfield. Home to only 268 people, its main industries are tourism and gold. To the south of town the “International Car Forest” is the main draw for travelers. But this is a recent attraction, for most of the town’s history, its showpiece was the legendary Goldfield Hotel. A four-story classical revival building built in 1908. The yawning façade still dominates the town’s main square. It caused a sensation upon its opening, as it was one of the first hotels in the west to use electric lights and supply running water to every room.

STRANGE BUT TRUE - The Far Side of Route 66

Route 66 may be one of the most well-known highways in the world, but beyond the thousands of miles of asphalt lie a plethora of the strange, the unusual and the quirky. If you’re looking for something out of the ordinary, look no further. A road that sings, a body twisted in two and a deep lagoon that links states are just some of the more obscure elements of the Mother Road. Read on and prepare to be intrigued.

The Loneliest Places Along Route 66

Route 66 often conjures up images of friendly small towns, hospitable diners, and famous landmarks. But what about the quiet places in between? During the Mother Road's heyday, there was almost a limitless amount of towns and roadside stops popping up to serve the traveling public. However, when Route 66 died out, decommissioned and supplanted by interstates, many of these small towns died with it. These hollow shells of past prosperity provide a haunting melancholic vibe and are tangible remnants of the boom and bust history of the great American road. While venturing along Route 66, take some time out to appreciate these long lost and forgotten communities and experience their ghostly aura.

The Resurrection of the Meteor City Trading Post

The iconic Route 66 landmark known for its giant roadside dream catcher and its geodesic dome design is getting a new lease on life.

The International Car Forest

In a town noted for its otherworldliness, the International Car Forest of the Last Church stands out in Goldfield. Once the biggest town in Nevada, Goldfield is now a place people pass through, although not too quickly. The local police force is noted for its enthusiasm in enforcing the speed limit.

Route 66 Revival Underway in Tulsa

Tulsa is inching closer to being a major attraction on the red-hot revival of Route 66, perhaps just months away from construction of the much-anticipated Route 66 Experience and an explosion of growth along the 24 miles of Route 66 in our city.

The Mystery of Shipshewana

In today’s hectic, busy world, where we are inundated with emails and phone calls, text messages, Facebook messages, FaceTime requests and a myriad of other stimuli, it is hard to take a break and simply check out, even on a road trip. But when life has worn you down and you decide to hit the open road, especially when that road is Route 66 and you are on your way, heading west to the Windy City, where The Mother Road traditionally begins, there is a gem of a stopover that welcomes everyone.

The Clown Motel

Tonopah's Clown Motel sits midway between Las Vegas and Reno, eerily cheerful against its muted desert backdrop. Clowns wave and smile strangely from the road; they line the lobby walls; they hang above the beds. An elephantine Ronald McDonald welcomes you at the check-in desk. Oh, and there's a cemetery next door that's home to 300 long-deceased miners.

The Saddest Trading Post on 66

Even in its heyday, Route 66 was not the continuous benign bright ribbon that some might imagine. Almost without exception, life was as hard as anywhere else – sometimes harder – and highway traffic was comprised not only of the military, the commercial traveller and the tourist, but of darker elements. Some places seemed to attract sadness and tragedy more than others, and one such place was Toonerville in Arizona.

Caretaker of Memories

California’s 314 mile section of Route 66 is home to some of the old road’s most vivid scenery and unique attractions. There is something about the moody desert atmosphere, with its numerous fading ghost towns and lost in time venues, that leaves a deep etch in the heart of intrepid travelers. Every dilapidated structure seems to have its own story, and it is not difficult if one closes their eyes and listens carefully, to hear the ghosts of yesterday. The desert has a way of opening the mind and nudging the spirit. Yet, perhaps even more memorable and captivating are the people of California’s Route 66. In many cases, true to Old West stereotypes, these are pioneers and dreamers, each with a destiny to fulfill and a heavy helping of true grit.

Castañeda: Act II

For a growing number of savvy travelers looking for a more authentic hotel experience, a restored historic hotel may be just the answer. And the restoration of La Castañeda — the Queen of Las Vegas — is poised to be just that. The venue’s restoration by the Winslow Arts Trust is set to put the classic venue back on top.