The Devil's Rope (Barbed Wire) Museum along Route 66 in Mclean, TX, is probably one of the most unusual museums along The Mother Road.
Join host Anthony Arno, as he talks with 90 year old curator Delbert Trew all about his museum and collection of over 800 different types of barbed wire. Cited as one of the most important inventions during the Industrial Revolution, the museum features anything and everything related to barbed wire, including art, tools, medicines, books, and use during warfare.
There are many interesting museums along Route 66, but perhaps one of the most interesting is the Devil’s Rope Museum with its collection of over 800 examples of barbed wire.
Join host Anthony Arno as he talks with Delbert Trew, the 90 year old curator of the Devil’s Rope Museum in McLean, TX. Highlights from the show include:
Why visit a barbed wire museum?
McClean’s “other” fame to claim- Alfred Rowe
McClean’s Mayor Passenger # XXX on the Titanic
McLain’s once popular Brassiere Factory
History of the American cowboy
What problem does barbed wire solve?
Origin of Devil’s Rope name for barbed wire
Barbed Wire- Rancher or Farmer’s best friend?
The most popular wire all visitors must see!
Barbed Wire: Tools, Medicine, Books, Art, Poetry, Wartime
Barbed Wire in song
Modern versions of Barbed Wire
Delbert’s initial interest in Barbed Wire
Books published by Delbert on Ranching, Barbed Wire, and other interests
Devil’s Rope Museum featuring Route 66 memorabilia
Visiting Devil’s Rope Museum
Other Route 66 attractions in McLean, TX
The Route 66 Podcast pays a special tribute to Ramona Lehman, who passed away on August 2, 2023, at the age of 85 years old.
This episode was originally released in 2021 as Ramona celebrated her 50th year operating the Munger Moss Motel.
Join host Anthony Arno as he talks with Ramona about
The Rancho Cucamonga Service Station in California opened for business in 1915, eleven years before the birth of Route 66. The station itself was established prior to the westward migration of travelers and automobiles, but did play an important role in supporting the citrus growers in the region with much needed fuel to support heaters throughout the orchids.
Join Route 66 Podcast host Anthony Arno, as he talks with Anthony Gonzales, President of the Inland Empire California (IECA) and how the local community worked together to restore the only period service station along Route 66 in California.
Highlights from. the show include:
Origin of Rancho Cucamonga name
Early history of Service Station before Route 66 and automobiles
Architect John Klusman and other popular buildings in the area
Building design
The popularity of Ridgefield Oil Company to later become part of ARCO
Origin of Ridgefield sign atop of service station
From peak years to eventual demise
How a billboard company (Lamar Advertising) agrees to support a Route 66 interest with just one condition
IECA established to preserve the station
How Anthony Gonzales became interested
Unexpected surprises upon turning the key to an abandoned gas station
Service station artifacts and future plans
Impressive awards as a result of the restoration progress
Annual Car Show
Other area attractions along Route 66
Join Route 66 Podcast host Anthony Arno as he talks with Sam Murray, the person behind Gilligan's Route 66 Tours. Gilligan's specializes in providing international tourists a first-class 23 day experience along Route 66, including driving in convertible Ford Mustang's and stays at some of the most iconic Route 66 motels.
Features include Sam Murray talking about
The Joliet Prison, in Joliet IL, is one of the oldest prisons in the United States that housed both criminals and enemies from the Civil War. Popularized by the popular movie, The Blues Brothers, the Joliet Prison permanently closed in 2002 and began drawing national attention about the possibility of being operated as a tourist destination along Route 66.
Join Route 66 Podcast host Anthony Arno as he talks with Greg Peerbolte, Chief Executive Officer of the Old Joliet Prison Historic Site. Together, they talk about the entire 144 year operational history of the prison, including the on the following topics:
The latest episode features the release of the book, ABC, What Do You See? Rolling Along Route 66 with author Annette Murray and illustrator Joyce Cole.
Don't mistake this book as a simple picture book for pre-schoolers! ABC, What Do You See? Rolling Along Route 66 is full of whimsical illustrations and lyrical language, having true appeal for both young and old fans of Route 66. The book is educational, introducing readers to geography, art, architecture, weather, wildlife and many other wonders waiting to be discovered on the 2,448-mile highway.
Highlights include:
Website: authorannettemurray.com
A 3-part interview, featuring the popular U-Drop Inn (Conoco Tower Station), a 1936 service station and café constructed in 1936 with a very unique art deco style for the Texas panhandle region. The architectural style of the U-Drop Inn would later serve as an inspiration for Romone’s automotive body and paint shop in the animated Cars movie.
Join Route 66 Podcast host Anthony Arno as he speaks with Crystal Hermesmeyer (Shamrock EDC Director), 87 year old Hazel Jannsen (U-Drop Inn ambassador), and Baldo de Leon (U-Drop Inn café entrepreneur).
Featured highlights:
Crystal Hermesmeyer (Shamrock EDC Director)
Hazel Jannsen (U-Drop Inn Ambassador)
Newspaper Account: U-Drop Inn to Offer Public Finest in Foods and 24 hour Service
Baldo de Leon (U-Drop Inn café entrepreneur)
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Please consider supporting both The Route 66 Podcast and Scholarship Program through Patreon. Patreon members at the Will Rogers level received a 2022 Route 66 wall calendar.
There are a few documentaries featuring Route 66, and two of the most popular ones were produced by Katrina Parks. Parks produced The Harvey Girls: Opportunity Bound in 2014 and her latest release features Route 66: The Untold Story of Women on The Mother Road.
Join Anthony Arno as he talks with Parks about her career as a documentary filmmaker, from her first project as a college student to her upcoming projects.
Developing an interest in storytelling
How a college assignment led Katrina into filming her first documentary, Wrappings
Wrappings wins an award through the United Nations
Documentary vs. typical Hollywood movies
Early work with History Channel
A Summer in Vietnam
Importance of Research
Use of actors in documentaries
Past and Future Podcasting Projects
Route 66 Documentaries: Fred Harvey & Women of The Mother Road
Behind the scenes in preparing a documentary
The "Katrina Parks" rule in producing documentaries
Recollecting Katrina's first exposure to Route 66
What comes first: Website or Documentary?
Women of The Mother Road themes:
Archeology & Anthropology
Boosters & Travelers
Creatives
Entrepreneurs
Family & Business
Politicians
Waitresses & School Teachers
Wartime
Website: Route 66 Women
Website: Route 66 Women Facebook Page
Thank you to Route 66 Podcast & Scholarship supporters!
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In 1967 American entrepreneur and land developer Robert McCulloch proposed purchasing the 136 year old London Bridge on the River Thames from the city of London as a publicity stunt. His goal was to attract potential land buyers to this remote region that today has a population of 50,000 residents and a wide range of recreational water activities. Many people thought McCulloch was a bit of an oddball to spend almost $10 million to purchase and reconstruct the historical bridge10,000 miles away from its original construction site, but his hunch paid off. The London Bridge is the second largest tourist attraction in Arizona, after the Grand Canyon, and not too far from Route 66.
Robert McCulloch
The episode features a talk with both McCulloch's grandson and a leading Lake Havasu tour guide, providing insight into the wisdom of McCulloch who earned an Engineering degree from Princeton University and was a millionaire by the age of 30. While the Lake Havasu London Bridge stood over the River Thames for 130 years, earlier versions of the bridge date back to Roman times and one iteration housed several hundred residents and featured a display of beheaded criminals to at the tollgates.
Ramona Lehman is just as iconic as The Munger Moss Motel and recently celebrated 50 years as the owner and operator of this Missouri Route 66 must see stop along The Mother Road.
Join host Anthony Arno as he talks with Ramona about
LINKS
Article: Ramona celebrates 50 years on Route 66 (2021)
Article: Bob and Ramona celebrate 45 years on Route 66 (2016)
Website: Munger Moss Motel
Facebook Page: Munger Moss Motel
Video: Munger Moss featured on KYW News (2019)
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During the early days of WWII, the Route 66 community of Miami welcomed over 2000 British Cadets as part of a training program to prepare pilots for combat over their homeland of England.
While most of these young cadets returned home to intense fighting and a country already ravaged by war, there were a few that never made it back home to their native soil. They were tragically killed while training in the states and have been forever laid to rest along Route 66 in the community of Miami, Oklahoma.
Laying these young men to rest on foreign soil attracted the attention of a local, Francis Mae Hill, who would over the next 40 years provide both flowers and prayers for these young men. Mrs. Hill knew the family members would not be able to visit their loved ones, so she voluntarily tended to their graves and promised family members back home that they would not be forgotten. She often considered the young men her boys, and her last wish was to be buried alongside her boys. King George VI would later award Mrs. Hill The King's Award for Service.
Join host Anthony Arno as he talks with Nancy Bro, office manager at the GAR Cemetery in Miami, OK, about the life of these cadets and other notables buried in Miami. Highlights of the conversation include:
SHOW NOTES
LINKS
Website: GAR Cemetery, Miami, OK
Dobson Museum
Raisbeck Story and Flight
THE CANDY BOMBER: Colonel Gail “Hal” Halvorsen
CHARLES BANKS WILSON: Documentary (Notable artist buried at GAR Cemetery)
From the Ozarks and Beyond" Part 1
From the Ozarks and Beyond" Part 2
From the Ozarks and Beyond" Part 3
From the Ozarks and Beyond" Part 4
with Anthony Arno
Dr. Frances Carter, a real life Rosie the Riveter
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Just before the birth of Route 66, the single worst incident of racial violence in American history took place in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Within 24 hours, more than 35 square blocks in the Greenwood section of Tulsa were burned, causing 10,000 residents in one of the wealthiest black communities in America to instantly become homeless. Join host Anthony Arno as he talks with Dr. Scott Ellsworth, a leading expert on the Tulsa Race Massacre.
Topics include:
UM Website: Scott Ellsworth
Article: How a Historian Helped Tulsa Confront the Horror of Its Past
Tulsa Memorial Park: Hope Franklin Center for Reconciliation
Documentary: Blood on Black Wall Street (The Legacy of the Tulsa Race Massacre)
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Popularized by the famous song, Take It Easy, one of the most famous street corners along Route 66 features a line from a popular song that was written by Jackson Browne. Today, Winslow, Arizona, contains a small park on a corner of Route 66 featuring both a mural and bronze statue. Join host Anthony Arno as he talks with both of the artists who have made the Winslow corner one of the most popular stops along Route 66.
JOHN PUGH
Website: Art of John Pugh
RON ADAMSON
Historic Photo of Ron's Grandfather along Route 66 with Guitar
Website: Ron Adamson
YouTube: Home Footage of statue being created
Dan Rice operates one of the most famous Route 66 souvenir shops along Route 66, located on The Santa Monica Pier. Dan is a past president of the California Route 66 Association and was instrumental in placing the famous End of the Trail sign on the Santa Monica Pier. This is the final episode in a 3 part series featuring The Beginning, The Middle, and The End of Route 66.
Join host Anthony Arno as he talks with Dan about:
Website: 66 to Cali
Facebook: 66 to Cali
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Please consider supporting both The Route 66 Podcast and Scholarship Program through Patreon. This episodes Patreon supporters will have access to an additional 25 minutes of conversation with Dan, including Dan discussing:
Congratulations to this months Patreon winner, Kristin Haackenson, from Washington, who has won a bag of Route 66 brand Santa Monica flavored snack mix.
This is the second part of a three part series, featuring the beginning, middle, and end of Route 66.
Join Route 66 Podcast host Anthony Arno, as he talks with Brenda Bradley, owner of The Midpoint Cafe in Adrian, TX. Cited as the midway point between Chicago and Santa Monica, The Midpoint Cafe sign outside is probably one of the most popular signs along the route that travelers will stop to take a picture of during their journey along Route 66.
Join host Anthony Arno as he talks with Brenda about:
Facebook: The Midpoint Cafe
BUSINESS LEVEL
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Please consider supporting both The Route 66 Podcast and Scholarship Program.
Congratulations to this months Patreon winner, Mary Nicholson, from Pennsylvania, who has won a bag of Route 66 brand snack Sweet & Salty flavored snack mix.
David Clark , operates Windy City Road Warrior and offers walking tours of Chicago along Route 66. The first in a 3 part series features everything you need to know about starting (or ending) a Route 66 tour in Chicago, IL.
Join host Anthony Arno as he talks with Dave about:
WEBSITE: Windy City Road Warrior
Facebook: Windy City Road Warrior
BUSINESS LEVEL
And from the United Kingdom
Please consider supporting both The Route 66 Podcast and Scholarship Program. All supporters will receive an additional 15 minutes of conversation with David, where he talks about:
Congratulations to this months Patreon winner, Charli Beeton, from the United Kingdom, who has won a copy of The Road Crews Songs from The Mother Road CD. For next month, one lucky Patreon winner will win a bag of Route 66 Chicago Sweet & Salty flavored snack mix.
Bob Lile , otherwise known as “Croc” owns and operates Lile Art Gallery along 6th Avenue in historic Amarillo, Texas. He’s known for creating Cadilite jewelry using paint chips from the nearby Cadillac Ranch
Join host Anthony Arno as he talks with Croc about:
Lile Art Gallery, Amarillo
Facebook: Lile Art Gallery
Article: Cadillac Ranch
Thank you to Route 66 Podcast & Scholarship supporters, including
BUSINESS LEVEL
And from the United Kingdom
Please consider supporting both The Route 66 Podcast and Scholarship Program. All supporters will receive an additional 15 minutes of conversation with Croc, where he talks about:
Congratulations to this months Patreon winner, Brian Sawyer from Indiana, who has won a Route 66 wall calendar. Congratulations Brian! For next month, one lucky Patreon winner will win a copy of The Road Crews Songs from The Mother Road CD. You can hear The Road Crew on Episode 14.
Roamin' Rich represents the latest generation of preservationists dedicated to promote and preserve Route 66. He is the president of the Missouri Route 66 Association, a key member in the Painted Desert Trading Post cooperative, and the person behind most of the shields you see painted on the roadway.
Join host Anthony Arno as he talks with Roamin' Rich about:
This extended version of The Route 66 Podcast is only available to Patreon members and also includes Rich talking in depth about:
Thank you again to everyone who has supported both the podcast and scholarship program through Patreon. The 2020 - 2021 scholarship program is currently being rolled out and please encourage all students in grades K - college to apply. The college award will be $500.
Congratulations to Patreon supporter Rich Havlik from Minnesota, who is the latest Patreon winner! Rich has won a Route 66 wall calendar.
Roamin' Rich Links:
Website: Roamin' Rich
Website: Gary Turner (Gae Parita Service Station)
Website: Missouri Route 66 Association
FB Page: Painted Desert Trading Post
FB Page: John's Modern Cabins
FB Page: Eat-Rite Diner
At 92 years old, Peter MacDonald is just one of five surviving Navajo Code talkers who played a vital part in World War II during the Battle of Iwo Jima, where 25,000 lives were lost over a period of 6 weeks. Upon his return home, he was sworn to a vow of secrecy for 23 years until the Marines declassified the mission while working as a Project Engineer on the Polaris Missile Project for Howard Hughes. MacDonald has also served as a four time Chairman of The Navajo Indian Nation, a position similar to a governor of native American territory.
Join host Anthony Arno as he talks with local Route 66 realtor Jacque Kellogg who connects the Navajo Code talkers with a little known motel that sits on Route 66 in Flagstaff, AZ.
The Route 66 Podcast Scholarship winners have been announced, and they are featured on the current episode of The Route 66 Podcast.
The program invited students in grades K - 12 to submit original work that promotes and preserves our beloved highway, Route 66. The program this past year included a total of $175 in awards, and applicants were invited to submit almost any medium that would express their interest in Route 66, including:
You can see the winning entries on our website at Route 66 Podcast.com.
In addition, the show introduces the Route 66 Podcast and Scholarship Patreon program, where you can support efforts to promote and preserve Route 66. Patreon supporters can sign up to receive a washable Route 66 face mask, early release of podcasts including extended episodes, promotional materials related to Route 66, and the opportunity to vote in the 2021 Scholarship program.
For more than three decades Jim Hinckley has been telling people where to go and sharing the adventure. His passion for Route 66, the back roads of America and the automobiles he has shared through books, feature articles, blog posts, video, Facebook live programs, and presentations.
Published work includes nineteen books on topics as diverse as The Illustrated History of the Checker Cab Manufacturing Company, Ghost Towns of Route 66, Travel Route 66, The Big Book of Car Culture, and The Route 66 Encyclopedia, and most recently Murder and Mayhem on Route 66.
Join host Anthony Arno as he talks with Jim about his extensive book writing career featuring Route 66, and Jim gives personal feedback from some of his most favorite places along Route, his work in his home community of Kingman, AZ, and his early encounter with Jay Leno.
The life sized Blue Whale in Catoosa, OK, is one of the most recognized structures to be found along Route 66. Hugh Davis built The Blue Whale as an anniversary gift to his wife Zelta back in the 1970's. At its peak The Blue Whale was. a popular swimming. spot, drawing well over 100 locals on a hot summer day.
Join Route 66 Podcast host Anthony Arno, as he talks with Blaine Davis (78 years old) about his fathers life long work as the director of the Tulsa Zoo, growing up with parents who appreciated the outdoors, and what prompted Hugh to construct The Blue Whale upon retirement despite not having any welding experience or working with cement.
In addition, Linda Hobbs, The Blue Whale gift shop manager and author of a children's book featuring this Oklahoma icon also joins the conversation as she talks about the importance of The Blue Whale, what it was like working with Hugh, and why Route 66 is so important for the younger generation of children who visit this popular Mother Road destination.
Perhaps one of the most popular motels along Route 66, The Blue Swallow Motel has been in operation since 1941 and still provides patrons with private garages for their vehicles. Originally received as a wedding gift from her fiance, Lillian Redman ran the motel for over 40 years before stepping back from the hospitality business in her late 80's. Since that time, there have been other owners, but Kevin and Nancy Mueller have maintained the true character of The Blue Swallow since 2011 that would have made Lillian proud.
Named by Smithsonian Magazine as "the last, best and friendliest of the old-time motels", The Blue Swallow Motel has caught the attention of everyone from Pixar films to Bob Dylan. Featured in the classic movie Cars, The Blue Swallow's neon is a wink in the movie to The Cozy Cone Motel, which displays in neon, "100% Refrigerated Air" slogan.
Join The Route 66 Podcast host Anthony Arno as he talks with Kevin Mueller about maintaining and operating one of the most popular destinations along the Road. The episode features talks about: