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Route 66 Podcast

Route 66 Stories as told by people living and working along The Mother Road
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Route 66 Podcast
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Now displaying: 2023
Nov 7, 2023

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 

Aug 3, 2023

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

  • How does an Iowa farm girl wind up on Route 66?
  • Honeymooning along Route 66
  • Early history of The Munger Moss Motel
  • Origin of the Munger Moss Name
  • Remembering her late husband, Bob Lehman
  • Helping businesses along Route 66 get established
  • The early days when Ramona arrived at The Munger Moss
  • Discovering garages that were once part of the motel
  • Ramona’s room recommendation at The Munger Moss
  • Long term residents at The Munger Moss
  • The Munger Moss: To sell or not to sell?
  • Will the children carry on the Munger Moss tradition?
  • The world famous Munger Moss Neon sign
  • Celebrating 50 years at The Munger Moss
  • Most memorable guests to walk through the door
  • Meeting the original owner many years later – Emmitt Moss
  • Maintaining the Munger Moss sign
  • Constant flow of picture takers along Route 66
  • Most popular Munger Moss items for sale in the lobby
  • Bob Lehman’s prized toy collectionbob lehman toy collection
  • The biggest challenge in 50 years at The Munger Moss
  • The very first in-ground pool in Lebanon, Missouri arrives at The Munger Moss
  • Ramona’s last vacation
  • Preserving Route 66 for future generations
  • Is Ramona as famous locally as she is with Route 66 travelers?
  • Ramona’s Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren visiting at The Munger Moss
  • Sales pitch for The Munger Moss 2021
  • Next item on Ramona’s Bucket list
  • A Ramona Lehman Revelation: Where hasn’t she been along Route 66?  (The answer WILL surprise you!)
  • Long Live Route 66

 

Jun 2, 2023

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

 

May 1, 2023

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

  • Growing up in New Zealand and his earliest road trips
  • First trip to the US as a youngster
  • Buying an RV and touring Route 66
  • Origin of Gilligan name for tour company
  • Life as a MX Rally Racer
  • Gilligan's Route 66 Tours Overview
  • Logistics of a typical tour

 

Apr 1, 2023

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:

  • Early history and construction during the Civil War
  • William Boyington - noted Chicago architect
  • Daily life at Joliet Prison
  • Special holidays at Joliet Prison
  • Joliet Prison as a manufacturing center 
  • Popular wardens at Joliet Prison
  • Did Chicken Joe Campbell really murder the warden's wife?
  • Ida B. Wells, Civil Rights advocate and founder of the NAACP,  visits Joliet in support for Campbell's fair trial
  • Notorious inmates at Joliet through the years
  • 1 year sentence at Joliet for stealing the body of President Lincoln
  • Prison tourism
  • Attempted escapes at Joliet
  • The most unusual inmate who tried to break into Joliet
  • Turning the ruins of Joliet into art
  • The Blues Brothers at Joliet
  • Female inmates
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