Our latest episode features a talk with the Route 66 Podcast Scholarship winners! A very special thanks to everyone who participated includingthe Patreon members, those who helped promote the program, and applicantswho submitted entries. At the middle school level, the winning entry was submitted by a former virtual student of mine, Kiera. Kiera's design (pictured above) includes the outline of a shield containing four Route 66 related images inside. Kiera says that she spentfew weeks working on the shield and her first step was listening to past episodes of the podcast for ideas. It was during her research Kiera discovered the Wigwam Motel completely on her own, as the podcast has not yet featured the iconic motel on the show. At the college level, Deanna DeValvewas selected to receive a $1000 college scholarship. Deanna is from Catoosa, Oklahoma, which is home of the Blue Whale along Route 66. In addition to attending Oral Roberts UniversityDeanna works part time at theRoute 66 Native Arts Alliancein Catoosa. Deanna submitted an original song,Remember,and was able to connect her Cherokee heritagein music and words with the verse below: My native blood calls out to me Don't forget your history I listen to the beckoning And follow where she takes me REMEMBER Other submissions include original and digital artwork, a radio broadcast featuringan interview with Bob "Crocodile" LIle, and an introduction of Missouri Route 66 using American Sign Language (ASL). The scholarship program began in 2020 and this past year was extended to include an award at the college level. While the submissions were very diverse, it is my hope that even more students will submit an entry for the 2022 - 2023 academic year once the program opens up. The overall goal of the scholarship program is to promote the spirit of Route 66 with a younger generation of students who were born long after the highway was decommissioned. I want to thank everyone who helped promote the scholarship program, including many of the local school districts and colleges along the route. PATREON SUPPORTERS As always, thank you to my Patreon supporters who are the ones providing support for the scholarship program. Patreon supporters for The Route 66 Podcast include: MidPoint CafeAdrian, TX – Featuring both their Ugly Crust Pie and one of the most popular photo ops along Route 66, located exactly halfway between Chicago and Santa Monica in Adrian, Texas. Gilligan’s Route 66 Toursfeaturing tours of Route 66 in Ford Mustang convertibles, stays at historic Route 66 motels, and daily breakfast. Jack Rabbit Trading PostJoseph City, AZ – Probably one of the most iconic curio shops along Route 66, the famousHere It Isbillboard and fiberglass jackrabbit in front of the store is reason enough to stop…. and say hello to Cindy and Antonio. Jeff Buechel - Illinois Reed Cole - Nebraska Jim Crabtree – California Route 66 author and photographer – Shellee Graham and also my guest onEpisode # 10where she talks about her book,Tales from the Coral Court Motel. Kristin Haakenson – Washington Rich Havlik – Minnesota Maureen Holt - Arizona Mary Nicholson – Pennsylvania Evan Stern - New York United Kingdom Charli Beeton The Netherlands Jim Rensen Please consider supporting bothThe Route 66 Podcast and Scholarship Programthrough Patreon. Patreon members at the Will Rogers levelreceived 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 producedThe Harvey Girls: Opportunity Bound in 2014 and her latest release featuresRoute 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 Wrappingswins 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: We...
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 ...
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 withRamona 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 pictu...
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 menherboys, and her last wish was to be buried alongsideherboys.King George VI w...
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: Earliest knowledge of the Tulsa Race Massacre Urban legends and myths about the riots with stories about the 1921 riots Discovering a rare photograph that would spark an interest in further researching the riot A talk with a survivor who was 16 years at the time WD Williams provides a first hand account Origin of the Greenwood neighborhood Timeline of events beginning at the Drexel Building The Tulsa Tribune reports on the incident Lynch mob assembles outside the courthouse The one spark that caused the attack on Greenwood Race Riot or Ra...
WINSLOW: Standin' on the Corner Park 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 Early interest in art The art of Trompe-l'oeil (Trick the eye) Chico State Mural: Breaking through the Does an opitcal illusion always work Earliest memory of Route 66 The Winslow mural contest Basis of mural design competition 2004 fire Importance of research prior to planning a mural Life expectancy of murals What happens when a mural just ins't working? Murals that have really played trick on people Hermosa Beach mural honoring The Biltmore Hotel Era Bucket list items Standin on the Corner hints Website:Art of John Pugh...
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: Earliest memory of Route 66 Background in Family Therapy Surviving a traumatic brain injury Selling American made Route 66 t-shirts Origin ofEnd of the Trailsign Convincing Santa Monica Pier to erect a historical Route 66 sign Does Route 66 officially end on the Santa Monica Pier? Transitioning from a shop on wheels to a permanent shop on the Pier Early history of the Santa Monica Pier The 1939Battle for Santa Monica Baywith mobster Tony Cornero Suggested sights for travelers arriving into Santa Monica Pier The Georgian Hotel Where is the original mobile vendor ca...
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: Earliest memory of Route 66 Working as a waitress at The Midpoint Cafe and later purchasing the cafe One thing that Brenda wishes she knew before purchasing The Midpoint Cafe Welcome to Adrian, TX and nearby towns along Route 66 Early history of The Midpoint Cafe (Zellas’ 1928) References in Cars movie (V-8 Cafe) and previous owners Fran Houser, Dan Purschwitz Origin of Ugly Crust Pies Annual output of updated Ugly Crust Pies (Midpoint Ugly Pie) Most popular flavors of pie that Route 66 customers want The Midpoint Cafe Gift Shop and popular souvenir items A typical day at the cafe at the height of tourism season Most memorable visitors and repeat customers The moment of panic: when a tour bus pulls into the parking lot Seasonal Hours Most popular gift shop items that Route 66 travelers are purchasing The most popular sign outside the cafe window The lure of Route 66 Next on Brenda’s Bucket list Facebook:The Midpoint Cafe Thank you to Route 66 Podcast & Scholarship supporters, including BUSINESS LEVEL MidPoint Cafe, Adrian, TX – Featuring both their Ugly Crust Pie and one of the most popular photo ops along Route 66, located exactly halfway between Chicago and Santa Monica in Adrian, Texas. Gilligan’s Route 66 Toursfeaturing tours of Route 66 in Ford Mustang convertibles, stays at historic Route 66 motels, and daily breakfast. Mary Beth Busutil – Florida Jim Crabtree – California Mike Fort Route 66 author and photographer – Shellee Graham and also my guest onEpisode # 10where she talks about her book,Tales from the Coral Court Motel. Kristin Haakenson – Washington Rich Havlik – Minnesota Mary Nicholson – Pennsylvania Brian Sawyer – Indiana And from the United Kingdom Charli Beeton Please consider supporting bothThe 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.
BEGINNING OF ROUTE 66: Chicago with Windy City Road Warrior Dave Clark David Clark , operatesWindy City Road Warriorand 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: Earliest memory of Route 66 Favorite spots along ’66 Importance of urban stretches along the road Early entry into tourism Where does the road begin in Chicago? Tracking down the official beginning point Is there an end sign in Chicago? Must See Stops in Chicago Restaurants : The Berghoff Lou Mitchells The Castle Gas Station Buckingham Fountain Logistics of starting a Route 66 tour in Chicago Authentic Route 66 Hotels in Chicago The W-Hotel (formerly The Midland Hotel) The Club Quarters Hotel JW Marriott (former bank building) Hyatt Hotel (former Cook County Hospital building) Getting Chicagoans to embrace The Mother Road Traveling original al...