Route 66 Podcast

55. Devil's Rope (Barbed Wire) Museum, McLean, TX

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 ...

54. Remembering Ramona Lehman - The Munger Moss Motel (Encore)

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 He...

53. Rancho Cucamonga Service Station

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 ...

52. Gilligan's Route 66 Tours

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...

51. The Joliet Prison

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 Sit...

50. BOOK RELEASE: ABC, What Do You See rolling along Route 66?

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 ...

49. The U-Drop Inn Cafe (Shamrock, TX)

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 ambassa...

47. The 2021 Route 66 Scholarship Winners

  Our latest episode features a talk with the Route 66 Podcast Scholarship winners!  A very special thanks to everyone who participated including the Patreon members, those who helped promote the program, and applicants who 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 spent f...

48. KATRINA PARKS: Route 66 Documentary Filmmaker

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 Katri...

46. The original London Bridge relocated to nearby Route 66

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...

45. Munger Moss Motel Ramona Lehman FINAL

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 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 ea...

44. Miami, OK: Final Resting Place for 15 British Training Pilots

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 Miam...

43. The 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre

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 M...

42. WINSLOW, AZ: Standin' on the Corner

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...

41. END OF THE ROAD - The Santa Monica Pier with Dan Rice

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 S...

40. MIDDLE OF ROUTE 66: The Midpoint Cafe

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...

39. BEGINNING OF ROUTE 66: Chicago Road Warrior Tour Guide Dave Clark

BEGINNING OF ROUTE 66: Chicago with Windy City Road Warrior Dave Clark 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: Earliest memory of Route 66 Favorite spots along ’66 Importance of urban stretches along the road Early entry into tourism Where does t...

38. Bob "Crocodile" Lile

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: His earliest memory of Route 66 Singing in the church choir (and Croc sings a verse for our listeners!) Lifelong scouting role Early interest in painting Life as a car salesman at the family Ford dealership Opening an art ...

37. Roamin- Rich

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: His earliest memory of Route 66 The popular nickname Roamin' Rich His first act as a preservationaist Painting Route 66 shi...

36. Navajo Code Talker Peter MacDonald and Route 66

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 positi...

35. Route 66 Scholarship Winners

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:  Art Work Photographs Crafts   Interviews  Th...

34. Route 66 Circus Legacy: The Golden Age of Aerialists

Unknown to many, the Bloomington-Normal (Illinois) area along The Mother Road is the birthplace to aerial circus performance in America.  Join host Anthony Arno as he dives deep into circus life along Route 66 with three very special guests, who have committed their lives to aerial circus performance and preservation.  Wayne Wright was a human cannonball, being shot out of a cannon over 1100 times.  Marcus Alouan is the current director of the Gamma Phi Circus, the oldest collegiate circus...

33. Jim Hinckley - Route 66 Author

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...

32. The Blue Whale

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 parent...

31. The Blue Swallow Motel

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 tha...

30. The Keeley Institute and the famous Keeley Gold Cure (Dwight, IL)

Long before the glory days of Route 66, the Route 66 town of Dwight, IL,  was the center of the world thanks to a Civil War surgeon who established the world's first treatment center for alcohol and drug addiction.  Dr. Keeley's method involved having patients ingest flecks of gold dust, which was very secretive at the time.  Join Dr. Timothy Hickman, from Lancaster University (United Kingdom) as he talks with Route 66 Podcast host Anthony Arno all about a little known treatment center tha...

29. The El Vado Motel

The El Vado, a 1937 Route 66 Motel,  was recently purchased by Chadd Rennaker and not only restored the motel to its original charm,  but he also converted select rooms into a gathering space for area merchants.  The result is a Route 66 destination that allows travelers not only a place to stay, but also a place to sample the local food and crafts from the regions.   Join Route 66 host Anthony Arno as he talks with Chadd about restoring the El Vado Motel in Albuquerque, NM.

28. The Trucking Industry along Route 66

Tom Peters is the Dean of Library Services at Missouri State University, and an oral historian.  Join Route 66 host Anthony Arno as he talks with Tom about his series of interview with twenty two individuals directly associated with the trucking industry along Route 66. Tom talks about the the importance of trucking

27. A talk with former Harvey Girls

The final in a three part series featuring The Fred Harvey Company.  This episode features a talk with three women who worked for The Fred Harvey Company during the final days of the company, 1958.  In addition, episode features a talk with Katy Miller, great, great, great granddaughter of Fred Harvey.

26. Allan Affeldt - La Posada & La Castaneda Historic Fred Harvey Route 66 Hotels

Arizona based entrepreneur Allan Affeldt has successfully proven more than once that he can purchase old, abandoned railroad buildings along Route 66 that has had the Fred Harvey footprint and converted them into historically beautiful hotels in the southwest. Join Route 66 host Anthony Arno, as he talks with Allan Affeldt, who has dedicated his life to restoring Route 66 buildings successfully proven to grow the local economy beyond what anyone had ever imagined.  Allan begins talking abo...

25. The Fred Harvey Company with author Stephen Fried

Stephen Fried, author of Appetite for America: Fred Harvey and the Business of Civilizing the American West, talks all about the life of Fred Harvey and how Route 66 would later emerge once the railroad was being replaced by the automobile.   A three part series, highlighting the life and work of 19th Century entrepreneur Fred Harvey.  Episodes include talks with the author of the most comprehensive Fred Harvey book ever researched, a businessman who has successfully restored former Harv...

24. The Rock Cafe, Stroud, OK

The proprietor of The Rock Cafe, Dawn Welch, is a Route 66 icon and was the inspiration for the character Sally Carrera in the CARS movie.  The Rock Cafe was constructed in 1936 from leftover sandstone rock that was used to construct Route 66.   Dawn talks all about her oriiginal plans to open a cafe in South America and literally rollerblading into The Rock Cafe after expressing an interest in purchasing the fixtures.  From famous patrons visiting the cafe, to rebuilding the cafe after ...

23. The Launching Pad and Gemini Giant

The original Launching Pad Restaurant opened in 1960 by John Korelc under a different name, and while attending the National Restaurant Convention, Korelc paid $3500 for a fiberglass Muffler Man to draw attention to his restaurant. Korelc had his newly purchased fiberglass giant updated to keep in line with the 1960’s space race as an astronaut with helmet and rocket, and renamed the restaurant, as the "Launching Pad”. There was a naming contest and the fiberglass giant soon became known as ...

22. The Wild Burros of Oatman, AZ

Today, we’ll be visiting one of the most popular stops along Route 66, known for its wild burros, beautiful mountains and of course Route 66. I’ll be talking with Jackie Roland Murray, who wrote a book highlighting the history of Oatman and more.  

21. The Jack Rabbit Trading Post

The Jack Rabbit Trading post is a famous Route 66 curio shop located in Joseph City, Arizona.  The trading post is known for its large fiberglass jackrabbit that visitors are often photographed riding out front.  In addition, The Jack Rabbit Trading Post popularized the store by placing large HERE IT IS billboards all along Route 66.  The Classic CARS film depicts the Jack Rabbit with a Model T Ford in place of a jackrabbit and Lizzie is the store's owner. The Jack Rabbit Trading post is a...

20. Times Beach: The Dioxin Disaster that purged an entire community

The story of Times Beach is not a celebratory one that showcases Route 66.  Instead, the story of Times Beach is one that not may people are familiar with, even 35 years later.   Times Beach was a beach community along the Meramec River that hired the services of a local waste hauler, Russel Bliss, to spread used machinery oil over the dirt roads to keep the dust to a minimum.  It would later be discovered that the recycled oil would contain one of the deadliest compounds known to man, d...

19. The Wagon Wheel Motel

The Wagon Wheel Motel is the longest continously operated motel along Route 66.     A talk with Mark Linder, who is bicycling Route 66 in honor of his son who passed away at the age of 6.     A talk with Dora XXX, and the upcoming Shamrock Festival in Texas, where 3,000 attendees are expected.

18. Goffs Mojave Desert Trail Road and Route 66

Decades before Route 66 the Mojave Desert Road took travelers miles across the Mojave Desert.  Dennis Casebier talks about his original intention of creating a 130 mile hiking trail across the Mojave Desert along one of America's first highway, but realizing that a 4 wheel drive trail would be more practical.   Guest Dennis Casebier founded the Mojave Desert Heritage and Cultural Association, and he tells the story about converting an old school house into an area museum to promote the r...

17. Meramec Caverns Lester Turilli

Meramec Caverns is one of the most famous sights along Route 66 and consists of almost 5 miles of a cavern system outside St. Louis, Missouri. Join host Anthony Arno as he talks with the grandson of the founder of the caverns, Les Turulli.   Les talks about how his grandfather came up with the idea of painting the sides of barns along Route 66 to promote the caverns to travelers, far and wide. In addition, as a young boy, Les tells about how he helped his grandfather affix promotional ta...

16. The Bunion Derby with author Charles Kastner

On March 4, 1928, 199 men lined up in Los Angeles, California, to participate in a 3,400-mile transcontinental footrace to New York City. The Bunion Derby, as the press dubbed the event, was the brainchild of sports promoter Charles C. Pyle. He promised a $25,000 grand prize and claimed the competition would immortalize U.S. Highway Route 66, a 2,400-mile road, mostly unpaved, that subjected the runners to mountains, deserts, mud, and sandstorms, from Los Angeles to Chicago.

15. The Will Rogers Memorial Museum

Route 66 is sometimes referred to as The Will Rogers Memorial Highway, but not many people know who Will Rogers was. Rogers, Oklahoma's favorite son,  was a stage and motion picture actor, vaudeville performer, cowboy, humorist, newspaper columnist, and social commentator who was born and raised along Route 66. Join Route 66 Podcast host Anthony Arno, as he talks with Tad Jones, Director of the Will Rogers Memorial Museum all about the life of one of the most beloved personalities of his g...

14. The Road Crew

The Road Crew – America’s Route 66 Band takes the Mother Road to their audiences throughout the world.  “We spread the history and stories of Route 66 to every generation through our ‘Songs From The Mother Road.’  We encourage our audiences to discover America’s Main Street for themselves.” The band received the first time ever ‘Bobby Troup Artistic Recognition Award’ from the International Route 66 Association in 2011. The Road Crew – The official musical ambassadors for The Mother Road!

13. Fort Reno WW II POW Camp

Fort Reno in Oklahoma was once the home to 1300 German Prisoners of War (POW's) during World War II.  Originally established in 1874 to protect the Darlington Indian Reservation.  Fort Reno was used as a horse training camp for WW I and WW II, and the site was later used to house German soldiers who were captured in Northern Africa during WW II. Carolyn Barker shares some of the most fascinating (and unknown) stories about the Fort Reno POW camp.  While nothing but a water tower remains fr...

12. Muffler Men - Joel Baker

11. The Tucumcari Route 66 Monument

Tom Coffin remembers as a child being asked by his teacher to create drawings to help decorate his classroom for holidays and other special events.  From there, he eventually wound up in NYC where he worked for the NYC Historic Landmark Commission where he restored historic buildings, such as The Pierre, Carneige Hall, and the Smithsonian Museum for the American Indian.   Wanting to return back to the southwest, Tom entered a Route 66 competition to design a Route 66 monument as part of ...

10. The Coral Court Motel

000000E9 000000E9 00004A00 000049EC 0024D359 0024D359 00007EF6 00007EFF 00158DDB 00158DDB   The Coral Court Motel can undeniably be grouped with The Munger Moss and Blue Swallow, as an iconic Route 66 landmark motels.  However, The Coral Court Motel is long gone from the suburbs of St. Louis.   John Carr opened The Coral Court in 1942, during the US World War II mobilization effort.  The motel had an unusual art deco design and each room had an adjacent garage for travelers to park t...

9. Route 66 News Site

The Route 66 News website at www.Route66News is a clearinghouse of news and historic events taking place along The Mother Road.  Join The Route 66 Podcast host Anthony Arno as he interviews the curator of Route 66 News, Ron Warnick.   Ron has been publishing Route 66 news on almost a daily basis since October 9, 2005!   Listen in as Ron tells about: His earliest memory or Route 66 How Route 66 News Site got started The most popular news story that has been downloaded from the site ...

8. Tattoo Man of Route 66 Ron Jones

Are you a dedicated fan of Route 66?  What makes you think so?  Do you have tons of Route 66 memorobilia in your home?  A wide assortment of Route 66 t-shirts?  Something special that screams out Route 66 on your car?   Join host Anthony Arno on The Route 66 Podcast as he interviews the ultimate Route 66 fan, Ron Jones.  Ron has over 150 tattoos on his body dedicated to Route 66.   Ron will tell the many stories about his tattoos, including a very special one that honors the work of ...

7. The Burma-Shave story with Clinton B. Odell

Burma-Shave was a popular brand of brushless shaving cream, made famous by a brilliant advertising campaign that featured a series of witty rhyming poems appearing in a sequence of roadside signs that would entertain the motorist driving down the road.   In this episode of The Route 66 Podcast, Anthony Arno interviews Clinton B. Odell, grandson of the founder of Burma-Shave. This episode begins with over twenty Burma-Shave jingles professionally recorded to give the listener a brief back...

6. NPS Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program