Podcast
Route 66 Podcast
Talks with people living and working along the Mother Road
- Episodes
- 73
- Releases
- Monthly
- Typical length
- 1 hr 2 min
- On air since
- 2016
- Latest episode
- 2 days ago
Episodes
73 episodes, newest first
-
1 hr 22 min
73. The World's Largest Ketchup Bottle
Show notes
In Collinsville, IL, the world's largest ketchup bottle sits above the now shuttered Brooks Catsup bottling company. Originally it was designed as a water tower for the facility, but when operations were closed down in 1993, the Catsup bottle began to deteriorate.
At that time, two Route 66 advocates met and aside from saving the catsup bottle, they eventually became husband and wife. Judy DeMoisey (Catsup Bottle Lady) has a background in architectural preservation and began a campaign to raise over $100,000 by selling t-shirts at the catsup bottle. Mike Gassman, (President, CEO, and Big Tomato of the worlds largest catsup bottle fan club, Inc.) handles the publicity and promotion of the catsup bottle, including popular annual events.
http://www.route66podcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/worlds-largest-ketchup-bottle-2.jpg
Join Route 66 Podcast host Anthony Arno as he talks with both Mike and Judy about their efforts to save and restore the Brooks Catsup Bottle. Highlights from the show include:
• Earliest memories of Route 66
• How both Mike and Judy met
• "Ketchup" or "Catsup"
• Triumph Catsup and Pickle Company (1907)
• Brooks Catsup Bottling Plant (1933)
• Need for a water tower to satisfy water usage at factory
• Operations shift to Indiana (1960)
• Massive Catsup Bottle dimensions
• Catsup Bottle preservation movement (1993)
• Mike and Judy first met at Catsup Bottle event
• Mike's role - Catsup Bottle promotions, marketing, festivals
• The Eiffel Tower of Collinsville, IL
• Engineering challenges in restoring a 70' tall catsup bottle
• National Register of Historic Places designation
• Current use of Brooks Catsup warehouse
• Collection of artifacts for future catsup museum
• Oscar Meyer Weiner Mobile, Idaho Potato Mobile, and other novelty visits
• Cameo appearances of Catsup Bottle and other pop culture references
• Catsup Bottle Website
• Preserving the Catsup Bottle for the next generation
• Annual Catsup Bottle Festival
• Unusual visitors at World's Largest Catsup Bottle
• The Great Catsup Test with Mike and JudyOfficial Website: The World's Largest Catsup Bottle
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1 hr 20 min
72. The Green Book: Black travel experiences along Route 66
Show notes
Candacy Taylor was originally writing a Route 66 travel guide for Route 66 when she discovered the unfair treatment of black travelers along The Mother Road. Candacy immediately pivoted and would spend the next five years researching the history of black travel in America, bringing to light that half of the Route 66 communities were "sun down" towns.
Join Route 66 podcast host Anthony Arno as he talks with Candacy about the not so popular side of Route 66 during its heyday, including the popularity of The Green Book. Highlights from the show include:
• Candacy first learning about the Green Book
• Route 66 "Sun Down" towns
• Victor Green and his Green Book
• Automotive Hall of Fame honors
• Non "Sun Down" towns on Route 66
• Murray's Dude Ranch and other popular Route 66 stops
• Nat King Cole treatment along The Mother Road
• An incredible story about Candacy's step-father, Ron
• The Green Book movie- how accurate is it?
• Candacy's academic accolades
• The Smithsonian exhibit
• Overground Railroad: The Young Adult version for teens -
1 hr
71. Driving a 100 year old automobile on Route 66 - Ed Fogle
Show notes
During the centennial year of Route 66 many people will drive historic Route 66. However, Ed Fogle has driven the entire route in a 100 year old Hupmobile, an automobile that stopped production in the 1939. Join the Route 66 Podcast as Ed tells what it was like driving an "orphan" vehicle along Route 66, without any air conditioning, speedometer, odemeter, gas gauge, shocks, and wooden wheels!
Highlights from the show include:
• Earlier memories of driving Route 66 in a '59 convertable
• locating a 100 year old automobile at an Arizona car museum
• Insistance on buying an "orphan" car instead of a Model T
• The initial test drive lasted less than one mile
• What a 1929 automobile does not have
• Getting creative without any dashboard information
• What to bring in case of breakdowns
• Both simple and complicated breakdowns
• The role of Ed's wife Jackie - Chief Navigator
• Highlights along the trip
• The biggest challenge: City or Mountain driving?
• The day the engine fell out
• Access to the Santa Monica Pier
• How the journey has changed Ed and Jackie's life -
1 hr 7 min
70. Horatio Nelson Jackson: The first person to drive an automobile across America
Show notes
In 1903 a Horatio Nelson Jackson, an eccentric doctor from Vermont, makes a $50 bet that he can be the first person to drive an automobile coast to coast in under 90 days. Despite not even owning a car, having no driving experience, and no road maps to plan the route Jackson heads out within five days of making the wager. The story was first written in the book, Horatio's Drive: America's first road trip, by Dayton Duncan, who would later unite with documentary film maker Ken Burns to create a feature PBS documentary film.
Highlights from the show include:
•
What makes a really good road trip?
•
Road tripping basics
•
Dayton earliest road trip memory
•
Dayton's first impression of Ken Burns
•
The Brooklyn Bridge film
•
The most unusual $50 wager at a California social club
•
Discovering Horatio Nelson Jackson
•
Settling on the Winton touring car
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The start of the 1903 trip in San Francisco
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Documenting the trip
•
Picking up a 4 legged passenger along the Route
•
What happens when Jackson asked for directions
•
Copy cats attempting to cross the continent by auto
•
Packard Company attempt
•
Oldsmobile attempt
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Winton Car Company asks Jackson to allow sponsorship
•
Jackson turns down any financial help
•
Jackson arrives into NYC under his own terms
•
Packard and Oldsmobile final results
•
Life after the historic ride
•
Working alongside Ken Burns
•
Artifacts at The Smithsonian Museum
Thank you to Route 66 Podcast supporters, including:
• Rob and Cheryl Cochran – Maryland
• Jim Crabtree – California
• Todd Farrell – Nebraska
• John Garza - Texas
• Rich Havlik – Minnesota
• Mary Nicholson – Pennsylvania
• Phil Norton - Pennsylvania
• Mark Wilson – TexasAnd from the United Kingdom
• Charli Beeton
THE MOTHER ROAD AT 100: The Voices of Route 66
A multimedia presentation featuring Route 66 before, during, and after its heyday
During the centennial year of Route 66 schedule a virtual or in person presentation by Route 66 Podcast host, Anthony Arno, highlighting episodes over the past 10 years. An optional trivia option is available, where all attendees can participate to win Route 66 related prizes- either virtually or in person!
Click HERE for more information
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48 min
69. Chain of Rocks Bridge
Show notes
The Chain of Rocks Bridge was an active Route 66 passage over the Mississippi River between 1936 - 1966. Although no longer open to vehicular traffic, the Chain of Rocks Bridge allows visitors to walk a 1 mile authentic stretch of Route 66 across the Mississippi.
Join Route 66 Podcast host Anthony Arno as he talks tih Elizabeth Simmons, from the Great Rivers Greenway about the popularity and almost complete demise of the Chain of Rocks bridge.
Highlights from this episode include:
•
The Great Rivers Greenway Mission
•
Earliest bridges to cross the Mississippi River
•
Physical location of Chain of Rocks Bridge
•
1936 Route 66 alignment on Chain of Rocks Bridge
•
Peak bridge years with amusement park
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Commercial barge traffic on Mississippi River
•
Namesake of Chain of Rocks
•
Chain of Rocks channel
•
Chouteau Island
•
Construction of 1953 canal on east side
•
Castle like structures at Chain of Rock Bridge
•
Physical dimensions and unusual bend on Chain of Rocks Bridge
•
Gretchen (bridge keeper volunteer)
•
Earliest memory of Chain of Rocks Bridge
•
Involvement as an ambassador at Chain of Rocks Bridge
•
Typical bridge keeper duties
•
Personal connection to bridge
•
Most memorable people on the bridge
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Wildlife sightings on Mississippi
•
Most recent renovations on the bridge
1970 - 1999
•
Bridge closed to the public and slated for demolition
•
What ironically saved the Chain of Rocks Bridge from demolition
•
Reopening as a pedestrian bridge in 1999 with Trialnet
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Great Rivers Greenway established in 2000
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Future options for Chain of Rocks Bridge
•
Activities and events at Chain of Rocks Bridge
•
Other Green Rivers Greenway destinations
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30 min
68. Remembering Connie Echols of The Wagon Wheel Motel (Encore)
Show notes
Remembering Connie Echols
The Route 66 Podcast pays a special tribute to Connie Echols, who passed away on May 2, 2026, at the age of 76 years old. The Wagon Wheel Motel is the longest, continuously operated motel along Route 66.
The Route 66 Podcast pays a special tribute to Connie Echols, who passed away on May 2, 2026, at the age of 76 years old.
This episode was originally released in 2018 as Connie was nearing her 10th anniversary of owning and operating The Wagon Wheel Motel.
Join host Anthony Arno as he talks with Connie about:
Website: The Wagon Wheel Motel
Website: Wagon Wheel Facebook Page
http://www.route66podcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Wagon-Wheel-Connie-2.jpeg
Connie Echols, owner Wagon Wheel Motel
Show highlights:
• Connie's other profession before purchasing The Wagon Wheel Motel
• Early history of The Wagon Wheel Motel
• Most popular items sold at The Wagon Wheel Gift Shop
• Why the original motel garages were removed from adjoining rooms
• The original Wagon Wheel Neon sign and why there's only one sign facing east, and no sign facing travelers as they travel west
• Keeping in touch with other historic Route 66 Motels
• Latest projects at The Wagon Wheel that Connie is working on
• Local area attractions for Cuba, MO
• Annual events in the area
• Famous guests who stayed at The Wagon Wheel Motel -
1 hr 10 min
67. Cadillac Ranch
Show notes
The Cadillac Ranch is one of the most popular stops along Route 66, and on this very special episode, host Anthony Arno speaks with the only surviving who created the art installation. At 81 years old, Chip not only talks about establishing Ant Farm, the creative group behind the Cadillac Ranch, but two other "unimaginable" projects that honor the automobile.
Join Anthony as he talks with Chip about
• Pivoting away from a traditional career as an architect
• How Ant Farm was established and the origin behind the name
• Finding and burying 10 classic Cadillacs in Texas
• The intention was never to allow visitors defact the cars with grafitti
• Working with Amarillo businessman Stanly Marsh, who financed the project
• Bruch Springsteen sings about The Cadillac Ranch
• Quietly relocating the ranch down the road 23 years later
• Modifications to cars that were burried at the Cadillac Ranch
• Preserving the Cadillac Ranch
• Special anniversary celebrations
• The secret behind the Cadillac RanchMEDIA BURN
• Creating a "spectacle" was the goal
• Evil Knieval meets a lunar launch with a JFK impersonator
• Secretly renting the parking lot of the Cow Palace
• Setting 100 TV's on fire- you only get one chanceGM TRAINING VIDEO
•
• 1950'S GM training video for sales force
• Widely accepted for something so basic from decades earlier
• Public performance at Whitney Museum
• Chip played the rold of customer• Age of Youtube culture
• What would be done differently?
• What happened to Ant Farm movement?
• Ant Farm fire
• Chip's public Persona and recognition today
• EALI & Columbia University Ant Farm Archives -
29 min
66. The 66th Episode!
Show notes
It's our 66th episode, and that's a major milestone in the world of podcasting! In fact, less than 7% of all podcasts ever launched ever make it to thier 66th episode.
Join Route 66 host Anthony Arno as he is joined by his wife sharing his thoughts on the podcast along with some other things that listeners never knew about.
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58 min
65. Cyrus Stevens Avery: Father of Route 66
Show notes
To celebrate the centennial of Route 66 in 2026, the very first episode of the year features the life of the Father of Route 66- Cyrus Stevens Avery.
Join Route 66 Podcast host Anthony Arno as he talks with Susan Croce Kelly, author of Father of Route 66: Cy Avery. More than establishing Route 66, Avery was a proponent of the Good Roads Movement and advocated for paved roads at the introduction of the automobile in America.
Highlights from the show include:
• Teaming up with Quinta Scott in 1990 to write Route 66: The Highway and Its People
• Searching for Route 66
• Avery's childhood
• Avery travels west in a covered wagon at age 13
• Awareness of road conditions as a young pioneer
• Populariity of bicycles in establishing paved roads• Avery pulls America out of the mud
• What did Avery get right?
• Replacing named roads with numbered roads
• Road construction and technology
• Need for proper signage with road travel
• Rapid growth of automobiles with Model T introduction
• Railroad perspective regarding paved roads
• Avery reluctantly accepts the number "66" for his road
• Secretary of Agriculture in charge of road construction
• What did Route 66 get right that the other highways of the day missed out on?
• US Highway 66 Association established to promote the road
• Proposing a 3400 mile coast to coast footrace along Route 66
• The Bunion Derby puts Route 66 on the world map
• The Great Depression years
• Running for governor of Oklahoma
• Providing clean drinking water to Tulsa
• Avery's biggest achievement (not Route 66)
• Modernizing the Tulsa airport
• Reflection• Importance of trip west for Avery in a covered wagon
• Replacing Route 66 with the Interstate Highway
• 1969 Highway Beautification Act removes local billboards
• Route 66 as a tourist attraction today• Centennial Plaza in Tulsa honors Avery
• Newspaper Women of the Ozarks book -
47 min
64. Waylan's Ku Ku Burger, Miami, OK
Show notes
At the age of 81 years old, Gene Waylan is operating the lask known Ku Ku Burger from what was one of 200 locations. How does a Kansas boy pivot from wanting to be a farmer to successfully operating an iconic Route 66 burger joint fo over 50 years?
Join Route 66 Podcast host Anthony Arno as he talks wth Gene about his 51 year career of flipping burgers along historic Route 66. Highlights from the show include:
• Transition from farmboy to flipping burgers
• The Griff Hamburger Years
• The Ku Ku Burger
• The McDonalds competition
• Don't Just Ask for a Burger, Ask for Waylans
• Settling down in Miami, OK
• Physical expansion in Miami
• Competing with McDonalds
• It's more than just good food...• Does Gene run the business, or does the business run Gene?
• Final wishes for the Ku Ku Burger
• Promotional keyrings and car shows
• Trademark attire through the years
• A visit from Bob Dylan
• Secret to cooking a good burger
• Next item on the bucket list
• Reason for limited hours and closed seating
• Expected sale of Waylan's Ku Ku Burger? -
1 hr
63: Route 66 The first 100 Years (authors Jim Ross and Shellee Graham)
Show notes
Join Route 66 Podcast host Anthony Arno, as he talks with probably two of the most popular authors of Route 66: Jim Ross and Shellee Graham. Together, Ross and Graham have written over ten different books featuring The Mother Road. Their latest book, Route 66:The first 100 Years, covers the complete history of the road- before, during, and after the popularity of America's Main Street.
Highlights from the show include:
• How did two Route 66 advocates ever meet and eventually become a married couple?
• Earliest memories of Route 66
• Living in one of the most remarkable homes on Route 66
• What makes, Route 66 The first 100 Years, different from every other Route 66 book?
• Publishing a Route 66 book with complete artistic control
• What came first: The words or pictures?
• Sifting through hundreds of vintage Route 66 images to include in the book
• The Legend of Route 66
• Route 66 Native American influence
• Trading Post or Tourist Trap?• Two Guns
• The story of The Apache Death Cave
• Route 66 Renaissance
• Painted Desert Trading Post
• Naysayers of Route 66
• Route 66 Fact or Fiction?
• Route 66 Crossings (Route 66 bridges)
• Deep Tracks Project (Mapping hundreds of Route 66 alignments)
• Traits of a Route 66 travelerWebsite: Jim Ross
Website: Shellee Graham
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1 hr 14 min
62. Fair Oaks Pharmacy, California
Show notes
Despite being just a few miles from the end of the route, the Fair Oaks Pharmacy in South Pasadena, CA, is like walking into a time capsule. This 1910 establishment is the only operational compounding pharmacy on Route 66,combining a working pharmacy with a soda fountain bar.
Join Route 66 Podcast host Anthony Arno as he talks with Brenden Shaniani, partner in the Fair Oaks Soda Fountain about life in a working pharmacy that tried to distant itself from the Walgreens and Rite-Aid type pharmacies.
Highlights from the show include:
• Fair Oaks Pharmacy as a time capsule
• Original 1915 proprietor,Gertrude Ozmun• An unusual wedding proposal that Ozmun could not resist by a hopeful US Senator
• Various iterations of Fair Oaks Pharmacy
• Connection between a soda fountain and a pharmacy
• Soda fountain lingo
• Previous owner, Michael Miller, talks about his 1500 mile trek to Missourito relocate an authentic Route 66 soda fountain shop
• Parents purchase of Fair Oaks after immigrating from Iran
• Running a pharmacy as a family business
• A walk through the pharmacy gift shop and the most popular items
• Fair Oaks Pharmacy in pop culture
• Most popular visitors to Fair Oaks Pharmacy
• Proudest moments at the pharmacy
• Celebrating 110th anniversary of Fair Oaks Pharmacy
• Other area attractions in South PasadenaThank you to Route 66 Podcast & Scholarship supporters, including
• Rob and Cheryl Cochran - Maryland
• Reed Coles - Nebraska
• Jim Crabtree – California
• Todd Farrell - Nebraska
• Rich Havlik – Minnesota
• Mary Nicholson – Pennsylvania
• Mark Wilson - TexasAnd from the United Kingdom
•
Charli Beeton
Route 66 Tours led by Route 66 Podcast host, Anthony Arno
Please consider supporting both The Route 66 Podcast and Scholarship Program through Patreon.
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1 hr 2 min
61. The Clinton Route 66 Museum
Show notes
There are many Route 66 museums, but probably one of the most comprehensive and largest museums is the Route 66 Oklahoma Museum. Route 66 Podcast talks with Pat Smith, curator of the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum. The displays are all professionally laid out and are part of the Oklahoma Historical Society.
Join host Anthony Arno as he talks with Pat Smith about the following:
• Introducing the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum
• Where is Clinton, OK?
• The Oklahoma Historical Society
• Comparason to other Route 66 museums
• Pat Smith - Curator• Earliest memory of Route 66
• The 1995 opening of the museum
• Staff and Volunteers
• Annual visitors• Origin of artifacts for Route 66 Museum
• Authentic Valentine Diner
• Typical donation inquiries• Layout of Museum
• Classic car collection
• The museum decade by decade• The Gift Shop
• Past museum milestones
• Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame
• Centennial celebration planning
• Pat's favorite gallery
• Famous (and not so famous) museum visitors
• Planning your visit to the museumThank you to Route 66 Podcast & Scholarship supporters, including
• Rob and Cheryl Cochran - Maryland
• Reed Coles - Nebraska
• Jim Crabtree – California
• Todd Farrell - Nebraska
• Rich Havlik – Minnesota
• Mary Nicholson – Pennsylvania
• Mark Wilson - TexasAnd from the United Kingdom
•
Charli Beeton
Route 66 Tours led by Route 66 Podcast host, Anthony Arno
Please consider supporting both The Route 66 Podcast and Scholarship Program through Patreon.
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47 min
60. The Ariston Cafe, Litchfield, IL
Show notes
THE ARISTON CAFE
The Ariston Cafe located in Litchfield, IL, is the longest continously operated family restaraunt along Route 66. Established by Pete Adam, a Greek immigrant who arrived here in America in 1905 at the age of 15.
Hear the whole history of The Ariston Cafe by the founders son, Nick Adam. At 85 years old, Nick tells about how his father arrived here in America with no clear vision and worked in a wide variety of occupations from managing a Boston shoe shining parlor to working in a Colorado mine.
Even before considering the restaraunt business, Pete returned back home to Greece in 1919 to help fight the Greco-Turkish War. After the war, Pete returns back to America and his life would change forever when a complete stranger offers Pete $1000 to open up a Greek diner.
Highlights from the show include:
•
The arrival of 15 year old Pete Adam to America
•
Decision to return back to Greece to join the war effort
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Pete tries to make it again in America a second time
•
The Candy Kitchen Days
• A total stranger gives Pete an ultimatum
• 1924 Ariston opens up• Past guest, Phil Gordon, recalls two Ariston locations
• Growing up at The Ariston
• The dream of law school
• Earliest memory of The Ariston
• Most popular dishes
• Life with Demi Adam
• Most memorable patrons at The Ariston
• Walking away from the Ariston
• Life after The Ariston (The Litchfield Route 66 Museum)
• is The Ariston important to Route 66?
• Local appreciation of The Ariston
• 100 years of advice to any Route 66 business owner
• 100th anniversary celebration of Ariston -
1 hr 16 min
59. Camp Cajon Mountain Pass, California
Show notes
The Cajon Pass is probably one of the most important sites along Route 66 in southern California. Long before Route 66. was established, the pass was an important route for early settlers, who often had to disassemble thier wagons to cross over the San Gabriel Mountains.
Join host Anthony Arno as he talks wtih local hsitorian, Mark Landis about the evolution of the pass from The Spanish Trail, The John Brown Toll Road, The Old Trails Highway, and eventually Route 66.
Even more impressive is the work of William Bristol, who in 1919 saw the potential of future motorist passing through the region after journeying across the Mojave Desert. Bristol was an entrepreneuar, poet, stone mason, and artesian who established Camp Cajon at the top of the pass, a place for weiry motorist to rest after making the treterous journey across the desert.
Highlights from the show include:
• Geographic location of Cajon Pass
• Cajon Pass Rou• Early footpath for Native Americans
• Old Spanish Trail
• John Brown Toll Road
• Old Trails National Highway
• Route 66• Arrival of William Bristol into southern California
• Citrus Farmer
• Poet
• 1919 Dedication of Camp Cajon• Flood of 1938
• Relocation of Route 66
• Other monuments in Cajon Pass region
• Visiting Cajon Pass today
• Bristol re-invents himself• Acorn Lodge
• Death of Bristol
• How will Bristol be remembered?
• The Popular Summit Inn Restaurant on Route 66Thank you to Route 66 Podcast & Scholarship supporters, including
• Rob and Cheryl Cochran - Maryland
• Reed Coles - Nebraska
• Jim Crabtree – California
• Todd Farrell - Nebraska
• Rich Havlik – Minnesota
• Mary Nicholson – Pennsylvania
• Mark Wilson - TexasAnd from the United Kingdom
• Charli Beeton
BUSINESS LEVEL SPONSORS
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.
Route 66 Tours led by Route 66 Podcast host, Anthony Arno
Please consider supporting both The Route 66 Podcast and Scholarship Program through Patreon.
Meet our 2024 Route 66 Scholarship Recipient, Emma Wheeler
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50 min
59. The Round Barn, Arcadia, OK
Show notes
Join Route 66 Podcast host Anthony Arno, as he talks with Joseph Baxter , a dedicated preservationist and volunteer at the Round Barn. It's the only Round Barn along Route 66, but even more impressive is the history of the barn and its builder, William Oder.
• Early history of Round Barns
• Needed skill and architectural knowledge for construction• The genius of William Oder and his Round Barn
• Last minute construction revision to make Round Barn a focal point for area social dances• Frank Vrana years and eventual deterioration of barn
• Vrana family donation of the Round Barn
• Luke Robinson and the Over-the-Hill Gang
• Round Barn reopens (1992)
• Planning your visit to the Round Barn
• Other area attractions -
32 min
57. The 2024 Route 66 Scholarship Episode
Show notes
Join Route 66 Podcast host, Anthony Arno, as he talks with Emma Wheeler, the latest winner of a $1000 Route 66 College Scholarship Award.
Emma is currenlty a sophmore at Maryville University, studying secondard education.
Highlights from the show include:
• Hometown: Augusta and Washington, Missouri
• Corn Pipe Capitol of the World
• Notable residents - Jack Wagner
• Closest point to Route 66 (Cuba, MO)• Earliest memory of Route 66 and Pixar's Cars
• Nearby Route 66 sites
• Awareness of Route 66 among friends
• Family interest in classic cars
• Washington Town & Country Fair
• High School Highlights
• Personal Hobbies
• Maryville University and Career Goals
• Video Submission• Video Format
• Video segments -
1 hr 17 min
56. Route 66 Matchcover Collector: Phil Gordon
Show notes
Phil Gordon has a unique hobby related to Route 66. As an engineer, he's very careful not to let even his closest acquaintances know that he is passionate about collecting historic Route 66 matchcovers. With a collection beyond 5000 matchcovers, Phil has painstakingly scanned and uploaded his collection online to share with the world and Route 66 fans.
Join The Route 66 Podcast host Anthony Arno as he talks with Phil about one of the most unusual hobbies as a phillumenist. Highlights include:
•
Matchbook versus matchcover Collecting
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Does the absence of matches in a matchcover collection diminish the value?
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Earliest history of matches and matchbook advertising
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Most popular configurations of matchbooks
•
Philuminist by definition
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Transition from collecting postcards to match covers
•
The original 10 matchcovers in Phil's collection
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The most coveted Route 66 matchcover: Peach Springs Garage
•
What do people think of someone who has collected over 5,000 matchcovers?
•
Developing an organized system for collecting and cataloging Route 66 matchcovers
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Motels and lodgings
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Cafes and restaurants
•
Gas stations
• Trading Posts
• Full length matchcovers designs
•Background knowledge needed for collecting matchcovers
•
Ebay scammers selling matchcovers
•
Current demand for matchbooks
•
Rear striker versus front striker matchbooks design changes (1973)
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Back striker safety versus rear striker
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Discovering unknown Route 66 history through match cover collecting
•
The ultimate Route 66 matchcover that Phil has spent 20+ years searching for
•
Scherer's (estimated value $50)
•
The holy grail of matccovers outside of Route 66: Charles Lindbergh (estimated value several thousand)
•
The very first advertising: hand written matcbook covers
•
First commercial matchbook ever printed
•
Initial interest in posting matchovers online: Whiting brothers
•
Sharing matchcovers online with the whole world
•
Step by step process for uploading matchcovers
•
Popularity of matchbooks today with the decline of smoking
•
National organization of matchcover collectors
The Route 66 Matchcover Collector - Search wide variety of Route 66 establishments for matchcovers
Phil's Route 66 Website: Personal website containing both postcards and matchcovers
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1 hr 5 min
55. Barbed Wire Museum, McLean, TX
Show notes
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
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42 min
54. Remembering Ramona Lehman - The Munger Moss Motel (Encore)
Show notes
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 collectionhttp://www.route66podcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/bob-lehman-toy-collection.jpeg
• 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
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