Route 66 Podcast

  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 Ranch MEDIA BURN Creating a "spectacle

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.

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 relu

                            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 bu

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 De

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 museum Thank you to Route 6

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 fam

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 Pete tries to make it again in America a second time The Candy Kitchen Days A t

  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 Tr

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    

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 2022 Route 66 Scholarship Program Episode 2020 Route 66 Scholarship Program Episode

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 Does the absence of matches in a matchcover collection diminish the value? Earliest history of matches and matchbook advertising Most popular configurations of matchbooks Philuminist by definition Transition from collecting postcards to match covers The original 10 matchcovers in Phil's collection  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 sy

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  H

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 Mun

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 Adve

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  

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

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: Earliest memory of Route 66 Joyce's role with the Route 66 Passport Annette's teaching career and early love of reading Origin of ABC, What Do You See? Rolling Along Route 66 and how the author and illustrator met Annette reads from her favorite page Joyce shares her favorite illustrations The planning phase during a worldwide pandemic Writing a Children's book versus and Adult book Writing Challenges in relating Route 66 in ABC order inst

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) Early history of Shamrock, TX Local attractions: Blarney Stone, Water Tower, US Hwy 83 U-Drop Inn name origin Newspaper Account: Name selected for Highway Cafe Architectural style of U-Drop Inn Newspaper Account: Much Praise to Shamrock Architect    Pixar visits U-drop Inn and inspires Cars movie Local appreciation of the U-Drop Inn Chamber Office resources for Route 66 traveler   Hazel J

  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 few 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 DeValve was 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 University Deanna works part time at the Route 66 Nat