The Tragic Tale of Budville and Deadman's Curve on Route 66 in New Mexico
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 พ.ค. 2024
- The ghost town of Budville, New Mexico is like a lot of small towns that were bypassed by the interstate. The streets are empty and the businesses are long-closed. The town's real tragedy came in 1967 though.
In November 1967, the founder of the town, Bud Rice, and an elderly employee of the Budville Trading Company were murdered in cold blood, just feet away from Route 66. Four years later, the Budville trading Company was the site of a third unsolved murder.
If the tragedy of Budville isn't enough, just a few miles east of the town is one of several spots along Route 66 that have been nicknamed Deadman's Curve. A dangerous stretch of road with a blind curve.
In this video we travel to Budville and explore its history before taking on Deadman's Curve.
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My Dad was a trucker and we pulled off so he could sleep and woke up to snow. At 2am we had a snowball fight. Thanks for the memories.
Your dad pulled himself off?
@@MajorT0mHey, his mom was out of town and I was lonely
That’s such a sweet story ignore these meatheads
I turned 66 today so decided this is my Route 66 year….googled your videos….very good!
Thanks Steve. You make armchair tourism fun.
Thank you.
How about a cash donation to show your gratitude. Links in the description.
Great Post . Love RT 66 .. BEST ADVENTURES EVER!! . Many vacations driven on this historic route ❤️❤️💯💯🌹🌹🙏🙏😃😃🎊🔥💯🤠🤠
STEVE! "Dead Mans' Curve' Immediately brought the Jan and Dean song to mind.
And now I can't get it out of my head!
As a so cal native , I and some friends drove to d m c in '66 . Also saw Jan and dean live at least 5× around so. cal 👍
The Jan & Dean song is about 'dead man's curve" on Mulholland
@@jenniferanne4143 Yes, I know but anytime you talk about a 'dead mans curve' it brings that song to my mind. Doesn't matter which one.
@@Neil-ru7kw
You are fortunate! You saw them before '66? Never able to see J & D but had a great time at a Beach Boys concert in '87 at Duke's Stadium Albuscratchy, NM.
Hi Steve . In '78 after recently becoming an owner/operator in trucking , I decided to take as much of rt. 66 as I could on my way back to So. Cal from Witchita Falls Tx. I actually parked at dead man's and slept . Got up at sunrise and made coffee . That's a beautiful spot in person . Owl rock is close by . An older man I knew drove that highway from South Gate Ca. to Albuquerque and back from '49-'62 for a large carrier called ICX (Illinois-California-Express) . Also on google maps if you zoom down to the plateau above the curve you'll see remnants of a rock structure . Native American maybe ????? Take Care 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
ICX had a Phoenix terminal. One of many victims of trucking deregulation. I think they folded around 1983.
@@muffs55mercury61 yep . He would go there and on over Yarnell to Albuquerque sometimes . His bro drove team for them and in '63 , right after they started cabover doubles was in a middle of night head-on with a station wagon , mom dad 4 of 5 kids dead . One 7 y.o boy I n the very back lived , broken arm and leg . Ken broke the the brake pedal off , got his sternum sholder blades and kneecap broken , co driver throw out of the bunk and injured . Ken never was able to go back driving . I was 13 when this happened . Take care 👍
@@Neil-ru7kw Yes by then it was longer hauls and bigger equipment and thus the interstates were needed more than ever. By the late 1960s and into the 1970s, Route 66 in Arizona (the longest stretches still in use) were becoming more lethal, usually from cars trying to pass a slower truck. Every three or four days and some instances sooner there was a massive wreck on Route 66 with multiple fatalities. The desert was last priority for the interstate building.
Looks like the remains of a stone house/ranch. You can see it in the drone footage @8:31
What a sad & tragic story from you truck drivers. I love the input the truckers make on this channel, they're the knights of the roadways. I drive a large RV and share roads with them constantly. The vast majority are extremely skilled & polite drivers.
Hi, I am from Moriarty, the Whiting Brothers station as been refurbished, but no fuel is sold there, just and FYI, but it is pretty. Thank you for your videos, they bring me a lot of joy.
Great for pictures if you have a classic car.
I look forward to these videos every week!
Should have 1 million subscribers
Glad you like them!
@@saminaneen Yet here you are
It's not boring, it's relaxing for those of us that like to travel! Especially for those of us who can't travel anymore because of age and disability! So go look for something exciting you young whippersnapper! Always looking forward to the next one Steve!!
@@saminaneen Fine, dingdong, so go watch some "Travels of the Rich & Famous" video jacked up with crappy hip-hop. 😂
It's fascinating stretch of old 66. I've been on that stretch many times over the last 53 years. Thanks for another great video.
liberals ruined it
Nice history lesson Steve. Thank you!
Glad you enjoyed it
Really like how you tied the deaths in budville to those attributed to dead man's curve. Excellent storytelling, as always.
Thank you.
This literally is my favorite site on TH-cam. I have ridden or driven Route 66 over 3 dozen times starting as a baby in 1966 and continuing until it was gone! So many GREAT memories
Thank you, Steve. Your videos allow me to see and hear the many stories of places that I would never see or go to. Keep it up!
My wife and I stopped in Budville, while on a road trip, about twenty years ago. The gas station / trading post property was for sale. I spoke with the seller and tried to negotiate a deal. But, the price they wanted was much higher than I felt it was worth and we were unable to make a deal. I liked that property and wished I could buy it. Oh well, shoulda, coulda, woulda, right? Thanks for another fun and interesting video. I always watch and enjoy your content.
A little slow LoL but exactly where is budville been on route 66 many times and drove it lost at this moment
Thank you Steve. As always, you do great history lessons. If my wife, myself and our children ever went to America, you and your wife would be our first choice for tour guides.
LOVE LOVE LOVE❤ this. One of my favorite sections of Route 66. I was just through there a couple of years ago. Thank you for doing these. Your videos are great.
Thank you. Yeah, I think New Mexico and Arizona might be the two best Route 66 states.
@@SidetrackAdventures agreed
Excellent story, voiceover and video work as always. Thanks so much Steve.
Thanks!
@@SidetrackAdventures You could actually do voicework professionally, if so inclined. I can understand everything you speak.
Budville had a reputation for being a "rip-off" location when a vehicle needed some TLC. In 1959 I rode with my grandparents and remember staying in Grants, west of San Fidel and Budville. The next morning my grandpa made certain we could easily drive from Grants through San Fidel, Budville, Laguna, and past the junction with the rickety-looking wooden bridge over the railroad to Belen then on to Albuquerque with no stops what-so-ever.
Years later Budville (i.e. Mr.Budville himself) was instrumental, according to the talk over coffee, of getting the Anti-Bypass Law passed in Santa Fe in the legislature. That resulted in local towns (read Budville) having the ability to delay I-40 construction from East of Budville to west of San Fidel forcing vehicles to drive the two-lane US-66 highway. That went on for a few years in the '60s long after the Interstate avoided the junction with NM route 6, deadmans curve, Owl rock and Laguna.
Another short piece of the old highway is at the NM -Texas border at San Jon.
Absolutely love the “Off the beaten path” locations and obscure history that will be soon lost if not brought back into the light. Great job and always look forward to the Route 66 information for trip planning. 👍
Marvelous, as always. Thank you.
Thank you.
Awesome video thank you, you do amazing videos and I appreciate them all. I've been to many of the places you have been to when I was younger but now I can't travel so I live through your videos. Many bring back great memories and others I wish I had been able to go to.
Again thank you for what you do
Thank you, I appreciate it.
Another great video! Thanks Steve.
Thank you.
I got a teaching job in Las Vegas from 86 until 89. I drove from Kansas City to Las Vegas and I was able to drive about 60 Mi of old Route 66 through Seligman. A wonderful step back in time❤
In 1967 I was a student at UNM in Albuquerque. I don’t remember this incident, although I’m sure it was in the news. When I started in fall of 1964, the interstate only ran from Carlisle out to Tijeras Canyon. Not sure when it was extended to the west.
Someday I'd love to visit some of these places. You do such a good job making them interesting! I've never been further west than about Minnesota, so all of this is completely unexplored territory for me.
If you get the chance, I recommend it. Everything is so much more spread out in the west, you can drive for hours just looking at the scenery with no real towns.
Thanks Steve! Always looking forward to your videos
Thank you. I appreciate it.
I amd constantly amazed and intrigued by the stories and roads you find. I don't klnow eactly you locate such lore, but keep on doing it!
"So that ends what is obviously one of our more CHEERFUL adventures!" That made me laugh!!!
Thank you, Steve! Always was curious about both spots! 😎✌️
Enjoyed today's video. Thank You Sir. THE SARGE
How insane that the one fatality was a pedestrian involved accident in such a remote area
Not so remote. About a mile west is the village of Laguna and 2 miles southeast is the village of Mesita , both on the Laguna Reservation. Back then it was not unusual for tribal members to walk from village to village. I do remember the moniker Dead Man’s Curve but never heard of any auto accidents occurring there. Traveled that stretch many times.
Coffee and Misadventures!
I've just discovered your channel. It is great! The best story telling via any medium comes from people with reverence for their subjects over and above promoting themselves, or getting off on being a TH-cam celebrity, writer, film maker, whatever. You do a great job: simple, straight forward, well researched, fact oriented and put together in a way that leads your audience's interest along at just the right pace ... and its about the subject matter, not about you. Great work!
Really good. Thanks for sharing…!
My pleasure!
The road from Barstow CA to Ft Irwin had a curve named Deadmans. The road was realigned and bypassed the curve decades ago. One of my relatives passed away around 16 years ago, and we found a skull and crossbones sign from the curve in his stuff. I donated it to the Ft Irwin museum.
Speaking of that road from Barstow CA to Ft. Irwin,,, I believe that stretch of road (that use to be known as Deadmans curve) is now call "The JackHammer". From Oct, 2010 to June, 2012 I was stationed as a civilian DoD contracted worker at Ft. Irwin. I lived in Barstow CA at the time,, and as I commutted,, I did that drive EVERY day. Was part of a van pool. I always looked forward to climbing UP it in the late afternoon (going home) cause that was the sign we were getting close to Barstow. I wasn't living/(working) there at the time but I remember one cold Wintry afternoon (February, 2009) a snow blizzard blew through,, just North of Barstow. It made the Jackhammer stretch of road UNpassable. Lots of workers (Military and Civilian) were stranded there at Fort Irwin overnight,, and couldn't get home to Barstow (or Victorville,, wherever they lived).
What a sad story.
Yeah. No one was ever convicted of any of the killings too!
I love this guy -he appreciates everything I do.
Thanks! Steve 🚗
You're welcome.
That stretch of US66 with Deadman’s Curve… I took that road once a couple years ago in my semi when 40 was shut down. I recognized it instantly. It was a bit tight. Never knew the history behind it. Thanks!
Wow I was at Budville 2 weeks ago
We almost crossed paths
Great story
Thanks Steve for sharing. Rt 66 is on my itinerary for a future roadtrip. 😊
I look forward to your own video of "Buddy Visits Budville".
These videos are always a TH-cam highlight of mine. Thanks Steve!
Really cool. I’ve been on that section of I-40 many times, but never Route 66.
"some people claim this place is haunted ..."
It outta be! Great story and presentation. Thanks!
Found your channel within the last 5-8 months. Truly enjoyable. 👍👍👍
Thank you, I appreciate it.
@@SidetrackAdventures you need some quality specific commercial support like travel companies or gas companies supporting you
Great video thanks for sharing
Thank you.
Interesting, and tragic. Thank you.
Love the road video
I super look forward to every video you put out!! I always enjoy watching your take on a location!
I just realized that although I've watched about thirty of your videos, I hadn't subscribed yet. Great content and research of your destinations. You go on some awesome adventures, Steve. Thank you for bringing us along.
....tremendous post, Steve.......thanks for sharing.
So many people are enjoying your videos......
Always nice to see a new one 😊
Dude! Thanks for braving snow to film for us! This story sounds like one of those Swedish films where everybody dies in a tiny rural town in the middle of nowhere. LOL about Budweiser in Budville.
so that was snow ?
@heyoldman2003
It's a little different in that area, I guess.
What did you think it was instant potatoes?
Drove the entire route 66 back in 73 in my Studebaker coupe on my way to L.A. it was quite an adventure, pretty scenic too.
Thanks Steve - fascinating story.
Thank you for this lovely tour of old Rt 66 USA.
FYI for anyone heading to NZ, we have many, many, MANY way worse, narrower - scrape your paint on rock one way, less than half meter away sheer drop to certain death - no rails, curves on MAIN travel through roads. So heads up you will need to drive with full attention & plan HALF the drive time you normally would (MAX!) cuz TRUST ME you will be exhausted & frazzled at the end of each day on that schedule alone. ....until you get like us that is & actually enjoy driving them on good tyres. SO many accidents caused by tourists underestimating our roads, be safe. 🙂
I look forward to you videos as well because I know nothing about the areas your videos are showing. Thank you Steve!
"I promise, next time no murders" 😂. Very interesting video, every dilapidated abandoned building has a story to tell... Thanks for telling them!
That was great line!
Excellent video! Thank you!
Thanks Steve for this great information
I went from Amarillo, Texas to Sill OK December, 8th. 1952 the day I was inducted into the army
was that route 66 I feel like it was.
Great video. Wonderful channel.
Great video, as always. I'd heard the story of the original murders before, but didn't know about the second shooting. Thems was violent times, in New Mexicy.
So interesting, have seen this place for many years, never knew it's history
It's a really cool looking building for pictures. I'm glad its still in good shape.
I love all the details you put into your videos man! I want to go here soon too!
Great story!! Always interesting to hear The Truth about the "stories." Thanks!!
Thanks, Steve!
Very good video.
Thank you.
Your videos are steadily getting better. Good job!!
I really enjoy seeing the places and hearing the stories of places I will never get to visit.
Thank you !
Excellent narration Steve!
Just joined and look for more adventures.
Bloodvile seems cursed.
Deadman's curve looks awesome from the drone view. Fantastic topography. Great historic video Steve.
GREAT! KEEP IT COMING!!!!!
Thanks for providing informative and interesting lunch time viewing videos.
Loved the tour! Thanks!
Really cool and gruesome story I had not heard.....and I drove by there just last week! Thanks Steve ....from Steve....
I have been through New Mexico many times ! 48 years of traveling and have never met a friendly person in New Mexico !
I have met friendly people in New Mex. I lived there as a starting teacher and the summer after my 1st year. If it's Native Americans you're thinking of as not instantly friendly, in Navajo and Zuni, etc one is not supposed to exaggerate and impose a supposed friendship, that's rude, when you don't actually know each other. One also is not supposed to look 'forcefully' in people's eyes when not invited by comfortable familiarity. This can seem stand-offish to Californians and Midwesterners, but isn't intended to be; it's just different cultural norms.
Really enjoy your videos and how well researched they are.
As a dyed-in-the-wool desert rate, I appreciate seeing all these great sites and your insightful narration.
I just love these types of historical videos with a good story to go with it. Thanks for another great video, Steve. 👍
Great stories. Thank you.
Great job Steve. Reminds me of the song "dead man's curve" by Jan and Dean in the 1960s.
That is quite a curve.
Great video! I always wonder about places like this. You give the real history. Very interesting.
Hi: I enjoy your style. Thank you.
that road looked amazingly maintained
Great video, thanks😊
Love these videos! Thanks for all the effort and time you put into them.
Excellently presented and thanks for sharing.
I love your videos. Thank you for upload. Safe travels 🙏
I absolutely enjoy your channel I really look forward to it every week
That is quite a story. Thanks for sharing.
Dear Steve waiting for your vlog each day to know new tales and journeys, yes becoming indeed exploring with your vlog.
Love from Middle East
Steve-O in the snow. Great video!
Great vids!
Love the way you present these trips 👍💕
That's crazy, my grandmother's name was Flossie. Very cool video Steve!
I love your videos Steve, they are interesting, well informed and your articulate and soothing voice does my PTSD well for this old vet….thanks again, Jack
Thank you! Nice video again!
I've driven by Budville numerous times on I-40, but never knew this amazing history. Thanks for sharing Steve.
Sad stories but thanks for sharing!
I always look down at budville….passing thru…curious, Now that I seen ur vlog…it’s interesting…thanks for gathering the INFO
Thank you mr. Steve, really enjoy your blast from the past down route 66 as well as your other adventures out that way in the desolate west - hailing to you from NE Fla. Take care and watch out on the roads for that subtle icing over.
You're right about the ubiquitousness of dead man's curve. I'm certain The Beach Boys weren't singing about New Mexico.
At one time my work commute in California involved traveling Pearblossom Highway in the desert, which had the well deserved nickname Blood Alley.