I saw this video on TH-cam back in 2013 and visited this very gas station afterwards on my route 66 honeymoon trip with the missus in October 2013, Its in Conway, Texas. Not that much has changed, the small café building and pumps are gone but the gas station part still exists as do all the grain silos around it.
I would like to thank the news station or who ever it was that put this on TH-cam. I really enjoyed it, sorta like watching old 8mm movies of dearly departed loved ones, nice and sad all at the same time. Thanks again.
How ironic that, at the time this report was made, most Americans were glad to leave Route 66 and the rest of the US Highway System behind along with their "old fashioned" motels and attractions. Now, while not quite as many as before, people want to go out of their way to travel 66 and some of the other great roads that were bypassed by the Interstate Highway System, see what is left, and revel in what has been restored. A great find, Lonestar101! Thank you for sharing!
Thank you for posting this. This is a glimpse of Route 66 before Michael Wallis' book, "Route 66: The Mother Road," started the revival. It's fascinating to watch.
I just returned from a trip to Las Vegas, and my wife and I drove the active part of 66 between Williams and Seligman. It is a beautiful drive if you have the time, and the souvenir shops along the way provide an interesting diversion. I got my kicks!
I've traveled all the original route through Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, and part of Missouri. From El Reno, OK all the way through to Lebanon MO. (about 400 miles) the route is completely intact
I use to drive a semi truck and I have traveled the entire Route 66 at one time or another! As I recall McLean had a tornado pass though there town I remember it was in the 90's. I was driving my semi truck and saw it cross the road in front of me which was I-40. In the daytime! Sky was dark, rain, and watched it cross I-40 into McLean! That was many years ago butI still remember!
I'm Brazilian, and i love the route 66, some day i gonna live in route, because the route is so much to me, in this place have real people, and had culture, old cars, great families, i hope it never gonna totally die. Even though there are people who think like me, wanting to not leave the route on the map .
I was too young to drive on it when it was still an active highway, but progress occurs. I'm sure the trading posts along the horse drawn coach-wagon trails were upset when Route-66 came up. Things will always change, and will never remain the way they are... I've lived at least long enough to realize that. I'm sad that I never got to see Route-66 in its glory... one day I'll cruise it in my grandfather's awesome huge old car that I inherited.
I used to live in Conway TX when i was a little girl. My mom worked in the then-standing cafes along Route 66, and my dad worked at one of the grain elevators there (Conway Wheat Growers). I used to go behind the old abandoned school house and play on the playground equipment. Sweet memories.
@TheJoshuaPat Yes, that is exactly what happened, which makes Route 66 a neat "time capsule" of American culture and history to explore. If you have the Cars DVD, the producer did a nice piece you can watch explaining their journey on the motherroad and how it influenced the story.
I applaud this reporter for his very true, if very blunt, words. Yes, travel time is reduced with interstates from Point A to B, but countless towns and countless gas station and cafe owners lost so much more than traffic when Route 66 died. We really lost our glimpse into the real America. Bud sadly, people have become more content with saving a few minutes than spending those minutes interacting and seeing.
its my mission in life to get an old car and drive as much of route 66 as physicly possible and take time to stop and see old buildings that have been forgotten in time. when you drive through places like that its like a window to the past and i want to look through it just once
The stretch between Kingman and Seligman is still a great drive. You can see old towns, curio shops, beautiful scenery and half a dozen sets of "new" Burma Shave signs!!
Sure there is a lot of nostalgia for the old buildings and restaurants along the historic 66. But the interstate highway system is an immense improvement over the old two lane highways that required you to slow down every 5 miles and crawl through small towns. You save so much time taking the limited access interstate expressways which are also much safer.
If you run old 66 west beyond Albuquerque near and/or in 1 of several Indian reservations be sure your car has a great set of shocks. 1 area of 66 I drove 10 years ago in New Mexico the ride was smoothest on the grass grade just beyond the pock-holed shoulder. The main stretch of pavement was so bad the fastest I could roll was 8 mph.
I once heard an Atlanta pastor preach a sermon, " It's only temporary".Whether we like it or not, depends on how it affects us. One thing for sure, we as well as most things, are here temporarily. Make the best of it.
actually a lot of people still drive the road. i would know. and there is an association every year where we pick a town to have a massive car show. Also, other people have other events along them and millions of people come along. yes, you can still drive the old route. it just gets cut off at some parts from the interstate. also, it follows the interstate except when it goes through the towns.
The government and large corporations should invest and rebuild and restore Route 66.We could reduce unemployment by putting people back to work in Route 66 restoration.This would be the modern Works Progress Administration (WPA). The difference would be rather than having the Government pick up the tab, have the large corporations pay.Give them tax incentives
@TheJoshuaPat Response part 2... Given the "abandoned" nature of Route 66, it's akin to going into old abandoned tunnels or railroads...but above ground. It takes a sense of adventure, an open mind, and a bit of "Indiana Jones" type interest in the past.
Route 66 is still about 80% intact -- you just have to know where to look. One of the best drives is an intact Arizona section from Ash Fork to Oatman. This is a well-done report, except for the fact that Route 66 was not the nation's first highway. It's sad to see that we've traded trips through towns with character for generic interstates. Faster, yes ... necessary, yes ... but not a better experience.
The Official "de-comissioning" of Route 66 did occur with the official completion of Interstate 40 (I-40) at Williams, AZ...so this is correct, Mr. Cumming. (please listen to Route 66 NPR Radio Commentary here on TH-cam) best, L.
continued... there are many famous landmarks along the way that are restored and it is truly a wonder to back in history and see the wonders of america. there is more than 170 miles. it is actually more popular to foreigners.
@sweetkali3 Some things from the past is best to leave behind. But if the remaining parts of Route 66 were restored, think of the tourist attraction! Nostalgia sells. Not nearly well as sex, but it still sells.
does anyone know if it is still possible to do all the route 66 from chicago to los angeles? i'm european and i'm very interested in doing all the route.
@jackdanveggie It's still around, just not identified on maps as U.S. 66 anymore. If you think you might want to travel it, buy the EZ66 Guide and/or check out websites like historic66-dot-com.
@TheJoshuaPat You asked "What's so special about this road thing" Well...your question is a basic one, and probably one many others wonder too (presuming you're serious). First, go do some homework reading about the history of cars, the history of highways, the history of Route 66 and American culture. Then go watch the Pixar movie "Cars". Then perhaps you might be able to answer your own question.
The interstate is dreadfully boring to drive on. I like stopping at the quirky shops and scenic drives, if I want to get somewhere fast, thats what planes are for.
I cruise Route 66,....... when I'm going to get gas, auto parts, church, McDonalds, taco bell, ...lol it's not to special of a thing for me. But I did go on a Route 66 drive through 3 states.
Interstate Highways are waste like (Clean Engery if I want to see pretty windmills I'll visit Holland) but getting back to subject therefor interstates should be tore up from ground besides I think farmers could use extra land to plant their crops. Since they are being screw by U.S. Government as for Route 66 the highway needs to be reopen but first repaired. You got two choices to head west. A. By Plane B. Taking Route 66
I saw this video on TH-cam back in 2013 and visited this very gas station afterwards on my route 66 honeymoon trip with the missus in October 2013, Its in Conway, Texas. Not that much has changed, the small café building and pumps are gone but the gas station part still exists as do all the grain silos around it.
I would like to thank the news station or who ever it was that put this on TH-cam. I really enjoyed it, sorta like watching old 8mm movies of dearly departed loved ones, nice and sad all at the same time. Thanks again.
The by-passing of McLean, TX and Williams, AZ occured within weeks of each other in 1984. McLean was the last town in Texas to be by-passed by I-40.
Thanks for posting the video. This is one of the thing I wanna do before passing away : drive the entire 66 !! Ciao from Italy !
How ironic that, at the time this report was made, most Americans were glad to leave Route 66 and the rest of the US Highway System behind along with their "old fashioned" motels and attractions. Now, while not quite as many as before, people want to go out of their way to travel 66 and some of the other great roads that were bypassed by the Interstate Highway System, see what is left, and revel in what has been restored.
A great find, Lonestar101! Thank you for sharing!
Thank you for posting this. This is a glimpse of Route 66 before Michael Wallis' book, "Route 66: The Mother Road," started the revival. It's fascinating to watch.
I use to drive a semi truck and I have traveled the entire Route 66 at one time or another!
I just returned from a trip to Las Vegas, and my wife and I drove the active part of 66 between Williams and Seligman. It is a beautiful drive if you have the time, and the souvenir shops along the way provide an interesting diversion.
I got my kicks!
I've traveled all the original route through Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, and part of Missouri.
From El Reno, OK all the way through to Lebanon MO. (about 400 miles) the route is completely intact
I'm haapy to say that back in 1949 on our families trip from PA to CA we traveled on R66from St Louis westward! What a great trip on Route 66!
thanks for uploading!!! can´t wait to travell on usa's motherroad :)
best regards and merry christmas & happy new year from stuttgart, germany.
I use to drive a semi truck and I have traveled the entire Route 66 at one time or another! As I recall McLean had a tornado pass though there town I remember it was in the 90's. I was driving my semi truck and saw it cross the road in front of me which was I-40. In the daytime! Sky was dark, rain, and watched it cross I-40 into McLean! That was many years ago butI still remember!
I'm Brazilian, and i love the route 66, some day i gonna live in route, because the route is so much to me, in this place have real people, and had culture, old cars, great families, i hope it never gonna totally die. Even though there are people who think like me, wanting to not leave the route on the map .
I was too young to drive on it when it was still an active highway, but progress occurs. I'm sure the trading posts along the horse drawn coach-wagon trails were upset when Route-66 came up. Things will always change, and will never remain the way they are... I've lived at least long enough to realize that. I'm sad that I never got to see Route-66 in its glory... one day I'll cruise it in my grandfather's awesome huge old car that I inherited.
I used to live in Conway TX when i was a little girl. My mom worked in the then-standing cafes along Route 66, and my dad worked at one of the grain elevators there (Conway Wheat Growers). I used to go behind the old abandoned school house and play on the playground equipment. Sweet memories.
@TheJoshuaPat
Yes, that is exactly what happened, which makes Route 66 a neat "time capsule" of American culture and history to explore. If you have the Cars DVD, the producer did a nice piece you can watch explaining their journey on the motherroad and how it influenced the story.
I applaud this reporter for his very true, if very blunt, words. Yes, travel time is reduced with interstates from Point A to B, but countless towns and countless gas station and cafe owners lost so much more than traffic when Route 66 died. We really lost our glimpse into the real America. Bud sadly, people have become more content with saving a few minutes than spending those minutes interacting and seeing.
its my mission in life to get an old car and drive as much of route 66 as physicly possible and take time to stop and see old buildings that have been forgotten in time. when you drive through places like that its like a window to the past and i want to look through it just once
The stretch between Kingman and Seligman is still a great drive. You can see old towns, curio shops, beautiful scenery and half a dozen sets of "new" Burma Shave signs!!
Sure there is a lot of nostalgia for the old buildings and restaurants along the historic 66. But the interstate highway system is an immense improvement over the old two lane highways that required you to slow down every 5 miles and crawl through small towns. You save so much time taking the limited access interstate expressways which are also much safer.
If you run old 66 west beyond Albuquerque near and/or in 1 of several Indian reservations be sure your car has a great set of shocks. 1 area of 66 I drove 10 years ago in New Mexico the ride was smoothest on the grass grade just beyond the pock-holed shoulder. The main stretch of pavement was so bad the fastest I could roll was 8 mph.
Great version!!!
I once heard an Atlanta pastor preach a sermon, " It's only temporary".Whether we like it or not, depends on how it affects us. One thing for sure, we as well as most things, are here temporarily. Make the best of it.
actually a lot of people still drive the road. i would know. and there is an association every year where we pick a town to have a massive car show. Also, other people have other events along them and millions of people come along. yes, you can still drive the old route. it just gets cut off at some parts from the interstate. also, it follows the interstate except when it goes through the towns.
The government and large corporations should invest and rebuild and restore Route 66.We could reduce unemployment by putting people back to work in Route 66 restoration.This would be the modern Works Progress Administration (WPA). The difference would be rather than having the Government pick up the tab, have the large corporations pay.Give them tax incentives
Your lucky to have those miles of roads, we have 150miles of traffic jams heading west to Wales and Gas at £6 a gallon!
@TheJoshuaPat
Response part 2...
Given the "abandoned" nature of Route 66, it's akin to going into old abandoned tunnels or railroads...but above ground. It takes a sense of adventure, an open mind, and a bit of "Indiana Jones" type interest in the past.
i love rt 66
Route 66 is still about 80% intact -- you just have to know where to look. One of the best drives is an intact Arizona section from Ash Fork to Oatman.
This is a well-done report, except for the fact that Route 66 was not the nation's first highway.
It's sad to see that we've traded trips through towns with character for generic interstates. Faster, yes ... necessary, yes ... but not a better experience.
The Official "de-comissioning" of Route 66 did occur with the official completion of Interstate 40 (I-40) at Williams, AZ...so this is correct, Mr. Cumming. (please listen to Route 66 NPR Radio Commentary here on TH-cam) best, L.
I'm confused. I40 goes through Williams. Never heard of it being bypassed unless it was before my time.
Makes sense, thank you
Wow! I don't know how this survived all these years. I still have the red 60 and drive it. Wonder where Charles and Jerry ended up?
continued...
there are many famous landmarks along the way that are restored and it is truly a wonder to back in history and see the wonders of america. there is more than 170 miles. it is actually more popular to foreigners.
@sweetkali3 Some things from the past is best to leave behind. But if the remaining parts of Route 66 were restored, think of the tourist attraction! Nostalgia sells. Not nearly well as sex, but it still sells.
they should revive it as way to bring in some dollars,it would be a real plus for the area.
Well said!!!
They said Mc Lean Tx was the last town to be bypassed. I thought it was Williams Arizona????
I love route 66
does anyone know if it is still possible to do all the route 66 from chicago to los angeles? i'm european and i'm very interested in doing all the route.
@jackdanveggie It's still around, just not identified on maps as U.S. 66 anymore. If you think you might want to travel it, buy the EZ66 Guide and/or check out websites like historic66-dot-com.
Don't forget there's the song route66
cool lightning at 5:51 and 8:20.
whatcha mean no ATM cards accepted?
living couple hundred yards from I-40 in North Carolina now.. A true east -west highway...
Blues getting the Blues...
why did they stop route 66 , it could be a fantastic tourist attraction if it opened the whole route and create jobs too
@TheJoshuaPat
You asked "What's so special about this road thing"
Well...your question is a basic one, and probably one many others wonder too (presuming you're serious). First, go do some homework reading about the history of cars, the history of highways, the history of Route 66 and American culture. Then go watch the Pixar movie "Cars". Then perhaps you might be able to answer your own question.
@thebig71 Good Luck!
well..
not sure. but next years is in alburqurque new mexico.
The interstate is dreadfully boring to drive on. I like stopping at the quirky shops and scenic drives, if I want to get somewhere fast, thats what planes are for.
I cruise Route 66,....... when I'm going to get gas, auto parts, church, McDonalds, taco bell, ...lol it's not to special of a thing for me. But I did go on a Route 66 drive through 3 states.
This makes me sad.
přesně, taky mě to docela překvapilo :)
Interstate Highways are waste like (Clean Engery if I want to see pretty windmills I'll visit Holland) but getting back to subject therefor interstates should be tore up from ground besides I think farmers could use extra land to plant their crops. Since they are being screw by U.S. Government as for Route 66 the highway needs to be reopen but first repaired.
You got two choices to head west.
A. By Plane
B. Taking Route 66
Search "Route 66 in 6 minutes"
Omg wtf good god ... Did u all see that gas price
WELL I WILL RECOMMISSSION 455 AND 66
At 7:48 I just want to PUNCH someone. There's truth in what he said but he sounds so callous about it.
7:45, no we do not have to accept that 66 is a thing of the past...that guy pisses me off!