Lost highways and Louis Chevrolet

[Hinckley]

I am deep into research for a new book that will profile some of the ghost towns of Route 66. Along the way I have found a few interesting detours and more than enough mysteries for another book.
ROUTE 66 CHRONICLES: Search results for fig springs Here is a photo of the remnants of Fig Springs station on my blog. In the 1947 "A Guide Biook to Highway 66", Jack Rittenhouse noted this station, west of Kingman, was abandoned.
These photos are also from my blog. It pertains to an interesting section of road discovered in a canyon below the pre 1953 alignment of Route 66. ROUTE 66 CHRONICLES: ROUTE 66, LOUIS CHEVROLET, AND LOST HIGHWAYS
All indications found to date are that the alignment of Route 66 here in the Black Mountains was also the National Old Trails Highway before 1926. There were no deviations and that is the mystery.
This road connects with Route 66 at the top of the canyon and at the bottom in the old mining town of Gold Road. The indications are that this road was more than a mere trail.
It is wide, hugs the canyon wall on a blasted shelf, and features a well built bridge with stone piers and heavy, railroad type timbers. There are also remnants of post and cable guard rails.
What makes this even more interesting is the fact that the National Old Trails Highway through the Black Mountains was the route for the 1914 Desert Classic "Cactus Derby" race. This race featured a number of famous drivers including Louis Chevrolet and Barney Oldfield.

[Dandy Dave]

Oh, take me back to a day of road side garages, and stops where the julk box was 3 plays for a dime. To the art deco designed motel that decorated the Great American Roadside. A cup of cofee for a dime, and gas was ten for a dollar. I've been searching for a place like that for many years, but I have never came upon it.

Seems to me that It all changed after Ike..... So they say. Dandy Dave!

[The Green Dragon]

Dandy Dave,
You need to see the movie cars and my favorite town,"Radiator Springs" about old 66.
The good old days, I remember driving old 66 in Illinois before they had a state speed limit. When you left town the sign said "resume speed, resonable and proper". On a clear day with no traffic it was pedal to the metal. I was driving a '53 Jag. roadster on my way to Springfield and passed a Ill. State Trooper, I was doing well over 100mph but it was legal. Those were the days, today people can't control their cars at 50 mph.
RHL

[poci1957]

Should be very interesting, keep posting on that for us please.

Here in central IL the state has marked various alignments of the route with their years in service and there are still much of the old roads left. Some are not aware that by the 1960s the route was four lane through most of Illinois and some of that remains too. The old cafes and gas stations are more rare all the time, but some remain and there is a grassroots tourism movement. Hope you come see! Todd C

[75RivGS]

Thanks for the link to the blog, Jim... Lots of good info and other links there... Very welcome here for we will travel the Mother Road next month (in a classic (68 Wildcat) Buick)

[Marty Roth]

75RIVGS,

When you travel the Mother Road next month, take a short side-trip to Toas, New Mexico during August 8 - 12 to the Sagebrush Inn or Comfort Inn - The VMCCA will be hosting the Chrome Glidden Tour there! Stop by and say HI !

[bofusmosby]

If there are a number of sites still waiting to be found, airial photos with a "thermal imaging" camera will cause them to stick out like a sore thumb.

Just an idea

[75RivGS]

Marty,
thanks for the recommendation... although it is hard to plan travelling the 66 day by day (will hit the 66 from Staunton, IL) I might be in Taos, NM area the second half of that week. Also the National Parks / Forests there, could be another reason to travel that area.
Taos is now definately on my "to do" list.
Thanks

[Hinckley]

The side trip to Taos isn't that far from Route 66. The pre 1937 alignment looped from Albuquerque through Santa Fe and down to Santa Rosa.

[1948Lincoln]

Well, my grandparents traveled along that road in 1946 and up and my other grandparents, during the 1950's. And it was miserable! (according to them). Between the hot weather, crappy and sometimes expensive hotels, bad and sometimes deadly food, and lack of any type of civilization, I think that we glorify things years later, though they were not that great at the time. I will however take the lack of traffic any day!

[Hinckley]

I am old enough to remember what a nightmare travel on Route 66 could be and mention this often when speaking on the topic. As a result these are the best of times in the sense you can drive Route 66 and enjoy it but with options.
It is sort of like our old cars. We can drive them and enjoy them but have the option of taking the other car, the one with ac, cruise, etc.
We made our first trip west on 66 in 1959. After moving to Arizona in 1966 we drove it every year to visit family in Michigan.
For reasons unknown, this old highway has been the thread that links my life. I learned to drive on a bypassed section of the old road. When my wife and I were courting, I drove Route 66 into Kingman from the ranch. My office faces Route 66 and is housed in part of an old truck stop. Church is a forty five mile drive on Route 66.

[Marty Roth]

75RivGS,

Hope to see you in Taos,

The VMCCA will be headquartered at the Sagebrush Inn and the Comfort Suites 1500 Paseo Del Pueblo Sur, Taos, NM, US 87571 (575) 751-1555.

For anyone interested in Touring, our sister club, the VMCCA bills itself as "THE TOURING CLUB". The Veteran Motor Car Club of America (the cars are the veterans) hosts tour for all vintages of cars, pretty much all through the year, and offers us an additional venue of touring in addition to the many AACA activities. Car judging is done only on tour. A fun group.

You can learn more about the club, and even register for the club, and sign up for tour at:

Veteran Motor Car Club of America

See Y'all down the road,