Historic Jefferson Highway

It’s time for Fall Fun on the Historic Jefferson Highway! In this episode of Big Blend Radio’s “Historic Jefferson Highway” Show, we celebrate autumn travel along the “Pines to Palms Highway”, stretching from Winnipeg, Canada to New Orleans, Louisiana.

Featured guests share the unique charm, seasonal beauty, and vibrant community spirit that make the Jefferson Highway an unforgettable fall road trip experience:

- Beth Hilburn – Owner of the Hi-Way Café & Western Motel in Vinita, Oklahoma. 

- Aaron Perry & Cassandra Ringel – Owners of Gearhead Curios & Petrol Motor Quart in Galena, Kansas. Visit: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/gearhead-curios-and-petrol-motor-quart/# 

- Glenda Smith – Owatonna Chamber of Commerce & Tourism in Minnesota. Visit Owatonna: https://visitowatonna.org/ 

From local cafes and culinary events to vintage roadside attractions, community festivals, and fall landscapes, this conversation highlights how small towns along the Jefferson Highway bring together history, culture, and hospitality. The guests also share their stories of community engagement, historic preservation, and the creative ways they attract travelers looking for authentic, nostalgic road trip experiences.

🚗 The Jefferson Highway, known as the “Pines to Palms Highway,” stretches from Winnipeg, Canada to New Orleans, Louisiana, weaving through communities with deep historical roots and cultural pride.

🔗 Learn more: Jefferson Highway Association: https://jeffersonhighway.org/ 

🔗 Sign up for updates on Jefferson Highway maps, the travel directory, and the upcoming travel guide: https://jeffersonhighwaytravelguide.com/ 

📅 This podcast airs every 4th Thursday at 6pm CST (except holidays). Follow the show here: https://jefferson-highway.podbean.com/ 

On this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Way Back When" History Podcast, we explore the powerful story of the Amazon Army March of 1921 in Southeast Kansas. Thousands of women — armed not with weapons, but with pots, pans, and unshakable courage — marched to support miners demanding fair working conditions. This occurred on the historic Jefferson Highway.

Featured guests are:

- Linda Knoll – Board Trustee of Miners Hall Museum and one of the founders. She is the playwright of Army of Amazons, the catalyst for the "Solidarity" mural project (1999–2000). Linda’s work has been featured through the Humanities Kansas Speakers Bureau, honored with a Civil Rights Award by the NEA, and even nominated for an Emmy through PBS. More: https://www.amazonarmy.com/ 

Although this conversation premieres for Labor Day, the story of the Amazon Army is timeless — a reminder of how ordinary women made extraordinary contributions to justice, equality, and workers’ rights.

📖 Chapters / Timestamps

🎧 This episode is also featured on Big Blend Radio’s "Women Making History," "Jefferson Highway," and "Big Daily Blend" podcast channels: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork 

Celebrate the end of American Adventures Month with this episode of Big Blend Radio’s “Historic Jefferson Highway” Show, we travel to Greenville, Texas, a vibrant community located along the historic Jefferson Highway. Featured guests Stacy Foley (Tourism Manager) and Micah McBay (Community Engagement Director) from Greenville Tourism share what makes this destination a must-visit stop for travelers exploring the “Pines to Palms Highway” from Winnipeg to New Orleans.

Discover Greenville’s thriving arts and culture scene, including the historic Greenville Municipal Auditorium that has hosted world-famous performers, as well as community theater and live music venues. Foodies will love the city’s unique mom-and-pop restaurants, winery, and bustling farmers market, while travelers can stay in chic downtown lofts, cozy treehouses, trusted national brand hotels, and other family-friendly lodging options.

Outdoor lovers will find plenty of parks, trails, and recreational activities, and year-round festivals – like the Festival of the Arts – highlight the creativity and hospitality of the community. Greenville is also known for its budget-friendly travel options, with many free events and attractions that welcome visitors from near and far.

This conversation also highlights how the Jefferson Highway connects communities like Greenville, supporting local tourism, cultural heritage, and regional pride.

🔗 Plan Your Visit to Greenville, Texas: http://travelgreenvilletx.com/ 

🔗 Learn More about the Jefferson Highway Association: https://jeffersonhighway.org/ 

🔗 Explore the Upcoming Jefferson Highway Travel Guide: https://jeffersonhighwaytravelguide.com/ 

📅 Follow the “Historic Jefferson Highway” Podcast: https://jefferson-highway.podbean.com/ 

This episode of Big Blend Radio was recorded onsite with Pat Kelly, co-owner of the legendary Kelly’s Westport Inn in Kansas City, Missouri. A must-visit destination for both locals and travelers, Kelly’s is not only a cornerstone of Kansas City’s nightlife and culture, but also a historic treasure for those traveling the Jefferson Highway.

Founded on a legacy of hospitality, Kelly’s Westport Inn has been welcoming generations of guests with its warm, inclusive atmosphere. Pat shares stories of his father’s vision, the bar’s evolution over the years, and its deep connection to the local community. From hosting sports fans and local events to supporting Kansas City’s artists and musicians, Kelly’s has long served as a gathering place where history, art, and community come together.

This conversation also underscores the importance of preserving local history and art, connecting to earlier Big Blend Radio episodes with artist and historian Victoria Chick on Kansas City-connected artists Arthur Kraft and Thomas Hart Benton:

Learn more about Kelly’s Westport Inn at: https://kellyswestportinn.com/ 

This episode of Big Blend Radio's "Historic Jefferson Highway" Show highlights the vibrant and welcoming community of Bunkie, Louisiana, which has been recognized as the Jefferson Highway Community of 2025. The conversation showcases Bunkie’s deep historical roots, growing tourism efforts, and the pride residents take in their culture and heritage.

Featured Guests:

From railroad history and agricultural traditions to mouthwatering local cuisine (especially boudin!), the discussion celebrates what makes Bunkie such a unique and engaging stop along the Jefferson Highway. The episode also touches on community collaboration, future tourism plans, and the value of preserving cultural landmarks and stories. Learn more at https://travelavoyelles.com/ 

The Jefferson Highway Association originally founded the Jefferson Highway in 1915. This international highway—also known as "The Pines to the Palms Highway"—runs from Winnipeg, Canada to New Orleans, Louisiana. Learn more at https://jeffersonhighway.org/ 

The Big Blend Radio "Historic Jefferson Highway" Podcast airs every 4th Thursday (except on holidays). Follow the show at https://jefferson-highway.podbean.com/ 

This episode of Big Blend Radio’s “Historic Jefferson Highway” Show features Dr. Shane Rasmussen, Director of the Natchitoches-NSU Folk Festival and NSU’s Louisiana Folklife Center. Held in historic Natchitoches, Louisiana—a destination along the Jefferson Highway—the 45th Annual Natchitoches-NSU Folk Festival takes place Saturday, July 19, 2025, in air-conditioned Prather Coliseum.

Hear about Louisiana’s rich cultural traditions as showcased through music, crafts, food, and community engagement. The conversation also touches on the role of the Jefferson Highway in regional heritage, the healing power of the arts, and the importance of folk culture in education.

Festival Highlights:

More info: https://www.nsula.edu/folklife/folkfest/ 

This episode of Big Blend Radio's "Historic Jefferson Highway" Show features a lively recap of the 2025 Jefferson Highway Conference held in McAlester, Oklahoma. The event brought together historians, community leaders, and heritage travelers to celebrate the cultural and historical significance of the Jefferson Highway, and included a special pre-conference Sociability Caravan.

Featured Guests:

The Jefferson Highway Association originally founded the Jefferson Highway in 1915. This international highway—also known as "The Pines to the Palms Highway"—runs from Winnipeg, Canada to New Orleans, Louisiana. Learn more at https://jeffersonhighway.org/ 

The Big Blend Radio "Historic Jefferson Highway" Podcast airs every 4th Thursday (except on holidays). Follow the show at https://jefferson-highway.podbean.com/ 

In this episode of Big Blend Radio's JEFFERSON HIGHWAY Show, we chat with Jordan Boyd, Executive Director of the Dobson Museum and Home in Miami, Oklahoma — a must-visit destination located along both the historic Jefferson Highway and Route 66.

Discover how the Dobson Museum serves as a vibrant cultural hub, preserving the history of Ottawa County and honoring the vision of Nellie Dobson, who aimed to create a lasting memorial to her family and community. With original furnishings from the Dobson family, the museum provides an intimate glimpse into local heritage and daily life in early Oklahoma.

Jordan shares how the museum’s engaging youth programs like Dobson Discovery Days make history fun and interactive for children, and discusses the rotating exhibits that keep the community involved and informed. 

Whether you're a history buff, educator, traveler, or heritage tourism enthusiast, this episode offers meaningful insights into how local museums can shape future generations and foster pride in regional stories.

🎧 Listen now and plan your visit!

🔗 Dobson Museum and Home:

🔗 Learn more about the Jefferson Highway Association:

🎙️ Listen to the Historic Jefferson Highway Podcast:

Celebrate National Road Trip Day (May 23) with this special episode of Big Blend Radio’s Jefferson Highway Show. We’re hitting the road with Charlotte Knotek to explore the scenic and historic treasures of DeSoto Parish, located just south of Shreveport in northwest Louisiana.

From the natural beauty of Toledo Bend Lake to immersive Civil War battlefield reenactments, charming small-town Main Streets, and delicious Southern cuisine, DeSoto Parish offers the perfect blend of outdoor adventure, rich history, and down-home hospitality. Discover beautiful Greek Revival architecture, seasonal berry picking, historic cemeteries, unique shops, cozy bed & breakfasts, and more than 30 sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Whether you're a history buff, nature lover, or road trip enthusiast, this episode will inspire your next getaway along the Jefferson Highway.

🔗 Plan Your Adventure:

📅 Tune in every 4th Thursday at 6pm CST (except holidays) to the Historic Jefferson Highway Podcast: https://jefferson-highway.podbean.com 

Happy National Road Trip Day! 🎉 Join us for a special episode of Big Blend Radio’s Jefferson Highway Show, as we celebrate May 23rd with Aaron Perry and Cassandra Ringel, the passionate owners behind Gearhead Curios and the highly anticipated Petrol Motor Quart in Galena, Kansas.

Situated on both the historic Jefferson Highway and iconic Route 66, Gearhead Curios is more than just a souvenir shop – it's a vibrant visitor center and a perfect photo-op spot to create and share your road trip memories, housed in a charming 1939 Texaco station.

Get ready for Petrol Motor Quart, opening soon just two blocks north! This isn't your average lodging; it's a destination designed to transport you back in time. Imagine staying in themed cabins, each a loving tribute to the vintage gas stations that lined these legendary byways. With mid-century decor and architectural nods to different eras, Petrol Motor Quart promises a comfortable and captivating escape into the nostalgic charm of Americana.

Planning a weekend getaway or your next great American road trip? This episode will inspire you to explore the unique history and vibrant present of the Jefferson Highway.

🎧 Listen now and fuel your wanderlust:

📅 Don't miss the Historic Jefferson Highway Podcast, every 4th Thursday at 6 pm CST: https://jefferson-highway.podbean.com/