Route 66 Podcast

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 system for collecting and cataloging Route 66 matchcovers

  • Motels and lodgings

  • Cafes and restaurants

  • Gas stations

  • Trading Posts 

 

 

• Full length matchcovers designs

• Background knowledge needed for collecting matchcovers

• Ebay scammers selling matchcovers

• Current demand for matchbooks

• Rear striker versus front striker matchbooks design changes (1973)

• Back striker safety versus rear striker

• Discovering unknown Route 66 history through match cover collecting

• The ultimate Route 66 matchcover that Phil has spent 20+ years searching for

  • Scherer's (estimated value $50)

 

• The holy grail of matccovers outside of Route 66: Charles Lindbergh (estimated value several thousand)

 

 

• The very first advertising: hand written matcbook covers

• First commercial matchbook ever printed

• Initial interest in posting matchovers online: Whiting brothers 

 

 

• Sharing matchcovers online with the whole world

• Step by step process for uploading matchcovers 

• Popularity of matchbooks today with the decline of smoking

• National organization of matchcover collectors

The Route 66 Matchcover Collector - Search wide variety of Route 66 establishments for matchcovers

 

Phil’s Route 66 Website:  Personal website containing both postcards and matchcovers

 

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 

• History of the American cowboy 

• What problem does barbed wire solve? 

• Origin of Devil’s Rope name for barbed wire 

• Barbed Wire- Rancher or Farmer’s best friend? 

• The most popular wire all visitors must see! 

• Barbed Wire: Tools, Medicine, Books, Art, Poetry, Wartime 

• Barbed Wire in song

• Modern versions of Barbed Wire 

• Delbert’s initial interest in Barbed Wire 

• Books published by Delbert on Ranching, Barbed Wire, and other interests  

• Devil’s Rope Museum featuring Route 66 memorabilia 

• Visiting Devil’s Rope Museum 

• Other Route 66 attractions in McLean, TX 

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 Munger Moss sign
• Constant flow of picture takers along Route 66
• Most popular Munger Moss items for sale in the lobby
• Bob Lehman’s prized toy collection
• The biggest challenge in 50 years at The Munger Moss
• The very first in-ground pool in Lebanon, Missouri arrives at The Munger Moss
• Ramona’s last vacation
• Preserving Route 66 for future generations
• Is Ramona as famous locally as she is with Route 66 travelers?
• Ramona’s Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren visiting at The Munger Moss
• Sales pitch for The Munger Moss 2021
• Next item on Ramona’s Bucket list
• A Ramona Lehman Revelation: Where hasn’t she been along Route 66?  (The answer WILL surprise you!)
• Long Live Route 66

 

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 Advertising) agrees to support a Route 66 interest with just one condition

• IECA established to preserve the station

• How Anthony Gonzales became interested

• Unexpected surprises upon turning the key to an abandoned gas station

• Service station artifacts and future plans

• Impressive awards as a result of the restoration progress

• Annual Car Show

• Other area attractions along Route 66

 

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
• Notorious inmates at Joliet through the years
• 1 year sentence at Joliet for stealing the body of President Lincoln
• Prison tourism
• Attempted escapes at Joliet
• The most unusual inmate who tried to break into Joliet
• Turning the ruins of Joliet into art
• The Blues Brothers at Joliet
• Female inmates

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 instead of traveling from Chicago to Santa Monica
• The challenging letters along Route 66: Q, X, and Z
• Are there any stops in the book that would be new for the typical Route 66 fan?
• Settling on a cover image for ABC Book
• Sequence of book drafts before being finalized for printing
• The book publishing process
• When Annette and Joyce met for the very first time
• Promotional game plan for ABC Book
• Book publishing challenges and rewards
• Annette's family connection to Tulsa Mayor
• Visiting Route 66 Visitors Museum & Gift Shop in Pontiac
•  

 

Website: authorannettemurray.com

 

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 Jannsen (U-Drop Inn Ambassador)

• What has made Hazel so popular with Route 66 travelers?
• Earliest memory of Route 66
• Origin of Huggin’ Hazel nickname
• Professional career – reflecting back
• U-Drop Inn hires Hazel as an ambassador
• What is so special about U-Drop Inn?
• Shamrock Information Center at the U-Drop Inn
• A typical day at the U-Drop Inn for Hazel
• What’s next on Hazel’s bucket list?

Newspaper Account: U-Drop Inn to Offer Public Finest in Foods and 24 hour Service

 

Baldo de Leon (U-Drop Inn café entrepreneur)

• Moving to Shamrock as a child and parents opening a local restaurant
• Full circle moment: Parents passed on U-Drop Inn Café opportunity 25 years earlier
• Early history of Café and Elvis association
  • Newspaper Account: That’s an Awful lot of Coffee, Mr. Nunn
• Café Inventory upon arrival
• First walk through behind the counter and kitchen area
• Updating the café menu
• The infamous Elvis Booth and San Dollar Motel on ‘66
• Earliest conversations about revitalizing the café and ideas
• Opening Day memories
• Most popular item on the menu
• You don’t know what you don’t know in operation the café
• Understanding the Route 66 community

 

Thank you to Route 66 Podcast & Scholarship supporters!

• MidPoint Cafe, Adrian, TX – Featuring both their Ugly Crust Pie and one of the most popular photo ops along Route 66, located exactly halfway between Chicago and Santa Monica in Adrian, Texas.
• Gilligan’s Route 66 Tours featuring tours of Route 66 in Ford Mustang convertibles, stays at historic Route 66 motels, and daily breakfast.
• Jack Rabbit Trading Post, Joseph City, AZ – Probably one of the most iconic curio shops along Route 66, the famous Here It Is billboard and fiberglass jackrabbit in front of the store is reason enough to stop…. and say hello to Cindy and Antonio.

• Jeff Buschell, Illinois
• Reed Coles – Nebraska
• Jim Crabtree – California
• Route 66 author and photographer – Shellee Graham and also my guest on   Episode # 10 where she talks about her book, Tales from the Coral Court Motel.
• Kristin Haakenson – Washington  
• Rich Havlik – Minnesota
• Mary Nicholson – Pennsylvania
• Brian Sawyer – Indiana
• Evan Stern – New York

United Kingdom

• Charli Beeton

The Netherlands

• Jim Rensen

Please consider supporting both The Route 66 Podcast and Scholarship Program through Patreon.  

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 Native Arts Alliance in Catoosa.  Deanna submitted an original song, Remember, and was able to connect her Cherokee heritage in music and words with the verse below:   My native blood calls out to me Don't forget your history I listen to the beckoning And follow where she takes me REMEMBER   Other submissions include original and digital artwork, a radio broadcast featuring an interview with Bob "Crocodile" LIle, and an introduction of Missouri Route 66 using American Sign Language (ASL).  The scholarship program began in 2020 and this past year was extended to include an award at the college level.  While the submissions were very diverse, it is my hope that even more students will submit an entry for the 2022 - 2023 academic year once the program opens up.   The overall goal of the scholarship program is to promote the spirit of Route 66 with a younger generation of students who were born long after the highway was decommissioned.  I want to thank everyone who helped promote the scholarship program, including many of the local school districts and colleges along the route.       PATREON SUPPORTERS As always, thank you to my Patreon supporters who are the ones providing support for the scholarship program.  Patreon supporters for The Route 66 Podcast include:

• MidPoint Cafe Adrian, TX – Featuring both their Ugly Crust Pie and one of the most popular photo ops along Route 66, located exactly halfway between Chicago and Santa Monica in Adrian, Texas.
• Gilligan’s Route 66 Tours featuring tours of Route 66 in Ford Mustang convertibles, stays at historic Route 66 motels, and daily breakfast.
• Jack Rabbit Trading Post Joseph City, AZ – Probably one of the most iconic curio shops along Route 66, the famous Here It Is billboard and fiberglass jackrabbit in front of the store is reason enough to stop…. and say hello to Cindy and Antonio.

• Jeff Buechel - Illinois 
• Reed Cole - Nebraska 
• Jim Crabtree – California 
• Route 66 author and photographer – Shellee Graham and also my guest on Episode # 10 where she talks about her book, Tales from the Coral Court Motel. 
• Kristin Haakenson – Washington 
• Rich Havlik – Minnesota 
• Maureen Holt - Arizona
• Mary Nicholson – Pennsylvania 
• Evan Stern - New York 

United Kingdom

• Charli Beeton 

The Netherlands

• Jim Rensen 

Please consider supporting both The Route 66 Podcast and Scholarship Program through Patreon.  Patreon members at the Will Rogers level received a 2022 Route 66 wall calendar.  

There are a few documentaries featuring Route 66, and two of the most popular ones were produced by Katrina Parks.  Parks produced The Harvey Girls: Opportunity Bound in 2014 and her latest release features Route 66: The Untold Story of Women on The Mother Road.

Join Anthony Arno as he talks with Parks about her career as a documentary filmmaker, from her first project as a college student to her upcoming projects.

• Developing an interest in storytelling

• How a college assignment led Katrina into filming her first documentary, Wrappings

• Wrappings wins an award through the United Nations

• Documentary vs. typical Hollywood movies

• Early work with History Channel

• A Summer in Vietnam

• Importance of Research

• Use of actors in documentaries

• Past and Future Podcasting Projects

• Route 66 Documentaries: Fred Harvey & Women of The Mother Road

• Behind the scenes in preparing a documentary

• The "Katrina Parks" rule in producing documentaries

• Recollecting Katrina's first exposure to Route 66

• What comes first: Website or Documentary?

• Women of The Mother Road themes:

 

1. Archeology & Anthropology

2. Boosters & Travelers

3. Creatives

4. Entrepreneurs

5. Family & Business

6. Politicians

7. Waitresses & School Teachers

8. Wartime

 

Website: Route 66 Women

Website: Route 66 Women Facebook Page

Thank you to Route 66 Podcast & Scholarship supporters!

• MidPoint Cafe, Adrian, TX - Featuring both their Ugly Crust Pie and one of the most popular photo ops along Route 66, located exactly halfway between Chicago and Santa Monica in Adrian, Texas.
• Gilligan's Route 66 Tours featuring tours of Route 66 in Ford Mustang convertibles, stays at historic Route 66 motels, and daily breakfast.
• Jack Rabbit Trading Post, Joseph City, AZ - Probably one of the most iconic curio shops along Route 66, the famous Here It Is billboard and fiberglass jackrabbit in front of the store is reason enough to stop.... and say hello to Cindy and Antonio.

• Jeff Buschell, Illinois
• Jim Crabtree - California
• Route 66 author and photographer - Shellee Graham and also my guest on   Episode # 10 where she talks about her book, Tales from the Coral Court Motel.
• Kristin Haakenson - Washington  
• Rich Havlik - Minnesota
• Mary Nicholson - Pennsylvania
• Brian Sawyer - Indiana
• Evan Stern - New York

United Kingdom

• Charli Beeton

The Netherlands

• Jim Rensen

Please consider supporting both The Route 66 Podcast and Scholarship Program through Patreon.