We headed south from Kansas City to Springfield to pick up the old sections of route 66 westbound to Joplin. What I am learning is that you have to do some work to actually find those roads that used to be part of the old 66. Most of the old road signs are gone; but some regions have capitalized on the historic interest by posting markers along the way like the one you see here. Along the way, we saw vestiges of old gas stations, motels, and even an old Desoto dealer.
We stayed overnight in Joplin, which we learned was a large lead and zinc mining town. We toured a museum where the curator spent a lot of time showing us around and explaining the mining operations and other historic items about the area.
In the evening, we ate at Wilders, a noted steak restaurant, and then went to the Boomtown Days Festival. I saw this 1973 Plymouth Satellite at a classic car display. The owner said she bought it new in 1973. They were only produced for 2 years. I had a 1974 Satellite Sebring model, bright yellow with a 3/4 vinyl roof like this one. Jeanne and I bought it used in 1975 with money we received as wedding gifts. A nice memory.
We are heading to Oklahoma City today.
K: I got that same tour in Coalport at the library that has a mining museum. BTW I first thought that was the car you rented for the trip. Oh one important road trip tip: Don't ask for "coffee regular" unless you want a retort like, "Sir, all our coffee is regular." Dish on Oklahoma City tonight.
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Arcadia, Oklahoma - Home of the Round Barn
ReplyDelete...The brainchild of William Harrison Odor, locals scoffed at the idea of a round barn...the most photographed building on all of Route 66.. Odor soaked green lumber in water, then shaped the rafters to form the exact curve of the roof. When his masterpiece was complete, he utilized the lower level to store his hay and shelter cattle and mules, while the upper level was used for barn dances and social gatherings.
By the 1980's the barn had begun to suffer from years of neglect when it was donated to the Arcadia Historical and Preservation Society in an effort to save it. Before long a man named Luther Robinson, a retired building contractor from Oklahoma City, restored the barn with the help of a volunteer group known as the "Over-the-Hill-Gang.”
Garry had a 1972 Satellite Sebring when we started dating!
ReplyDeleteDonna -- I think 'coffee regular' is just a new yawk thing -- I have not used that phrase in 30 years :)
ReplyDeleteNancy--Sebring was a nice car -- I traded it in for a Pontiac Sunbird - what a fool!
N:It was about 30 years ago when I made the "unusual" request at a truck stop in TX!
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