February 18, 1987. In the grand scheme of things that date isn't as momentous as June 6, 1944 or July 4, 1776. Still, on that cold February day a group of passionate and frustrated visionaries met at the Copper Cart restaurant in Seligman, Arizona. I don't think that...
Travel Tips
Casting A Long Shadow
The towering old stone hotel has been casting a long shadow in the historic heart of Kingman, Arizona since 1909. It is a tangible link to Arizona territorial history, a nearly forgotten chapter in Ford family history, and even with famous Hollywood celebrities. John...
Bob Waldmire, Route 66, and A Desert Crossroads
The holiday weekend has been dominated by thoughts about Bob Waldmire, Route 66 and life in a desert crossroads. This deep thinking was sparked by a host that posed questions about Bob Waldmire's association with Kingman. And then she expressed surprise that given...
A Memorial Day To Remember
Plans for landscaping of the grounds at the new Mohave County Courthouse were delayed due to WWI. But by the mid-1920s retaining walls had been completed and trees planted. Then in 1928 a monument with plaque that read, “IN MEMORY OF THE MEN AND WOMEN OF MOHAVE COUNTY...
Another Time Capsule
The Old Trails Garage dates to 1915. It was built by J.W. Thompson for M.G. Wagner who had operated the original Old Trails Garage on South Front Street, now Topeka Street. At the time this was the course followed by the National Old Trails Road. This is one of the...
The VIP Treatment
The 19th century courthouse in Pontiac, Illinois is an architectural gem. Casting long shadows across the square is a towering monument to honor Civil War veterans of Livingston County. Mayor Rathbun and President Theodore Roosevelt officiated at the dedication...
A Few Route 66 Surprises
What do you call a town that is linked to Route 66 because it was named in a song that reminded us to not forget Winona, because it has an original Bob Waldmire mural, and because it was the primary location for the 1984 movie Roadhouse 66 starring Willem Dafoe and...