Photo Essay: You're Not From Around Here
You're not from around here, are you?
You seem a little new to traveling on Route 66. A bit like a fish out of water, maybe. That's alright. Everyone has to start somewhere. Besides, as you're driving along this wide highway, you'll learn your way around.
This photo visit to the gift shops and small-town museums along Route 66 will help with that. The locals, too, might be willing to share their tales of those foregone days when the Mother Road was like the Mighty Mississippi, a busy pathway for business and travel.
You'd be surprised how many stories—wild, fun, sad—there are just waiting to be heard along this iconic road.
photo by: David Kafer
A site in the ghost town of Goffs in southeastern California.
photo by: David Kafer
When Seligman began to decline after the construction of the interstate, resident Angel Delgadillo decided he would not watch his town disappear. In 1987, Delgadillo and fellow Route 66 Arizonans formed the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona, the first Mother Road preservation association ever formed.
photo by: David Kafer
Architect Mary Colter mixed elements of Southwest Native American and 16th-century Spanish architecture when building the historic Harvey House railroad depot in California.
photo by: David Kafer
Hackberry General Store in Arizona sits along the longest continuous stretch of Old Route 66 remaining today. Hidden in the middle of the desert, this gem, with a root beer bar and quirky historic gas pumps, is certainly worth a visit.
photo by: David Kafer
The California Route 66 Museum in Victorville, California, features exhibits of historic artifacts and photography that explores the cultural and economic impacts of Route 66.
photo by: David Kafer
Hoping for a funky photo-op? Arizona's Rusty Bolt has you covered. With around 20 wacky mannequins positioned along its exterior and a pink 1959 Edsel parked out front, this Route 66 souvenir shop and biker store is ready for all your road trip photos.
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photo by: David Kafer
The Threatt Filling Station was one of the few places along Route 66 where African American travelers were safe and welcomed. The historic property, sitting on 160 acres in Luther, Oklahoma, has remained in the Threatt family for over 100 years.
photo by: David Kafer
The McLean-Alanreed Historical Museum in Texas covers the town’s diverse local history. Exhibits cover everything from authentic pioneer costumes to the German POW camp that operated in the town during World War II.
photo by: David Kafer
Although largely known for its kitschy and oversized statues, the Pink Elephant Antique Mall in Illinois is also home to a retro-themed, 50s-style diner.
photo by: David Kafer
A concrete wigwam merged into a campy gift shop, the Tee Pee Curious in Tucumcari, New Mexico, perfectly reflects the whimsical nature of Route 66.
photo by: David Kafer
The billboards for Jack Rabbit Trading Post extend all the way from Missouri through Arizona. It was first opened in the 1940s and has been in operation ever since—Pixar’s Cars even included an homage to the site.
photo by: David Kafer
Named for its close proximity to Arizona's Barringer Crater, the Meteor City Trading Post sat abandoned in the blistering sun of the Arizona desert for almost five years. In 2017, new life was breathed into the site.
photo by: David Kafer
Owned by a local Santa Rosa family, the Route 66 Auto Museum in New Mexico is a must-see for any car fan. It has vintage vehicles dating from the 1930s through the 1960s.
photo by: David Kafer
The Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton, Oklahoma, provides travelers with an unforgettable and authentic Mother Road experience. Here, visitors can experience six decades of vehicles, photographs, and artifacts firsthand.
