Table of Contents
Thomas Bros. Maps Printing Route 66!
Second Annual Dinner Is a First Rate Event
Some Excerpts From Wallis' Speech
A Little About Michael Wallis
Standby No. 3!! (McDonalds Stand in Downey)
Nuggets From Needles, by Maggie McShan
Book Reviews by Dan Harlow
Corvettes Kick Off New NBC Route 66
We Hear From the City of Los Angeles
Historic Home on Route 66 Has A Future
The Brite Spot Cafe
THOMAS BROS. MAPS PRINTING ROUTE 66!
The respected and favored Thomas Guide Books of Irvine, CA, have requested our help so
they can correctly include California’s Route 66 in their next editions.
It was a last minute idea —their deadlines were approaching — when they
called and sought our help. Advised our maps in our Guide to Historic Route 66 in
California would answer every question they could possibly have, they wanted it as
quick as they could get it. So they sent their courier with instructions to "come
right straight back with it!"
Pleased with what they got, they rushed the information to their cartographers to do
their thing: include how to find old Route 66 in California. It will appear in any
edition, that covers that part of our state, including their California Road Atlas
& Driver’s Guide which covers the entire state.
So check it out, folks —evidentally the popular Thomas Guide Books will be
the first, before even the AAA, to publish Historic Route 66 in California. Great news!
SECOND ANNUAL DINNER IS A FIRST RATE EVENT
The chance to glimpse a bit of Route 66 and meet one of the highways’ best known
spokespersons drew a crowd to Griswold’s Claremont Center on March 27. They came from
as far away as Michigan and Indiana to gather on America’s Main Street.
The occasion was the second annual dinner for the California Historic Route 66
Association and the special appearance of author Michael Wallis.
Wallis is the author of the acclaimed book, Route 66: The Mother Road and the
recent Pretty Boy: The Life and Times of Charles Arthur Floyd. He signed copies of
both as a feature of the afternoon fair which opened this year’s event.
Association members, friends and visitors arrived early and quickly filled the
exhibition room. On exhibit were items collected by the Association as well as information
about its activities. Business members presented their goods and services. Members
displayed some private collections and the California Department of Transportation
(Caltrans) provided a photo display.
Center to the overall exhibit was the Route 66 Anniversary Shield displayed for the
first time since the November 11th celebration on the Santa Monica pier.
Accompanying the shield was a collage of Route 66 memorabilia collected during the relay
as well as the participation parchment bearing the names of those who had joined in the
event. Many people could be seen pointing to their own signatures as it was said that this
evening was close to a "Shield Relay Reunion". Whether a relay participant or
not, many enjoyed the display as a symbolic trip down Route 66.
A trip down memory lane was provided by the historic photos displayed by Caltrans and
music of a classic jukebox from Jukeboxes Etcetera of Glendora. Signs of times gone by
were also evident in the private collection of Danny Castro which included an actual city
sign for Essex, population 150.
Present day Route 66 California could be viewed with the turning of the pages of the
Association photo album and the Guide to Historic Route 66 in California. Board
member and author Dan Mahnke offered a national view with his Bicycle Guide to Route 66
and display of photographs while Geoff Willis took folks on a musical tour with his
recording of a new song titled Old 66.
Collectors and souvenir searchers were treated to everything from the neon art of Ric
Rice to the variety of creative products from Route 66 Clothing & Goods. Rare or
unusual items were among the many raffle prizes and auction donations. A six pack of Coors
Route 66 beer, special edition buckles from Buckles By Mike, and a telephone in the shape
of a pickup truck from General Telephone were some of the things which caught the
attention of those who hoped luck was on their side.
Activities shifted to the dining room where Wallis was scheduled to address the
gathering as part of the official dinner program. The guests found their tables decorated
by miniature round centerpieces with a little toy car on a white sand Route 66, edged by
sod grass with tiny greenery and buildings depicting Chicago at one end and Santa Monica
pier at the other. The delightful centerpieces were made by member Eva Walton.
Master of ceremonies Myra Hoven greeted the group and with the help of Dave Settle and
Dave Schelkle began the drawings for raffle prizes. Drawings were made throughout the
evening as everyone enjoyed a splendid meal.
Dan Harlow, concluding his term as president of the Association, spoke of the
challenges and the accomplishments that 1992 had brought to Route 66. Noting that the
Association published the California Guide, posted signs on the road and helped
save a bridge in Kansas, Harlow concluded with a call for support for the new challenges
of 1993. Following his address, Harlow introduced the board members and officers who would
carry the banner into the new year.
JoAnne Willis presented the first of two annual awards. The Merit Achievement award was
accepted by Vivian Davies for her significant contributions to the Association and Route
66. Davies is a founding member and current secreatry whose numerous contributions include
the co-authoring of the Guide to Historic Route 66 in California.
The Trustees Award was presented to Michael Wallis by Sara Selene Faulds who recounted
earlier visits with Wallis and his never dying enthusiasm for Route 66 and its supporters.
The Trustees Award honors the lasting contributions to Route 66 and was given to Wallis
for his book, Route 66: The Mother Road and his continued activities on behalf of
the highway and the organizations working for its preservation and promotion.
An unscheduled and unofficial presentation was made to Dan Harlow for his work during
the previous year on behalf of the Association. The plaque included a photo of the
Anniversary Shield Relay which he helped lead.
A warm applause greeted Wallis as he stepped forward to deliver the keynote address.
With his strong presence and powerful voice, he intrigued and entertained with tales of
the research for Pretty Boy and his back-country meetings with Floyd’s
contemporaries. He continued with impressions of Route 66 from childhood and concluded
with a reading from a "Christmas letter" describing a recent stop on Route 66.
The evening ended with the auction of Route 66 collectibles which drew lively bids for
the benefit of the Association.
Newly elected president Geoffrey Willis made the closing remarks and reminded everyone
that the real success of the Association and the future of Route 66 depended on their
active participation.
The crowd slowly dispersed as many lingered to thank Wallis, ask some questions, or
tell yet another Route 66 story.
SOME EXCERPTS FROM WALLIS’ SPEECH
"Route 66 was one of Pretty Boy’s favorite highways. Although he seldom drove
the speed limit.
"Route 66 is America before it became generic. If you want the predictable, stay
on the interstate. But if you have a little bit of adventure in your soul….
"What else is it about? It’s about being commercial. It’s about people
turning a buck. People selling a plate lunch, a tank full of gas, a peek at the snake pit,
and … even a book.
"It was on Route 66 that I ate my first enchillada and a lot of us did our first
courting. When you travel on Route 66, you travel back in time.
"The beauty of it all is that now we have this alternative and anyone can take it.
Mr. and Mrs. America can get on Route 66 and get a real meal, or have their gas pumped by
a real person who talks to you and asks where you’re from and when you go to pay, you
don’t have to go to a bullet-proof booth and give your money to some
adolescent."
A LITTLE ABOUT MICHAEL WALLIS
Michael Wallis was born in 1945 in Missouri and has lived in seven of the eight Route
66 states, missing only Kansas. He has been a writer since 1968 and as an award-winning
reporter and author, his work has been published in more than 100 national and
international magazines and newspapers.
From 1973 to 1978, Wallis worked as a reporter, editor and bureau chief for a chain of
daily newspapers in Texas. During this time, he opened the first daily news bureau in a
10-county region. Later Wallis became capitol bureau chief in Austin. In 1981, he was
selected as the number one feature writer by the Florida Magazine Association.
Wallis is author of Oil Man, The Story of Frank Phillips and the Birth of Phillips
Petroleum; Route 66: The Mother Road; and Pretty Boy: The Life and Times of
Charles Arthur Floyd.
Currently, Wallis is collaborating with Wilma Mankiller, principal chief of the
Cherokee Nation, on a book, due out in November, about her life and the story of the
Cherokee people. In August, he and his wife, Suzanne Fitzgerald Wallis, will publish
through St. Martin’s Press, a book of 30 vintage Route 66 postcards.
Wallis continues his activities and contributions to the preservation and promotion of
Route 66 and is a board member of the newly opened Route 66 Museum in Clinton, Oklahoma.
He and his wife make their home in the Route 66 town of Tulsa, Oklahoma.
STAND BY NO. 3!!
In the March/April 1992 issue of Roadsigns, was an article about the history of
the McDonald’s hamburger chain which started in southern California. Pictured in the
article was an abandoned and deteriorated ’54 McDonald’s stand, still there on
historic Route 66 in Azusa. It is stand #8 of over 14,000, but oddly enough the 50s
vintage golden arches of which there wee about 1,000 — the company’s prototype
until 1968 — have dwindled to only one still serving hamburgers. It is stand #3, in
the city of Downey, California at Lakewood and Florence Ave. Its features include the
arches across the slope-roofed stand, slanted glass front on shiny tile base and rows of
neon across the top. There is no indoor seating. The tall golden arch sign on the corner
of the lot has the winking chef, Speedee, ‘way up high.
While this one is not on Route 66, board members David Schelkle and JoAnne Willis could
not resist representing the association at Downey’s April 27th City
Council meeting. Schelkle presented a support letter by president Geoffrey Willis, trying
to raise the consciences of both corporate McDonald’s and property owner Pep Boys
regarding the major historical significance of this landmark.
McDonald’s has wanted to replace it for years even though sit-in facilities are
available at a McDonald’s only a few blocks away and Pep Boys refused to allow it to
be a historic landmark.
The L.A. Conservancy, a building preservation group, was also represented at the Downey
meeting. They gave us petition forms and three addresses to follow up on. Downey Council
woman Joyce Lawrence collected forms and letters of people who gave their immediate
support by buying over 18,000 units of food from the 1950s stand.
NUGGETTS FROM NEEDLES by MaggieMcShan
Travel through Needles along our road, Historic Route 66, accelerates with summer and
we have several businesses here that extend these visitors a warm welcome. Most of the
places are historic, even harkening back to olden times of camp grounds and cabin courts.
A few are new, and some are the same, but with new names.
Among the latter is what was "Palms Motel" since time immemorial, now back
with a new life style, and renamed "Old Trails Inn". Hank and Edna Wilde along
with their kids and families, have been working these past months converting the place to
a "Bed and Breakfast". At 304 Broadway, it’s across the street from the
historic old Borax wagon, a town landmark.
Hank and Edna have prowled antique stores, estate sales and found furnishings of the
1930s era and flavor. These items have been coupled with wallpaper, draperies and accents
for a most charming effect. The place is now open for business under the new theme.
Another "oldie" back with a new title is "66 Burger Hut" at the
corner of D and Broadway. It is still operated drive-in style. Sorry, no
"car-hops". Customers park and order their drinks and goodies through a window.
They can then enjoy their smoothies, tacos, and a wide variety of finger foods while
sitting on benches at picnic tables in the shade, meanwhile tossing crumbs to the flock of
glossy black grackle birds that hang around. The place is now under the
ownership/management of the Bradshaw family.
Just across the street is Overland Restaurant, specializing in good Chinese food, but
serving an all-around menu as well. Recently purchased, it’s now operated by the Hui
family. Breakfast specials and also excellent for lunch and dinner. This restaurant has
been there a good while, and patronage includes regulars who meet there early each morning
to have coffee and "chew the fat". Want to know what is going on? Drop in at the
Overland about 6:00 a.m.
Moving over to Front Street which was earliest Route 66 through here, there’s an
exciting new/old café, back in business with the identity of "Chic’s
Café". Snappily redecorated with accents of blue, this place is attracting
"train watchers" as well as Route 66 travelers. These interesting visitors from
all over the country and foreign lands enjoy creole dishes such as file gumbo, along with
American. They also enjoy chatting with Henri and Marilyn, who cheerfully explain the
difference between "creole" and "cajun". They claim creole ancestry,
and came indirectly from New Orleans. The new owners keep a guest book.
Next door, 815 Front St., is Janetta’s Ceramics, where handcrafted Route 66 mugs
and other memorabilia can be purchased. This is one of Needles’ very oldest business
buildings, which Jack and Janetta Lawrence are gradually restoring.
Around the corner and across from El Garces — the Harvey House — is Needles
Museum, occupying half of the old J C Penney Building. It is open 10-2 every day except
Sunday. The Museum welcomes visitors and donations. A gift shop section helps to pay the
bills. Offered are Route 66 items along with books and other gift selections.
A few steps away, on the corner where G merges with Front St, and where Route 66
traffic used to come off Broadway back onto Front is Chai’s Café, which serves
Chinese and American dishes and provides a friendly atmosphere. This, also, is a very
historic building having housed Chinese resturants for many years, but long ago, was a
store called Mojave Emporium.
Kitty-cornered across the street from Chai’s is the small Chamber of Commerce
building, where Sandy Martinez welcomes visitors, dispenses brochures and friendly smiles.
Out on west Broadway, now called Needles Highway is Hungry Bear Restaurant, which has
been a dinner house, café and cocktail lounge for lo these many years, and under several
different names. "The Bear" is a Route 66 meeting place, operated by Bob and
Paula Dressel. They have decorated their dining room in attractive Route 66 theme,
immensely enjoyed by our Route 66 bus tourists as well as individual travelers.
There’s a wide choice of motels right on the Mother Road, but I ran out of space.
Next time! Do plan to stop over in Needles, Gateway to the Golden State!
BOOK REVIEWS by Dan Harlow, past president, California Historic Route 66
Association
Route 66: The Mother Road; Michael Wallis, 1990; St. Martin’s Press;
Softbound; $18.95 It has been said that this book is the one work that had done the most
to bring people to Route 66, and in that it is hard to find a true highway enthusiast that
does not already own a copy, this assertion is difficult to dispute.
Of all the books currently in print that deal with Route 66, this is by far the most
appealing. Its appeal is due in part to the slightly enlarged format and marvelous design
that incorporates full color photos and representations of vintage 66 memorabilia. But, if
that were its only virtue, it would be little more than the numerous "coffee
table" volumes which end up on the sale table at most book stores.
Route 66: The Mother Road is much more than a colorful curiosity. It is as close
to traveling the road as you can get with ink and paper. With an eye for detail and an
easy style full of humor, Wallis introduces the reader to the people and places of Route
66. The real Route 66 can be found in the people, and Wallis embraces this concept with
poignant portraits and insightful interviews.
The historic perspective is brought to light in the lives of Cyrus Avery, the father of
Route 66, and Jack Cutberth, "Mr. Route 66". The lasting nature of the highway
comes out in the personal accounts of "old timers" such as Bob Audette who
remain the caretakers of the young roadies such as Jeff and Laura Meyer who intend to
carry on.
From cover to cover, from Chicago to Santa Monica, Route 66: The Mother Road is
a trip worth taking.
Pretty Boy: The Life and Times of Charles Arthur Floyd; Michael Wallis, 1992; St.
Martin’s Press; hardcover $24.95
Michael Wallis has created in this first biography of the legendary bandit Pretty Boy
Floyd a compelling take of desperate crimes in desperate times.
Through interviews with Floyd family members, law officers, and even those who
collaborated with the notorious bank robber, he carefully reconstructs Floyd’s life
from country childhood to hunted criminal.
Wallis paints this portrait within the larger canvas of the hard labor of tenant
farmers and the thirties as sure and deadly as a bullet from Pretty Boy’s gun. With a
seamless style, Wallis brings to life an Oklahoma full of dust and a young man full of
troubles. Not since Steinbeck’s Grapes of Wrath has such a story of hard times
been so easy to read.
CORVETTES KICK OFF NEW NBC ROUTE 66
Thursday morning, June 3rd was a festive occasion on the Santa Monica pier.
Scores of gleaming Corvettes representing virtually every model filled the pier for the
Corvette rally. The event was organized to celebrate the new generation Route 66 TV series
and the 40th anniversary of the Corvette.
Dan Cortese and James Wilder, the stars of the new show shared emcee duties with humor
and vitality. They presented Santa Monica Mayor Judy Abdo a bronze plaque on behalf of NBC
and Columbia Pictures Television saluting the city for its participation in "Route 66
Day" and its historic position near the end of the famous highway. Mayor Abdo stated
that she hope to mount the plaque on the pier.
Author Michael Wallis, Route 66: The Mother Road, came to the stage and gave an
enthusiastic endorsement of the show and of course, the road itself. Flanked by Cortese
and Wilder, he was presented with travel supplies of sunblock, a hat, a disposable camera,
a thermos bottle, T-shirt, Sony Walkman and the keys to a metalic cranberry 40th
anniversary edition Corvette. He and wife Suzanne led the other ‘vettes off the pier
on their way via Route 66 to Chicago to promote the show airing four Tuesdays in June.
Harley Peyton, executive producer/writer of the show, said it originated with his
desire to do a road show and felt that such a program would essentially be a rip-off of
the early 60s series. So why not just do a new Route 66 was his conclusion. The
four shows were all shot in California.
WE HEAR FROM THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES
Ms. Vivian Davies, California Historic Route 66 Association, 2117 Foothill Blvd #66, La
Verne, CA 91750; re: U.S. 66 Historic Route Signs; Dear Ms. Davies:
I just received and read your article, "Getting Those Signs Up!" in the
Spring 1992 issue of Roadsigns. In your article you reported that the foothill
communities had posted U.S. 66 Historic Route signs, but that the westside cities had not.
As far as I know, the cities of West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and Santa Monica have
not posted such signs. However, the city of Los Angeles posted 28 special signs in
November 1992, in celebration of the 66th anniversary of the route. I am
enclosing a copy of our City of Los Angeles Department of Transportation’s
newsletter, which on page 10, reports our posting of signs, gives a short story of Route
66, identifies each of the historic routes through the city and shows a picture of our
very unique signs.
As stated and shown in the article, we feel that the signs within the City of Los
Angeles are the most unique and authentic of all those along old U.S. 66. First, the brown
and tan background colors of the signs evoke a sense of history since they are the same
colors used for historical markers. Second, the period for which each of the three
pre-freeway routes were officially part of U.S. 66 are shown. And third, the shield on the
foreground of the sign replicates in exacting detail the original signs complete with the
California state name on top, the boxey numerals and the old bell logo of the Automobile
Club of Southern California (ACSC) at the bottom of the sign. ACSC undertook
responsibility for posting all route signs for the initial 20-year period between 1927 and
1947 and recently gave the city permission to use their logo for the commemoration.
Also, the article identifies each of the pre-freeway routes and periods when they were
part of the route. We feel that this information which has been documented by consulting
archival Auto Club maps, would be of interest to you and your readers. For example, few
persons are aware that Huntington Drive, Mission and North Broadway are part of the
original route; or that the Santa Monica Boulevard segment did not become part of the
route until about 1935; or that the intersection of Lincoln Boulevard and Olympic
Boulevard, not the intersection of Santa Monica Boulevard and Ocean Avenue was the
official end of the route.
As stated in the article, the first route starting in 1926 was along Colorado
Boulevard, Fair Oaks Avenue, Huntington Drive, Mission Road, and North Broadway to Sunset
Boulevard where it joined old U.S. 101. Around 1935, the second signed route resulted by
extending it westerly, along Sunset Boulevard, Manzanita Street, Santa Monica Boulevard
and Lincoln Boulevard to Olympic Boulevard where U.S. 66 joined the new coast route of old
U.S. 101 Alternate. By 1937, the official route between Pasadena and Downtown Los Angeles
became Colorado Boulevard and Figueroa Street, concurrent with the completion of
construction of four tunnels through the Elysian Hills. This third route replaced the 1926
original route. The tunnel sections now are the northbound lanes of the Pasadena Freeway.
When the Pasadena Freeway was opened in stages between 1940 and 1942, the route shifted
from Figueroa Street to the new facility, then known as Arroyo Seco Parkway. Sincerely,
(signed) John E. Fisher, Principal Transportation Engineer
HISTORIC HOME ON ROUTE 66 HAS A FUTURE
Statuesque with dignity on a large plot of ground, but forlorn from days of glory gone,
the Klusman House is a stately Spanish eclectic home with paneled doors and an unusual
leaded window with gold panes in a polygonal tower. There are additional French doors and
arched windows. The rear of the home is as interesting as the front with large bay windows
and arched corner porch on the second floor.
Built in 1928, it is an excellent example of 1920s architecture that chose to go beyond
the prevalent Mission style to emphasize the richness of Spanish elaborations found in
Latin America. The style was only adapted during the 20s and early 30s and rarely seen
outside of Florida or the Southwest.
At 8841 Foothill Blvd., (Route 66) at Vineyard Ave. in Rancho Cucamonga, the house
stands vulnerably out of place where signs of progress plow on. Newly bulldozed across the
street was one of 66’s many novel spots — a roller rink and restaurant with a
Polynesian theme. Not a hint remains.
So what will become of the Klusman House? It turned out to be a timely question that
new president Geoffrey Willis asked of Rancho Cucamonga planners one week before the city
council would vote for it to be designated as an historic landmark. He wrote a letter
which his wife JoAnne presented at the council’s May 5th meeting,
applauding them for their preservation intent. A copy of the letter and this article will
be sent to the present owner, Gilbert Rodriguez, Jr. for applying for this status.
The original owner, John Klusman, left other area legacies as well. His many interests
included the vineyards, citrus, water and construction. Among his many accomplishments, he
established the Mission Winery, later owned by Garrett Company of New York and known as
the Virginia Dare Winery (on Route 66 now as a shopping center). He served as president of
the Cucamonga Water District for years. He built the Cucamonga Branch of the Bank of
America, (no longer standing) and the Sycamore Inn which is still a popular restaurant on
66 today.
For his own home he hired the architecture firm of Allison & Allison who
constructed the UCLA campus. The Klusman House may have been their only residential
assignment.
Future developing plans include an office complex of which the rehabilitated house will
be a part. The Klusman House is noted in the Guide to Historic Route 66 in California
and is one of the many treasures to be found on Route 66 in Rancho Cucamonga.
THE BRITE SPOT CAFÉ
The only coffee shop in the area, this historical landmark on Route 66 near
downtown Los Angeles was originally a donut and sandwich shop in 1949. A shoe shine, a
cleaners and a newsstand were the adjacent businesses on this prominent corner. The street
car from Echo Park went by on its way downtown. In 1957 the Alexander Family operated the
business and by taking in the other three little stores, expanded it into one half of what
it is today. In 1972 it was enlarged to the present size. The present owners acquired it
in 1984, redecorated it, maintaining its theme but changing the color scheme. There is a
warmth and charm in the décor that you don’t often see in a coffee shop. A
collection of historic and decorative plates is only one of the charms to be found.
Serving good food, having a clean place and good service, the Brite Spot Café is still
the only coffee shop in the area.
They are selling lots of turkey sandwiches because all the turkey is fresh —
nothing frozen. Their hamburger is cut and ground fresh each day — again, nothing
frozen. Specials are chicken regafato, (lemon butter sauce, Greek style, baked) and Greek
shish kabob. Very few restaurants in LA serve authentic ox tails, but Brite Spot Café
serves them every Thursday and folks come in from Beverly Hills just for that. Wednesdays
the special is fresh made chicken pot pie and again, Beverly Hills friends come in for
that favorite.
The Brite Spot Café is at 1918 Sunset Blvd, (across from Taix).
