Table of Contents
Museum Musings
Museum Becomes A Tourism Machine by Mark Ward
Art Tour
Cinco de Mayo
Cyrus Avery Award for Creativity
National Trails Highway Slated for Repair Work
CHR66A Invited to Preservation Conference
Rogersdale, USA Set to Open Late 1998
The Trail of the Migrant Worker by Stacy Vellas
Sand and Pebbles from Oro Grande by Bill Hewson
Cruise the Route to Make New Friends by Kara Nelson
The Ghost of the Colorado Street Bridge
Miles Mahan Succumbs
Route 66 Subject of Elder Hostel Class by Barbara McDaniel
MUSEUM MUSINGS
Our California Route 66 Museum in Victorville is currently featuring illustrations of
an old highway by a new generation Entitled Kicks for Kids, the young American
interpretations are being shown in an exhibition of drawings which will run until July 20.
1997.
It is the result of entries received in the museum’s first youth art competition.
More than 40 entries representing three states and a dozen schools are exhibited in the
museum’s contemporary gallery.
Children were asked to create on the theme Route 66: An American Adventure. For
their efforts, each entrant received a free activity book. Awards were presented on the
opening day of the exhibit in April.
Danny Thomson, 7, of Apple Valley was the Grand Prize winner and received a $50 gift
certificate to the museum gift shop. The young artist’s creation will be converted to
a special edition T-shirt.
Sarah Bell of Huntington Beach received the Cyrus Avery Award for Creativity. Other
finalists recognized were Tyler Patterson 8, Victorville; Jessi Taylor, 15, Williams, AZ;
Gina Hall, 12, Amarillo, TX; and Carlos Vazquez, Jr., 10, Santa Ana, CA.
The competition and exhibition is intended to introduce the history and significance of
Route 66 to a new generation of travelers, according to museum curator Dan Harlow, a
former CHR66A president.
MUSEUM BECOMES A "TOURISM MACHINE". Mark Ward reports:
Here’s an example of how our little Victorville operation has become a
"tourism machine!" In one month, it will attract a Cinco de Mayo Festival; we
will have our art gallery participate in an art-lovers canvass; and a golf tourney at the
former George AFB will benefit us.
We close escrow on the Red Rooster building next door in May with hopes to have it
refurbished for our use in eight to ten months.
Art Tour
The American Association of University Women sponsored the Second Annual Art Tour
Weekend, just in time for National Tourism Week. Tickets were available at the Museum and
it was open special hours for the tour.
Cinco de Mayo
"Bring back the Tradition" was the theme for the 1997 Cinco de Mayo
celebration co-sponsored by the Old Town Property Owners Association. Entertainment
included Mariachi and ballet folklorico groups, and a pre-Columbian music group performing
music on replicas of ancient instruments such as conch and tortoise shells, drums and
shale.
CYRUS AVERY AWARD FOR CREATIVITY FOUNDED
The National Historic Route 66 Federation has established an award to honor Cyrus
Stevens Avery, who was known as "the Father of Route 66".
Avery was appointed Oklahoma Highway Commissioner in 1923. The Tulsa resident was later
appointed as a consultant to the federal government to oversee the development of the
nation’s first highway system. He can be credited with numbering the road 66 and then
working tirelessly to pave and promote the highway.
The award is planned as a periodic honor for an individual showing outstanding
creativity in the depiction of Route 66. David Knudson, president of the federation,
decided to begin the project with the children’s competition and exhibition at the
California Route 66 Museum in Victorville. The Museum is sponsored by the Old Town
Victorville Property Owners Association and the California Historic Route 66 Association.
Winner of the first award was Sarah Bell of Huntington Beach, CA.
The National Historic Route 66 Federation is a member-supported, non-profit
preservation organization. For further information contact Dave Knudson at PO Box 423,
Tujunga, CA 91043.
NATIONAL TRAILS HIGHWAY SLATED FOR REPAIR WORK
A project to rehabilitate the pavement on National Trails Highway from Interstate 15 in
Victorville to the Old Mojave River Bridge is budgeted for this year’s 1996-97
Capital Improvement Program.
The project is currently under design and construction is scheduled to begin in late
summer, according to Victorville city officials.
This section of Route 66, heavily traveled by local citizens, is currently in terrible
condition and the surface has deteriorated because of heavy truck traffic. Deep cracks and
potholes lurk to endanger the unwary traveler.
Part of an overall plan developed in the early 1990s to upgrade roads and highways in
the high desert, the scheduled repaving has been deferred because of budget constraints.
CHR66A INVITED TO CALIFORNIA PRESERVATION CONFERENCE
California Historic Route 66 Association was invited to participate in the California
Preservation Conference held recently in Pasadena.
Special events offered during the conference included silent auctions, walking and bus
tours, educational sessions, workshops, and mobile workshops.
CHR66A donated one of our distinctive polo shirts and an official copy of the Guide
to Historic Route 66 in California for the silent auction.
ROGERSDALE, U.S.A. SET TO OPEN LATE 1998
Visitors will be able to experience the culture of the Old West and recapture the
feeling of a simpler time when RogersDale, U.S.A. opens in 1998.
Scheduled to begin construction in the spring, the one of a kind 76-acre themed complex
will tell the story of the West from 1860 to 1960, and celebrate the lives and values of
American film legends Roy Rogers and Dale Evans.
With the theme Reliving the Spirit of Yesteryear, RogersDale, U.S.A. will
include stores, restaurants, entertainment venues, and the Roy Rogers-Dale Evans Museum.
Three distinctive theme areas are planned: The Old West, Early California and the 1950s.
So guests can more visually experience the roots and traditions of American history, all
employees will dress in period costume.
As an added touch of comfort for visitors, streets will be climate-controlled with an
outdoor misting system, sunshades, fans and heating elements.
The Roy Rogers-Dale Evans Museum is located in Victorville on I-15 (old Route 66).
THE TRAIL OF THE MIGRANT WORKER by Stacy Vellas
Stacy shared the afternoon with us at our recent Social at the Mitla Café in San
Bernardino. She lives in Brawley now, but traveled west during the 30s. She shares her
story with us.
I turned sixteen that year
When Daddy bought the yellow bus
And said, "We’re going to California
To make a new life for us.
California is the promised land
There’s lots of work I’m told.
We go; we make our fortune
A better life my kids will know."
We pitched our camp near Redlands
But rain had closed the sheds in town.
"There’s work in Imperial Valley," they said.
So, we packed and headed on down.
The pea fields stretched along for miles
Near Calipat in ‘forty three.
And little kids, too, carried hampers
And picked the sweet green pea.
The man at the scales paid on the spot
And the coins filled up my pocket
The sweet, fresh smell of the cool, damp earth
And the money, we couldn’t knock it.
A tent-house in a government camp
Mama made into a home
And that old yellow ’29 school bus
‘ Carried everything we owned.
By summer we’d crossed the Grapevine
Down into the San Joaquin.
From Bakersfield to Penryn
Our "mobile home" was seen.
We camped along the highways
And slept in the back of the bus.
Daddy built a fire ‘long side the road
And Mamma cooked for us.
The next government camp was our new home
When the fruit hung ripe on the vine.
And old "99" was the "Fruit Tramp Trail"
With a new job down the line.
But the open road was a heavy load
For my sisters in grammar school.
For kids who missed three months a year
Had lots of catching up to do.
‘Til Daddy bought a farm and settled down
And a bus came and took us to school.
He raised his crop on a five-acre plot
And peddled the things he grew.
Daddy always said to me
‘Ray, girl, it’s good to work
It makes the mind and body strong
And the money doesn’t hurt."
My dad taught us that hard work was rewarding and fulfilling. We were not allowed to be
sick and to this day I’m never sick. He had old country ways and those ways made
America strong.
One of the things that stands out in my memory was arriving at the Inspection Station
outside of Barstow. My parents, James and Olive Vellas, had everything packed and marked
so carefully. They were ordered to take everything out of the bus and put them on tables
to be examined by inspectors. Even the mattresses had to be taken out and laid on the
tables.
The inspectors went through each box turning things upside down. Mama wanted to take
her time and repack carefully — but there was "No time. Hurry up, there are
other people behind" ready to be inspected. So everything was just tossed into the
boxes and hurriedly put back in the bus.
The small trailer had to be unloaded, too. They took out the gas-powered washing
machine that meant so much to Mama, the treadle sewing machine and boxes of clothes and
bedding. By the time they were finished Mama wanted to turn around and go home.
After we were here awhile and changed to a California license plate they weren’t
as strict when we crossed between states.
What happened to these people? They worked in the fields until they had enough money
for a start. Then they got a house and job in town, sent their kids to school and learned
to say "you" instead of "ya’ll". In a few years they fit right in
with the rest of the people in California. In fact, it is the children and grandchildren
of "those people" that make up the anglo population in California now.
SAND AND PEBBLES from ORO-GRANDE by Bill Hewson
The southwest corner of South Bryman Road and Highway 66 allows a nice view of a valley
which, in its narrow setting, shows the Mojave River and the main line of the Santa Fe and
Union Pacific Railroads from where you stand beside the famous Route 66. While flying at
high altitudes, the valley is made up of small family farms that resemble a patchwork
quilt.
In a recent issue of Roadsigns an article by Katie Wheeler dredged up a lot of
memories when she mentioned Post Transportation.
Post Transportation was started by Alan Post. My earliest memory of him was in 1938
while he was working to build up that trucking company.
Alan had a 1937 Chevrolet with a 216 cubic-inch engine, developing about 75 horsepower.
It was set up as a two-axle tractor with a four-speed transmission, two-speed axle,
pulling a two-axle semi-trailer, and hauled 14 to 15 tons.
It was a tired team and a heavy load to pull over Cajon Pass. The loaded descent down
the pass was not for the timid or the inexperienced.
Alan liked to haul from our farm for my Dad as he could carry a pay load both ways and
the rates were better than for cement.
A trucker’s hours were long then and not controlled by the Department of
Transportation as they are now. When Alan would deliver a load of farm supplies or pick up
a load at the Velvet White plant at Bryman (Roadsigns, Spring 97) although not her
son, my Mom would make him go in and take a nap. My dad and I would unload and reload his
truck by hand — without loading dock — then wake him so he could be on his way.
Over the years, Alan continued to build one of the best trucking companies in the
country. He was on the road himself so he had the chance to find men that met his
requirements to build a good company.
Kenworth tractors were used mainly and one "LT" Mack, and tanks were built
especially for liquid chemical transport.
Post Transportation hauled for Stauffer Chemical of Los Angeles, transporting between
the plant there, one in Henderson, Nevada and another in Richmond, California, and their
numerous customers throughout the southwestern United States.
The drivers were trained to handle any chemical emergency incident known to exist in
transportation at that time; however, no one knew then of the dangers that existed with
the chemicals and several have died from cancer.
One Post driver, "Chili" Easton, lived in Oro Grande and went to school in
Victorville. I perhaps knew him best as it seemed our schedules kept us meeting at the White
Orange Café in Helendale. It was located across the street from Sage Brush Annies.
"Chili" died of cancer.
Al Carter, whose family had a farm on Bryman Road, worked for Post in later years. He
is retired now, living in Cerritos, CA. J.D.Walthall was one of the first drivers for Alan
Post and one of the last to leave. We used to meet at the White Orange also.
A job hauling cement from Oro Grande and Victorville to La Vegas was offered to me so I
had a chance to run with all of the Post drivers. All of them were good men.
Later, Alan sold out and retired to other pursuits in later life, one being to publish
the Pacific Bowler in Orange County. He left a legacy there as well.
One time I saw Alan digging in the desert out south of Las Vegas. When I stopped to
talk, he said he was digging trenches for footings as he was going to build a service
station for trucks.
Haselle Walthall, J.D.’s wife, has kept a scrapbook on Post. It reflects a man who
never forgot his friends or where he was from. It shows a man of integrity and honesty,
who was referred to as ‘Old Knobby Knees’. He is in a number of Halls of Fame
across the nation.
Another chance meeting with Alan Post at a little coffee shop in Los Angeles gave us a
chance to reflect on years past. He remembered my mom making him take a nap, packing a
lunch for him and treating him like a son.
We remembered those times were good with a strong sense of family and community,
"along Old 66".
"CRUISE THE ROUTE" TO MAKE NEW FRIENDS by Kara Nelson
Several new faces appeared at our Cruise the Route in March. It was a joy to see Jay
Pistiolas from San Diego for the first time. He and best girl Monica Mendoza were also at
our Social at the Mitla Café in San Bernardino.
"Flying in low" in March from San Jose were Barbara and Lee Trusty. The
Gherardis were with us again with their ’50 Plymouth as were John Morales and Daria
Kelley. Charley Hepperle brought friend Pat and there were several others who didn’t
manage to sign the guest book.
Seemingly tireless board members Maria and Bill Mutschler, Jenny Avila, "Chi"
Hamilton and her Jim went with us also. My special thanks to my hubby, Ron, for helping me
hold it together.
We were treated like royalty at Rusty’s Ranch Restaurant on the Santa Monica Pier.
The red carpet was rolled out for us also at the Santa Monica Best Western Gateway Hotel.
Katherine Stephan showed the many historical photographs used to decorate their meeting
rooms, then served us some of the best cookies this side of the Cajon Pass. Our
appreciation to both locations for their hospitalities.
Also due for some kudos are Irene and the whole gang who hosted us at the Mitla Café
in San Bernardino in April. The food was great, the company interesting and the pictures
shared nostalgic.
Our thanks to the several folks who shared their Route 66 photos with us. We look
forward to seeing La Vona and Bob Coath and Emerald and Denise St. John again soon. Stacy
Velles and sister Rose and Henry Nickel were attending for the first time. Unable to
attend but sending his album of Route 66 postmarks for us to share was Gordon Wall of
Victorville. Nice to see Bill Hewson. Youssef Anim and Nora Henry and a real kick to talk
with Paul Tremblay.
THE GHOST OF THE COLORADO STREET BRIDGE
It’s never been substantiated, according to an archivist with the Pasadena
Historical Museum, but it is said that one of the street lights on the Colorado Street
Bridge turns blue when "the ghost" is active. On the original alignment of Route
66, the bridge soars to a dizzying height.
During construction of the great bridge in Pasadena in 1913, legend has it that a
worker lost his balance and tumbled into the wet concrete that was filling a form for one
of the huge supporting pillars. The worker’s absence was not noticed immediately by
the foreman, and subsequently it was decided the body could not be recovered.
In the following years, the spirit of the departed worker was thought to have lured
almost 200 of those who were depressed to hurl themselves from the magnificent span.
Although Pasadena police estimate the number of jumpers to be considerably lower, the
stretch of Colorado Street across the yawning Arroyo Seco has long tempted those with a
self-destruct desire and has earned the nickname of "Suicide Bridge."
MILES MAHAN SUCCUMBS
Miles Mahan, the former proprietor of the roadside attraction Hula Ville near Hesperia,
passed away recently. Born June 9, 1896, he had never married and had no other family.
Mahan was best known as the eccentric, ex-carny who lived in a small truck camper with
no water, electricity or heat until mid-1995 when his health started to fail. He then made
his home in an adult care facility in Hesperia.
Hula Ville, a half-acre parcel of desert dirt, became an open-air museum and tourist
stop for those traveling old Route 66. It had been located on the west side of I-15 along
Amargosa since 1956. Old Town Victorville volunteers put what was left of it into storage
after vandals raided the location. They hope to eventually put portions of the
"treasures" on display, including the twelve-foot tall metal billboard of a Hula
girl, from which the attraction derived its name.
ROUTE 66 SUBJECT OF ELDERHOSTEL CLASS by Barbara McDaniel
Elderhostel is an educational adventure for older adults looking for something
different. We found it to be the adventure we enjoy. Recently we took a class right on old
Route 66.
Kingman, Arizona was our choice on this occasion. The description outlined a visit to
the authentic Route 66 western ghost town of Oatman, as well as two other subjects.
It is said the later years should be a time of new beginnings, opportunities and
challenges. Elderhostel is all of that. It offers you a way to keep on expanding your
horizons with people who are interested in the same things you are.
Upon arrival at the hotel, we moved into our rooms and then went to a meeting room to
greet our fellow Elderhostelers. Following dinner we met the people who were to be our
instructors. They gave us a brief outline of the time we would be spending with them. As
we participated in a "Meet and Greet" game, we became acquainted with the other
people attending and realized what an interesting group of people with whom we were going
to spend our time.
The classes are delivered on the campus of Mohave Community College. Bright and early
Monday morning we were delivered to the campus by college vans.
There we were introduced to the subjects: History of Mohave County — the
happenings during the building of our country; South West Archaeology: The status of the
lands at present and in the ancient past; and the third class which interested me the
most: Arizona Scenes on stage.
We were to visualize the early times of Kingman as though we were the early settlers.
What were the big events in their lives? What an event it would be when the area first
received electricity! What would we do under those circumstances?
We decided mutually that we should have a town party to celebrate. Among us were some
couples and singles who had learned to square dance so we practiced and freshened up our
skills. Others recited the articles that had appeared in the local newspaper. We had some
comical speeches by ‘possible’ local residents.
Elderhostel is a non-profit, educational organization offering inexpensive, short-term
programs hosted by educational organizations. All you need is an inquiring mind.
We look forward to the time when we can attend another Route 66 Elderhostel in
California.
