OKLAHOMA AND TEXAS

North America » United States » Texas » Amarillo
July 8th 2010

Published: July 9th 2010

Edit Blog Post

budazz

Clinton Museum

July 8, 2010
We did not overnight in Weatherford after all. We went looking for some sights to see and ended up in Clinton, OK so that is where we stayed. In the morning we took our time waking up and getting ready to start again. Started the day at the Rt. 66 Museum in Clinton. A very interesting place. Took lots of pictures. The Valentine Manufacturing Company built many diners along the highway and the museum has rebuilt one on the property. The Trade Winds Motel is across the street from the museum—Elvis stayed there and they have kept the room exactly as it was
.
It has become clear to me that Rt. 66 was, for years, nothing but Motels, Diners, and Gas Stations. When IKE became president he was smitten by the Audubon in Germany and decided that the US needed major Interstates connecting the country. It was the beginning of the end for Rt. 66 and its businesses.

We drove on through some very small towns with nothing but abandoned buildings/motels, etc. Very sad. World War II brought some changes to the road for the duration. The 60s were probably the last years that Rt. 66

Valentine Mfg. Co.

was still viable. By the 70s, 80s the Interstates took over and bypassed the small towns. As I said before 66 runs alongside the Interstate most of the way. It is now just frontage road between what is left of the old way of life.
Today we made it to Amarillo, TX. We are at a RV resort just off I-40. See you tomorrow.

Additional photos below

Photos: 29, Displayed: 23