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In my travels on the back roads doing genealogy research, I’ve seen hundreds of remnants of times gone by. These iconic symbols of "Americana" inspired me to create this blog. By documenting them, I'll remember and maybe you'll find something interesting to hunt down next time you are in one of these areas!
You can use the search feature in the blog to look for specific cities or states. Enjoy!
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Oak Liquors, Manchester Tennessee
This store had it's beginnings during the scandalous reign of Governor Ray Blanton. The Oak Liquor store was tied to a retail liquor license application by R.B. Sowell in 1977. The Blanton administration was infamous for corruption in regards to the illegal sale of these licenses. Blanton was eventually convicted of conspiracy, mail fraud and extortion for controlling who received highly sought-after retail liquor store licenses. This could, of course, have no connection to t
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3 days ago


Semi-Private Outhouse, McMinnville Tennessee
Not far behind the Lucky Community Center, at the edge of the woods, sits this two stall outhouse. Hopefully they have indoor facilities as well. You'd have to be in a pretty desperate situation to use these. Not much comfort with no seat in one stall and a broken one in the other, not to mention the lack of privacy. You'll find this little treasure from the past on Lucky Road north of McMinnville, TN
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3 days ago


The Madonna Inn, San Luis Obispo California
Alex Madonna opened the inn in 1958 with 12 rooms that quickly expanded to 110 themed rooms, a bakery, restaurant, wine cellar, coffee shop, cocktail lounge, spa, gift shop and much more. All with a lot of pink. It looks like it was designed by a Barbie dreamhouse enthusiast. I'm not a big pink fan, but I have to say that I totally didn't hate it. This place is great! Definitely worth a visit. Stop by and embrace the pink on Madonna Road in San Luis Obispo, CA
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3 days ago


Buffalo Pub and Grill, San Luis Obispo California
The pub began in 2008. The building that it is located in was built in 1920. I couldn't find what the origins of the building were but it may have always been some kind of eating establishment as I found an application for a liquor license by the Tamo Brothers in 1933. They were an early Swiss-Italian immigrant family of the time. You can see the retro neon sign on historic Higuera Street in San Luis Obispo, CA
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3 days ago


Giant Donut, Long Beach California
Mrs. Chapman's Angel Food Donut Shop opened in the 1950's. At one time there was a chain of 20 of them which began in 1941 but this one is the last to remain that still bears the original name. The name comes from the founder, Jack Chapman's, mother. Locals say, "meet me at the giant donut" is better directions than google maps as it is used by most for navigation. You can see this iconic donut for yourself on Santa Fe Avenue in Long Beach, CA
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3 days ago


Salvation Mountain, Niland California
Artist Leonard Knight spent three decades turning a humble hillside into a psychedelic sermon. Using adobe clay, straw bales, old tires, junked cars, and roughly a half-million gallons of donated latex paint, Leonard created what can only be described as a biblical acid trip. Bright flowers, waterfalls, bluebirds, the Sea of Galilee, giant hearts, crosses, and Bible verses scream across the landscape in bright vivid colors. So if you’re ever driving through the blazing Imperi
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Jun 14


Bombay Beach Drive-In, Bombay Beach California
This isn’t your average theater. There’s no overpriced tickets or popcorn. Instead, you get a glorious collection of wheel-less, rusted, sun-bleached classic cars parked in perfect formation, all staring reverently at a retired semi-trailer truck serving as the world’s most improvised movie screen. This outdoor art installation gives off a post-apocalyptic wasteland vibe, where the loyal patrons showed up in 1975 and never left. Stop by and walk among the vintage cars on Aven
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Jun 14


The da Vinci Fish, Bombay Beach California
Built from a salvaged 1974 Beech King Air airplane fuselage, scrap metals, wood and whatever else the artists could weld, bolt or duct tape together, this flying fish is a sight to behold. Created by a crew of artists lead by artist Sean Guerrero, it takes the spirit of Leonardo da Vinci's flying machine sketches crossed with the legendary local fish apocalypse. It's best viewed from Avenue D in Bombay Beach, CA
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Jun 14


Bombay Beach TVs, Bombay Beach California
Dozens of discarded TVs painted with colorful scenes, make up this outdoor art piece created by local artist Jack Parker. This piece is one of the most iconic salvagepunk landmarks of this nearly abandoned former resort town. The TVs are easy to find on 4th Street in Bombay Beach, CA
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Jun 14


Ski Inn Art Installation, Bombay Beach California
This wooden open air structure stands as the spiritual desert cousin to the real Ski Inn down the road that proudly claims to be the "Lowest Bar in the Western Hemisphere" as it's 237 feet below sea level. It's a fun photo op. I have a great one of my granddaughter serving me a drink at the bar! Definitely no skiing on the Salton Sea, but stop by anyway for the photo off of 5th Street in Bombay Beach, CA
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Jun 14


The Confessional, Bombay Beach California
This lone freestanding wooden church confessional was created by artist Keith Jones. No privacy, just a place for lost souls to spill their deepest secrets to the desert wind. Stepping inside was oddly peaceful. Sit inside for yourself off of 5th Street in Bombay Beach, CA
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Jun 14


Bombay Beach Bus Stop, Bombay Beach California
This art piece perfectly captures the local transportation philosophy, "The bus is never coming". When you arrive here, you realize that you are not waiting for a ride, you are waiting for meaning. I encourage you to take a seat on the bench on the shores of the Salton Sea off of 5th Street in Bombay Beach, CA
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Jun 14


Free Love Phone Booth, Bombay Beach California
No phone or dial tone, just a free hanging handset with a direct connection to the heavens. No loose change or data plan required, just believe! The piece was created by artist/environmentalist Irondad. You can see it along with loads of other outdoor art off of 5th Street in Bombay Beach, CA
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Jun 14


The Porch View, Bombay Beach California
This porch offers a slightly dystopian view of the Salton Sea and the surrounding desert. Complete with furniture, decor and even a mailbox, this art piece makes for a great photo op. Stop by for yours off of 5th Street in Bombay Beach, CA
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Jun 14


Tesla Charging Station, Bombay Beach California
Created by artist Keith Jones, you'll find this fully non-functional charging station in the middle of a toxic wasteland landscape. Hopefully, for the electric vehicle crowd, your 400 mile range is still feeling very optimistic because the nearest real charger is pretty much in another dimension. Still a fun stop off of 5th Street in Bombay Beach, CA
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Jun 14


The Death Ship, Bombay Beach California
This giant skeletal ship in the sand is the creation of artist Sean Guerrero. It was built with reclaimed wood, metal and discarded hardware and sits on the shoreline of the Salton Sea. It's one of many unique art pieces in the Bombay Beach Art Community. This one isn't very far off of 5th Street in Bombay Beach, CA
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Jun 14
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