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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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Historic Orange Stand, Fontana California
This giant orange was built in the 1930's as an orange and fruit juice stand. It was one of six that Bob DeVries built for his family...
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Aug 23
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Wigwam Motel, San Bernardino California
Another one of the most iconic Route 66 images is the Wigwam Motel. Staying here was a true americana road trip experience! This was...
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Aug 23
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California Welcome Center, Daggett California
This peculiar little building was built in the 1920's and used as a state welcome center. The same building design was also used on...
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May 18
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The Red Garter Inn, Williams Arizona
Besides being a really great old building, what first caught my eye was the lady of the evening hanging out of the second floor window!...
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Aug 21, 2024
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Iconic Wigwam Motel, Holbrook Arizona
Another Cars movie inspiration, right down the road from Joe & Aggies Cafe, is the iconic Wigwam Motel. This motel was, of course, the...
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May 12, 2024
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Vintage Southwest Building, Lupton Arizona
The Chaparral Trading Post is another New Mexico/Arizona state line shop that caught my eye because of the unique building, but also...
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Jan 25, 2024
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Formerly the Tomahawk Indian Store, Lupton Arizona
Along a strip of trading posts and souvenir shops at the New Mexico/Arizona state line is the, now named, Teepee Trading Post. Once...
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Jan 25, 2024
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Spanish Style Theatre, Gallup New Mexico
This was one of my favorite buildings in Gallup. I was so happy to see the Spanish style facade from 1928 is in such great condition. The...
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Jan 25, 2024
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Vintage Quonset Hut Store, Prewitt New Mexico
If you look closely, you'll see the word "BAR" across the top of the faux front of the former Tomahawk Bar building, that has been...
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Aug 11, 2023
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TePee Curios Souvenir Shop, Tucumcari New Mexico
My first thought was, it is a shame that such a great vintage neon sign needed a spell check. As it turns out, tepee (not teepee) is the...
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Mar 25, 2023
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The Leaning Tower of Groom, Groom Texas
As we were riding down the road approaching Groom, we saw this water tower that looked like it was about to fall over. I snapped a photo...
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Feb 23, 2023
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The U-Drop Inn Cafe, Shamrock Texas
The Cafe was built in 1935 along with, and attached to, the Tower Conoco Gas Station. The cafe got it's name from a local school boy who...
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Nov 20, 2021
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Great Art Deco Building, Shamrock Texas
Along a long stretch of road without much to see, appears this great iconic building. The Tower Conoco Gas Station was built in 1935 and...
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Nov 20, 2021
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Definitely the most recognizable Route 66 attraction, Catoosa Oklahoma
This giant blue whale was not built as a Route 66 attraction, but rather as a unique birthday gift that was intended just for family fun....
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Aug 16, 2021
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UFO Siting, Livingston Illinois
Originally designed in 1968 as portable ski chalets, this "Futuro House" is one of the remaining examples of this iconic architecture...
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Jul 7, 2021
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Uniroyal Gal Waitress Giant and Ice Cream Cone Building, Livingston Illinois
The Pink Elephant Antique Mall has several advertising giants on display. These two are advertising their Twistee Treat Diner which...
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Jul 7, 2021
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Unique Architecture of the Castle Car Wash, Chicago Illinois
Traveling west on Ogden Avenue, be on the lookout for what remains of the Castle Car Wash on the south side of the road at 3801 in...
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May 4, 2021
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