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Showing posts with label Route 66. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Route 66. Show all posts
Sunday, November 02, 2008
Happy Birthday Route 66!
Route 66 Birthday - Route 66 was officially established on November 11th, 1926.
Sunday, January 07, 2007
The Old Round Barn
By BS Brash
Originally built in 1898 by William H Odor, the Old Round barn has been a landmark for thousands of Old Route 66 travelers. It is right on Old Route 66 by Arcadia, Oklahoma. Although for most of the time Route 66 was commissioned it wasn’t in use because it was deteriorating and finally in 1988 the immense 60’ diameter roof collapsed. The repair bill was estimated at $165,000.00. It was through the timely intervention of Luther Robison, a carpenter since 1940 who had long admired the building - the only one of its kind in Oklahoma – who knew he could save the barn and bypass the exorbitant price tag. By recruiting volunteers, selling inscribed round barn bricks, setting up a roadside donation box and seeking donated labor and equipment, Luther Robison restored the round barn over the course of over four years for $65,000. The restoration was completed with the help of the Over The Hill Gang so called because almost all of the volunteers were over 65. For this reason, they were given the 1992 National Preservation Honor Award for outstanding craftsmanship and perseverance in the restoration of the historic 1898 Arcadia Round Barn.
There is no cost for admission to the Old Round Barn and the loft in the Barn is available for parties, weddings, meetings, dances and more; make your reservations well in advance. They are now open 6 days per week. Hours are 10:00a.m. to 5:00p.m. Daily Tuesday thru Sunday
For more information see the website at http://www.theroadwanderer.net/66Oklahoma/arcadia.htm
The Old Round Barn - P.O. Box 134 - Arcadia, Okla. 73007 - Ph. 405-396-2761 bill_campbell71@yahoo.com
Originally built in 1898 by William H Odor, the Old Round barn has been a landmark for thousands of Old Route 66 travelers. It is right on Old Route 66 by Arcadia, Oklahoma. Although for most of the time Route 66 was commissioned it wasn’t in use because it was deteriorating and finally in 1988 the immense 60’ diameter roof collapsed. The repair bill was estimated at $165,000.00. It was through the timely intervention of Luther Robison, a carpenter since 1940 who had long admired the building - the only one of its kind in Oklahoma – who knew he could save the barn and bypass the exorbitant price tag. By recruiting volunteers, selling inscribed round barn bricks, setting up a roadside donation box and seeking donated labor and equipment, Luther Robison restored the round barn over the course of over four years for $65,000. The restoration was completed with the help of the Over The Hill Gang so called because almost all of the volunteers were over 65. For this reason, they were given the 1992 National Preservation Honor Award for outstanding craftsmanship and perseverance in the restoration of the historic 1898 Arcadia Round Barn.
There is no cost for admission to the Old Round Barn and the loft in the Barn is available for parties, weddings, meetings, dances and more; make your reservations well in advance. They are now open 6 days per week. Hours are 10:00a.m. to 5:00p.m. Daily Tuesday thru Sunday
For more information see the website at http://www.theroadwanderer.net/66Oklahoma/arcadia.htm
The Old Round Barn - P.O. Box 134 - Arcadia, Okla. 73007 - Ph. 405-396-2761 bill_campbell71@yahoo.com
Monday, January 01, 2007
THE HAMBURGER STAND
BS Brash
In my youth, my family would frequently go to a small building across from Sears on 15th St in KC, MO, it was fondly called “The Stand” or occasionally “The Hamburger Stand”. My Uncle owned it along with his father-in-law. We kids just loved it, it meant a special treat, the equivelant of a trip to McDonald's today, but without the play equipment.
“The Stand” was a magical place, surrounded by smells that were so appetizing that your mouth started watering at least 3 blocks away. There was very little air conditioning in those days and the big fan that circulated the air out of the back of “The Stand” worked in more ways than one, not only did it help make "The Stand" more comfortable by pulling the heat of the grill outside and moving in cooler air, but it also served to circulate the amazing aroma of hamburgers being fried on the grill right on the onions for blocks around and, reduced to almost zero, any need for advertising. A taste that McDonalds has completely overlooked by putting the onions on raw after the hamburger has already been cooked. That beautiful smell also permeated the inside of the “The Stand” and some how mingled with the music being played on the Jukebox. Songs like “Take an old cold tater and wait”, “Don’t fence me in” and “Shoo Fly & Apple Pan Dowdy”. The music mixed with the taste of a cold Coke that burned your nose and throat, a hamburger fried on onions and fresh french fries. One of the glorious memories from my childhood. This from a time when the McDonald Brothers were just thinking about opening their second restaurant and the only famous Kings were not Burger, but The Little King from the comics and the King of England.
Why am I reminiscing about a hamburger stand, you ask?
Because I was in Carthage Missouri recently and when I am any where near Carthage I like to time it so that I can eat lunch at Whislers, a true Hamburger Stand! Whislers is one of those rare places that not only exceeds your expectations but doesn’t put a hole in your wallet at the same time. Hamburgers are 5 for $3.20 and cheeseburgers are 5 for $3.70. They only sell canned pop and bags of potato chips along with a small assortment of candy bars for dessert. If there are more than 5 people waiting you can expect to wait for your order about 10-15 minutes. The call-in orders get in line status and if it is a large order you can expect to salivate all over yourself while the counter people fry and pack all the orders that are ahead of you. But it is worth the wait! My recommendation is the double cheeseburger with all the fixin’s, add to that, chips and pop and you will have lunch for less that a Fin and well worth it! A meal fit for a king!
So the next time you are anywhere near Carthage Missouri, it will be well worth your time to stop and build yourself some memories!
Copyright 2007 BS Brash
In my youth, my family would frequently go to a small building across from Sears on 15th St in KC, MO, it was fondly called “The Stand” or occasionally “The Hamburger Stand”. My Uncle owned it along with his father-in-law. We kids just loved it, it meant a special treat, the equivelant of a trip to McDonald's today, but without the play equipment.
“The Stand” was a magical place, surrounded by smells that were so appetizing that your mouth started watering at least 3 blocks away. There was very little air conditioning in those days and the big fan that circulated the air out of the back of “The Stand” worked in more ways than one, not only did it help make "The Stand" more comfortable by pulling the heat of the grill outside and moving in cooler air, but it also served to circulate the amazing aroma of hamburgers being fried on the grill right on the onions for blocks around and, reduced to almost zero, any need for advertising. A taste that McDonalds has completely overlooked by putting the onions on raw after the hamburger has already been cooked. That beautiful smell also permeated the inside of the “The Stand” and some how mingled with the music being played on the Jukebox. Songs like “Take an old cold tater and wait”, “Don’t fence me in” and “Shoo Fly & Apple Pan Dowdy”. The music mixed with the taste of a cold Coke that burned your nose and throat, a hamburger fried on onions and fresh french fries. One of the glorious memories from my childhood. This from a time when the McDonald Brothers were just thinking about opening their second restaurant and the only famous Kings were not Burger, but The Little King from the comics and the King of England.
Why am I reminiscing about a hamburger stand, you ask?
Because I was in Carthage Missouri recently and when I am any where near Carthage I like to time it so that I can eat lunch at Whislers, a true Hamburger Stand! Whislers is one of those rare places that not only exceeds your expectations but doesn’t put a hole in your wallet at the same time. Hamburgers are 5 for $3.20 and cheeseburgers are 5 for $3.70. They only sell canned pop and bags of potato chips along with a small assortment of candy bars for dessert. If there are more than 5 people waiting you can expect to wait for your order about 10-15 minutes. The call-in orders get in line status and if it is a large order you can expect to salivate all over yourself while the counter people fry and pack all the orders that are ahead of you. But it is worth the wait! My recommendation is the double cheeseburger with all the fixin’s, add to that, chips and pop and you will have lunch for less that a Fin and well worth it! A meal fit for a king!
So the next time you are anywhere near Carthage Missouri, it will be well worth your time to stop and build yourself some memories!
Copyright 2007 BS Brash
Thursday, December 07, 2006
VAS ISS DAS VIENERMOBIL BISSNESS?
BS Brash
The recent birthday of Brooks Stevens, now deceased, who was one of the foremost industrial designers in the USA if not the world has brought to mind several automobiles which he has designed. Namely the Packard, Studebaker, Henry J, Excalibur and the Weinermobile. The Weinermobile? Yes the Weinermobile! Actually the Weinermobile was designed by or at least commissioned by Carl Mayer, son of the founder of Oscar Mayer Meats back in 1936. The first Weinermobile was made out of metal and was created by General Body Company of Chicago, IL. It was made to transport the world's smallest chef, Little Oscar. The original version featured open cockpits in the center and rear, later a glass enclosure was added to the drivers cockpit, in the center, for protection.
After the war, 1950-53, five Weinermobiles were commissioned to be built by the Gerstenlager company of Wooster, Ohio, these were set on a Dodge chassis, and were the first Weinermobiles to have buns! These toured the US for many years and served as a prototype for the next models.
In 1958 the currant style with a futuristic bubble-nose (and buns) was designed by Brook Stevens and built by the Gisholt Company of Madison, WI. Incorporating some of the first fiberglass applications in this country, this model was built on a Willys Jeep chassis. Unfortunately, it developed mechanical problems and was totally redesigned and rebuilt before retiring in the early 60's.
In 1960 two more Weinermobiles were built by the boys in the back room, the garage at the company's headquarters in Madison, WI. Using a variety of automotive parts from numerous suppliers, these served the company well for many years. One unit is still being used in Puerto Rico, the other is still used occasionally for trade shows and special events in the USA.
In the early 70's the Weinermobile program was discontinued. The last one was moved to Disney World to serve as the host at the Oscar Mayer sponsored restaurant there. The company then shifted it promotional focus to TV and consumer couponing.
In 1976 a styrofoam Weinermobile was again commissioned to be built by Plastics Products of Milwaukee, WI and was built using the same mold as previously. This one was mounted on Chevy motor home chassis. It served the company till 1988 when it was shipped to Spain along with two of the 1988 models.
In 1988 six more Weinermobiles were built by Steven's Automotive Corporation, Milwaukee, WI (designers of the Excalibur) and installed on Chevy van chassis with V/6 engines and five of those now tour the country all the way from the Mardi Gras to county fairs and are driven by "Hotdogger", college students chosen for their outgoing personality and profiled like movie stars. These "Hotdoggers" learn their trade at (where else) "Hot Dog High".
The company have since built four more Weinermobiles and shipped them to Spain and Japan.
The currant Weinermobiles are celebrities where ever they go. Each one is 22 hot dogs high, 52 hot dogs long, 18 hot dogs wide, and weigh 580,000 hot dogs. They run on a special high octane mustard (They really haul buns), with a top speed somewhere between a speeding bullet and ketchup pouring from a bottle.
They feature gull wing door, microwave oven, refrigerator, sun roof, steamer, loudspeaker system, Am/Fm radio cassette, CB radio, and air conditioning (It's a hot dog with all the fixins).
For those of you, like myself, who have seen them on the roads, here are their names; Yummy, Big Bun, Our Dog, Weener and of course Oscar. Oscar is the one that I see frequently as it tools up and down I-44 (the new designation for Old Route 66 for those of you who don't know) The above picture of Oscar was taken at The World's Largest McDonald's on the I-44 Turnpike at Vinita Oklahoma.
The Weinermobiles are definitely American celebrities of the road. If you ever get a chance to have your picture taken with one of them, send me a whistle (they give neat hot dog whistles away) and a picture for the wall.
BS Brash’s Email Address is BSB@BSBrash.com
Copyright BS Brash 2003-6
Sunday, December 03, 2006
Windmills, The Palm Trees of Route 66
By Karl Nichols
Windmills remind me of palm trees. I think it has to do with the fact that when the wind blows through the palm trees or windmills, it has a relaxing effect on me. Driving down Route 66 recently, I saw a windmill across the fields sitting motionless even though the wind was blowing about 20 miles an hour. It was as if the wind was blowing everywhere except at the windmill. It was probably rusted tight though inactivity. The windmills stand unused for the most part; looking for all the world like the jutting rib bones or dead dinosaurs haphazardly strewn here and there in a random pattern all along Old Route 66. The use of the windmill has slowed down due to many changes in our environment, electricity, changes in crop and animal usage on the farms. However the windmill is slowly gaining acceptance in the environmental field as a great tool as an alternative fuel. Not only can you pump water with a windmill, but also you can create electricity for home and business use. I am seeing huge fields of gigantic windmills cropping up in many states for electrical use only.
I was surfing the Internet recently and decided to do a search for windmills, the results were gratifying! There were many windmill websites including a couple of windmill magazines. Among the information on the websites I ran across was an ongoing effort to interest the post office in to making a commemorative stamp for windmills. One of the more interesting websites was dedicated to a windmill museum in Shattuck. Oklahoma. It has an interesting collection of rare & restored windmills from the 1850s to the 1950s symbolizing the method by which farmers were able to settle farm land that was without adequate ground water. The collection includes over 30 wonderful examples of pioneer ingenuity & spirit. Open daily for group tours available by appointment. This facility is handicapped accessible. P.O. Box 755, Shattuck, Oklahoma 73858 - 580-938-2818. Visit their website at http://www.woodwardok.com/parks/windmill.htm
Windmills remind me of palm trees. I think it has to do with the fact that when the wind blows through the palm trees or windmills, it has a relaxing effect on me. Driving down Route 66 recently, I saw a windmill across the fields sitting motionless even though the wind was blowing about 20 miles an hour. It was as if the wind was blowing everywhere except at the windmill. It was probably rusted tight though inactivity. The windmills stand unused for the most part; looking for all the world like the jutting rib bones or dead dinosaurs haphazardly strewn here and there in a random pattern all along Old Route 66. The use of the windmill has slowed down due to many changes in our environment, electricity, changes in crop and animal usage on the farms. However the windmill is slowly gaining acceptance in the environmental field as a great tool as an alternative fuel. Not only can you pump water with a windmill, but also you can create electricity for home and business use. I am seeing huge fields of gigantic windmills cropping up in many states for electrical use only.
I was surfing the Internet recently and decided to do a search for windmills, the results were gratifying! There were many windmill websites including a couple of windmill magazines. Among the information on the websites I ran across was an ongoing effort to interest the post office in to making a commemorative stamp for windmills. One of the more interesting websites was dedicated to a windmill museum in Shattuck. Oklahoma. It has an interesting collection of rare & restored windmills from the 1850s to the 1950s symbolizing the method by which farmers were able to settle farm land that was without adequate ground water. The collection includes over 30 wonderful examples of pioneer ingenuity & spirit. Open daily for group tours available by appointment. This facility is handicapped accessible. P.O. Box 755, Shattuck, Oklahoma 73858 - 580-938-2818. Visit their website at http://www.woodwardok.com/parks/windmill.htm
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