Route 66 Lost & Found: Ruins And Relics Revisited

by Russ Olsen

Much more than a ribbon of crumbling asphalt, Route 66 is a cultural icon revered the world over for its nostalgia value—an east-west artery pointing America toward all the promise that the great West represented. But as stretches of Steinbeck’s “Mother Road” were bypassed and fell into disuse, so too did most of the bustling establishments that had sprouted up from Illinois to California to cater to weary travelers and hopeful vacationers alike. Motor courts, cafes, main streets, filling stations, and greasy spoons—all are represented in this second volume of Lost & Found images from photographer Russell Olsen. As with its predecessor, Route 66 Lost & Found (2004), this new installment presents dozens of locations along Route 66’s entire 2,297 miles, showing them both as in their heydays in period photographs and postcards and as they appear today. Each site is accompanied by a capsule history tracing the locale’s rise and fall (and sometimes rebirth), as well as an exclusive map pointing out its location along Route 66. 

Genres: Travel, Art, History, Photography, Nonfiction, United States

160 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2004

Reviews

[Glenn]

Having traveled on several parts of this Highway, it was interesting to learn more on how different places developed. This book can be read from beginning to end or you could just do one state at a time or even just check out certain stops on the road.

[John]

Very much enjoyed this. Having grown up and traveled on the Mother Road it brought back some good memories. Still, it was a little sad seeing how things have changed.

[Paul Carpenter]

Anyone that loves RT66 should love this book. Awesome with loads of photos. The only negative is that it showed me how much of the road I missed when driving it.

[Betty]

Interesting graphic of the hospitality that served travelers in the 1940's and 1950's.