Notes from Museums

1915 - when the National Old Trails Highway became the first coast-to-coast road, travelers began to experience running alongside the monstrous train engines.  Portions of this road, which later served as the 1926 alignment of the newly designated U.S. Route 66, through Northern Arizona gave some Americans their first taste of "riding shotgun" with the trains (a pastime which is still alive and well along Historic Route 66.)

Mohave County Miner:  "W.C. Babcock and wife motored as far as Seligman...and found the going mighty bad, having been stuck in the mud several times east of Nelson...They ditched the car at Seligman and took the train..."

1917 - Oatmen News:  "no more work (might) be done on any of the State Highways until after the war (WWI)...the entire state highway staff of engineers and road makers are to be turned over to the army to build roads from...France to Berlin..."

1923 - from Hobbs Grade and Surface Guide we find that "there is no dangerous or really bad road on the Santa Fe Trail...but there are stretches of slow, rough and tiresome road...Remember New Mexico and Arizona have been states for only twelve years ...but likely....spend more on their roads...than the state you came from."

1939 -  Route 66 was paved from Chicago to Los Angeles.  The completion of the paving on the eve of World War II was very significant to the war effort.  Improved highways were needed for rapid mobilization during the war.  At the outset of World War II the military chose the West for many of its training bases because of the good weather and geographic isolation.  Several of these, including Kingman Army Airfield Gunnery School were located on or near Route 66.  The military appropriation of the railroads during the war proved a boom to the trucking industry.  While car production fell from 3.7 million in 1941 to 610 rationed cars in 1943, production of trucks capable of hauling 300,000 pounds and more increased.  Fifty percent of all military equipment was hauled by truck during the war years.  It was not uncommon to see mile-long convoys transporting troops and equipment on U.S. Highway 66.

(Can you IMAGINE only 610 cars were built for private purchase during 1943!?!)

Check out this advertising:

YOUR 1943 CAR IS THEIR TANK OR GUN

     The wheels of the great automotive industry are attuned to war productions and the assembly lines which formerly turned out new automobiles for your business and pleasure are turning out equipment for your protection.

     You can't buy new cars so protect your old automobile by bringing it into our expert mechanics for inspection and repairs.

    Old Trails Garage

Overhead in the 1950's:

"No one can afford to be sick anymore.  $35 a day in the hospital is too rich for my blood."
"The drive-in restaurant is convenient, but I doubt they will ever catch on."
"If cigarettes keep going up in price, I'm going to quit.  A quarter a pack is ridiculous."
"Have you seen the new cars coming out next year?  It won't be long when $5000 will only buy a used one."
"I'll tell you one thing, if things keep going the way they are, it is going to be impossible to buy a week's groceries for $20."
"We won't be going out much anymore.  Our baby sitter is now asking 50 cents an hour.  Kids think money grows on trees."