Can Route 66 towns survive on nostalgia?
Summary
Host Victoria Craig travels along Route 66 to explore how the highway’s 100th anniversary is revitalizing its historic towns. The episode features interviews with business owners in Cuba, Missouri, and Clinton, Oklahoma, who discuss the economic impact of heritage tourism and the challenges of preserving the road’s legacy. It also highlights Seligman, Arizona, where 99-year-old barber Angel Delgadillo is credited with saving the town from decline after the interstate bypassed it. The story contrasts the road’s tragic origins during the Dust Bowl with its modern status as a symbol of freedom…
Topics discussed
Sponsorship and show introduction
Route 66 centennial and its historical context
Overview of the route and its current status
Interview with Wagon Wheel Hotel owner in Cuba, MO
Concerns about preservation and future of Route 66
Visitors celebrating the centennial in Cuba
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Sponsorship and show introduction
Route 66 Museum in Clinton, Oklahoma
Historical significance during the Dust Bowl
Economic impact and local development in Clinton
Nostalgia and the influence of the movie Cars
Tourism in Seligman, Arizona
Interview with Angel Delgadillo, savior of Seligman
Economic benefits and international tourism
Research on heritage tourism and call to action
Closing and sponsorship
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