Route 66-based story
written by OC,SH’s founder, inspired by his September 2009 Route 66 road trip

CHAPTER 21: SHAPING HISTORY

The older couple had not intended to stay at the business all day, but they did, except for going to get food for themselves & the brothers around lunchtime. In between greeting Route 66 visitors, the conversation centered around the town, how it has evolved, & how the brothers’ parents helped shape it.

For a brief time after the loss of the train depot, many residents thought the town would become a ghost town. But, the brothers’ Dad & Mom spearheaded a campaign to keep interest in the town. In fact, it was the brothers’ parents who implored the local Route 66 association to help revive the town, given the association’s failure to keep the train depot. Thus, much to the state’s chagrin, the town council unanimously voted down a measure that would’ve dealt a further blow, declaring in part: the town “is a Route 66 treasure &, with the backing of the local Route 66 association, we will move forth with plans to restore more structures to keep interest in our town, & Route 66, alive for current & future generations. Any & all attempts to devalue this town will not be taken lightly & will be fought to the fullest extent able.”

What most in the town didn’t know, at that time, was the town’s newest business owners had been the driving force behind the revitalization. The shopkeeper & his wife, however, did know & became fast friends with the newest family in town. Over the next several years, a few buildings received much-needed restoration work, including the shopkeepers’ business, & interest in the town increased to the point it became a “must stop” Route 66 destination. It wasn’t until the death of the sibling’s Dad that it fully came to light just how much of a roll he & his wife had played in breathing life back into the town.

Furthering the discussion that day between the brothers’ & the shopkeeper & his wife was a surprise visit by author & blogger, Jim Hinckley, who was traveling Route 66 & visiting several people & places. Jim shared some of the research he had done about the town as an “almost” Ghost Town….