Jim Hinckley – Route 66 Author, Tour Guide, and Advocate
Website: Jim Hinckley’s America
For more than three decades Jim Hinckley has been telling people where to go and sharing the adventure. His passion for Route 66, the back roads of America and the automobiles he has shared through books, feature articles, blog posts, video, Facebook live programs, and presentations.
Published work includes nineteen books on topics as diverse as The Illustrated History of the Checker Cab Manufacturing Company, Ghost Towns of Route 66, Travel Route 66, The Big Book of Car Culture, and The Route 66 Encyclopedia, and most recently Murder and Mayhem on Route 66.
Join host Anthony Arno as he talks with Jim about his extensive book writing career featuring Route 66, and Jim gives personal feedback from some of his most favorite places along Route, his work in his home community of Kingman, AZ, and his early encounter with Jay Leno.
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Earliest memory of Route 66
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Throwing darts on a map to relocate the Hinckley family to Arizona
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The very first book: An Illustrated History of the Checkered Cab Company (2002)
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Most recent book: Murder & Mayhem on The Main Street of America: Tales from Bloody 66 (2019)
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Jim’s favorite Route 66 picks from his book, 100 Things to do on Route 66 before you Die: Museums, Restaurants, Motels, Photo Stops , and Must See Stops
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Route 66 Side Trips
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Most popular Route 66 Topics that Jim often presents to audiences
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Early Route 66 history and promotions
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International Route 66 community
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Visiting Jim’s hometown of Kingman, AZ
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Route 66 Community Education Programs
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Younger Generation of Route 66 Advocates
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Interests outside Route 66: Automotive History
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The curious picture of Henry Ford at the Jim’s boyhood home
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Grandfather Hinckley patents major bicycle component (1898)
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Connecting with Jay Leno and his Doble Steam Car
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What does Route 66 mean to you?
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Next on the bucket list
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Other historical (and whacky) highways in the United States
Website: Jim Hinckley’s America
Additional Websites/Links:
Jim’s Facebook Page
Jim’s Twitter Page
Kingman, AZ
Auto Books / Aero Books
The Blue Whale
Join Route 66 Podcast host Anthony Arno, as he talks with Blaine Davis (78 years old) about his fathers life long work as the director of the Tulsa Zoo, growing up with parents who truly appreciated the outdoors, and what prompted Hugh to construct The Blue Whale upon retirement despite not having any welding experience or working with cement.
Blaine Davis (L) and parents Hugh and Zelta and (R).
The life sized Blue Whale in Catoosa, OK, is one of the most recognized structures to be found along Route 66. Hugh Davis built The Blue Whale as an anniversary gift to his wife Zelta back in the 1970’s. At its peak The Blue Whale was. a popular swimming. spot, drawing well over 100 locals on a hot summer day.
In addition, Linda Hobbs, The Blue Whale gift shop manager and author of a children’s book featuring this Oklahoma icon also joins the conversation as she talks about the importance of The Blue Whale, what it was like working with Hugh, and why Route 66 is so important for the younger generation of children who visit this popular Mother Road destination.
Blaine Davis, retired Tulsa police officer and son of Hugh and Zelta Davis, talks about growing up with the Blue Whale and maintaining on of the most popular icons along Route 66.
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Earliest memory of Route 66
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Hugh and Zelta Davis
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Hugh Davis: Director Tulsa Zoo, photographer, conservationalist, and scout leader.
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When the Davis family would nurse zoo animals at home
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Zelta Davis and her personal passions
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Retirement for a Tulsa Zoo keeper- what’s next?
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Deciding to build a whale over any other animal
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Construction by hand with no formal masonry skills
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Linda talks about operating The Blue Whale gift shop
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Before The Blue Whale: The ARK
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The Blue Whale Coloring Book
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Google launches Snapchat Spectacles at The Blue Whale
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The Blue Whale in pop culture
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The day a famous Beatle visits The Blue Whale
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Before The Blue Whale for Blaine Davis
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A typical day at The Blue Whale
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What makes a Blue Whale visitor so special?
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The heyday of The Blue Whale with an overflowing parking lot
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Why is Route 66 so special to Blaine and Linda
Revitalizing The Blue Whale News Report
Snapchat Spectacle launches at The Blue Whale News Report
Mercedes Benz Car Commercial at The Blue Whale
The Blue Swallow Motel
Perhaps one of the most popular motels along Route 66, The Blue Swallow Motel has been in operation since 1941 and still provides patrons with private garages for their vehicles. Originally received as a wedding gift from her fiance, Lillian Redman ran the motel for over 40 years before stepping back from the hospitality business in her late 80’s. Since that time, there have been other owners, but Kevin and Nancy Mueller have maintained the true character of The Blue Swallow since 2011 that would have made Lillian proud.
Named by Smithsonian Magazine as “the last, best and friendliest of the old-time motels”, The Blue Swallow Motel has caught the attention of everyone from Pixar films to Bob Dylan. Featured in the classic movie Cars, The Blue Swallow’s neon is a wink in the movie to The Cozy Cone Motel, which displays in neon, “100% Refrigerated Air” slogan.
Join The Route 66 Podcast host Anthony Arno as he talks with Kevin Mueller about maintaining and operating one of the most popular destinations along the Road. The episode features talks about
- Kevin’s earliest memory of Route 66
- Kevin and his wife looking for a semi-retirmement career along Route 66
- What the Mueller’s didn’t know about Route 66 and The Blue Swallow Motel prior to purchasing one of the most famous motels along the route
- Understanding the worldwide appeal of The Blue Swallow
- What other business Kevin and Nancy were considering along Route 66?
- Behind the scenes renovations at the motel
- Typical day at The Blue Swallow Motel
- The life of Lillian Redman, Route 66 advocate and 1950’s Blue Swallow proprietor
- Memorable guests and Bob Dylan’s sketch of The Blue Swallow
- Maintaining the neon lights
- Networking with other Route 66 motel owners
- The potential of Tucumcari
- Most popular souvenir from The Blue Swallow
- Kevin and Nancy’s bucket list.
Kevin Mueller and family
Bob Dylan
Beaten Path Series
The Keeley Institute
JOIN THE ROUTE 66 MOTOR TOUR WITH PODCAST HOST ANTHONY ARNO
Long before the glory days of Route 66, the Route 66 town of Dwight, IL, was the center of the world thanks to a Civil War surgeon who established the world’s first treatment center for alcohol and drug addiction. Dr. Keeley’s method involved having patients ingest flecks of gold dust, which was very secretive at the time. Join Dr. Timothy Hickman, from Lancaster University (United Kingdom) as he talks with Route 66 Podcast host Anthony Arno all about a little known treatment center that continued to exist well into the glory days of Route 66. By the 1900, Dr. Keeley was perhaps the most famous physician in the world that people loved to hate because of his methodology. Many thought that he was a real “quack,” but he was certainly a pioneer in treating addictions with over 200 treatment centers around the world by the beginning of the 20th Century. Don’t miss one of those episodes about Route 66 that truly contains a bizarre but true story about life along The Mother Road.
Program Highlights
- Dr. Hickman’s earliest memory of Route 66
- Early use of opioids for medical purposes
- Dr. Keeley childhood and upbringing
- Civil War surgeon
- The “secret” Gold Cure
- Reason for secrecy and reaction from medical community
- Addiction cure vs. treatment
- What did Keeley get right?
- Keeley reaches 300K patients
- I’ve been to Dwight International conference
- Why Keeley is the most famous physician no one has ever heard of
- The Alcohol and Drug History Society
- Journal Article: Keeping Secrets with the Keeley Gold Cure
29. The El Vado Motel
Chad Rennaker recently purchased a 1937 Route 66 motel and not only restored the motel to its original charm, but he also converted select rooms into a gathering space for area merchants. The result is a Route 66 destination that allows travelers not only a place to stay, but also a place to sample the local food and crafts from the region. Join Route 66 host Anthony Arno as he talks with Chad about restoring the El Vado Motel in Albuquerque, NM.
Program Highlights
- Chadd’s personal background in real estate
- Earliest memory of Route 66 & El Vado
- Old buildings having a soul
- Most interesting discovery in restoring the El Vado
- El Vado neon sign preservation
- Supporting local businesses with the El Vado restoration
- Upcoming projects in the area for Chad
28. Trucking Along Route 66
Tom Peters is the Dean of Library Services at Missouri State University, and an oral historian. Join Route 66 host Anthony Arno as he talks with Tom about his interviews with twenty two individuals directly associated with the trucking industry along Route 66.
Program Highlights
- Earliest Memory of Route 66
- Conducting an Oral History along Route 66
- Communicating on the road before CB radios or cell phones
- When the the railroad met the trucking industry: Good or Bad?
- Deregulating the trucking industry in the US
- Campbell’s 66 Express and Snortin’ Norton’
- Technological Advancements in Trucking: Communications, Diesel Engines, Road Construction
- Primary focus of attention driving from West to East (LA to Chicago)
- Route 66 as a working environment
- A new generation of truckers
- Truck Abandonment
LINKS
Missouri State University Route 66 Oral History Project
(Sample Videos Below)
Larry Posey (VP Sales & Marketing, Campbell’s 66 Express)
Don Robinson (Drove 3.2 million miles)
Rich Henry (Henry’s Rabbit Ranch)
Georgia Shaffer (Campbell 66 Employee)
Greg Gaszak (Route 66 Enthusiast and Campbell Freight collector)
Susan Scott (Manager of Yellow Freight Trucking Company)
Mark Walker . (Chairman and CEO Transland Trucking Company)
Bruce Crim (Campbell 66 Employee)
27. A talk with former Harvey Girls
The final segment of a three part series featuring The Fred Harvey Company. Route 66 Podcast talks with former Fred Harvey employees, including twins Bernette Jarvis (left) Beverly Ireland (right) and Toni Pachinko.
Former Harvey Girl twins Bernette and Beverly at at recent Fred Harvey weekend gathering in Santa Fe, NM.
CBS Sunday morning featuring the life of Fred Harvey and former Harvey Girls Bernette Jarvis and Beverly Ireland. Clips included from the annual Fred Harvey weekend in Santa Fe, NM.
Winslow, Arizona
La Castanada
Las Vegas, New Mexico
SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
A talk with Katie Miller, great, great, great granddaughter of Fred Harvey
KATIE MILLER
- Reaction to Julie Garland movie, The Harvey Girls
- What it means being related to Fred Harvey
FRED HARVEY EMPOLYEES
- Bernette and Beverly leave Minnesota at the age of 18 searching for adventure
- Father promises them a new horse if they return back home
- Tracing Route 66 to the Southwest
- When was the first time they heard of Fred Harvey?
- Mr. Williams – LaFonda Manager
- Harvey Girl Training
- Expectations and Rules of employees
- Harvey House uniforms
- Famous customers
- The twins reveal the day a customer took them shopping
- Social life for a Harvey Girl
- New found celebrity status of being a former Harvey Girl
- Lifelong Skills as a Harvey Girl
LISTENER FEEDBACK
Angel Delgadillo playing the saxophone as captured by Route 66 Podcast fan Nick Fiore of Colorado
Allan Affeldt restores former Fred Harvey buildings
Fred Harvey biographer Stephen Fried
26. Allan Affeldt – La Posada & La Castaneda Historic Fred Harvey Route 66 Hotels
Arizona based entrepreneur Allan Affeldt has successfully proven more than once that he can purchase old, abandoned railroad buildings along Route 66 that has had the Fred Harvey footprint and converted them into historically beautiful hotels in the southwest.
La Posada
Winslow, Arizona
La Castanada
Las Vegas, New Mexico
Allan Affeldt with wife and artist, Tina Mion
TINA MION
American Contemporary Artist Tina Mion
SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
A talk with Katie Miller, great, great, great granddaughter of Fred Harvey
KATIE MILLER
- Biggest discoveries of being related to Fred Harvey
- Filling in the missing pieces through family members
ALLAN AFFELDT
- Earliest memories of Route 66
- College Student – Leading Social Justice Movement
- First Vision of abandoned La Posada Hotel
- History of La Posada
- Hidden gems discovered while renovating La Posada
- Reaction from family and friends upon purchasing abandoned hotel
- The Turquoise Room – Recreating a Fred Harvey Dining Experience
- The work of Tina Mion – wife and American contemporary artist
- Importance of Mary Colter at La Posada and Fred Harvey Company
- The lure of Las Vegas, New Mexico
- Restoring La Castanada
- Rebuilding historic buildings versus starting from scratch
- Using local craftsmen to recreate the past
LISTENER FEEDBACK
Route 66 Fan Spencer Danley with his 1974 VW Super Beetle
Stefan Koch – Route 66 Fan (Cellist and Richard Stohr Interview)
25. The Fred Harvey Company with author Stephen Fried
Stephen Fried is a past editor of Philadelphia Magazine and has written Thing of Beauty: Tragedy of Supermodel Gia, and Benjamin Rush, the Visionary Doctor Who Became a Founding Father. For the Route 66 community, Fried has written the ultimate Fred Harvey book, Appetite for America: How Visionary Businessman Fred Harvey Built a Railroad Hospitality Empire That Civilized the Wild West, which took five years of continuous research.
For the first time, The Route 66 Podcast will feature a 3-part series highlighting the life and work of Fred Harvey. This episode, features a talk with author Stephen Fried, who talks all about the Fred Harvey business and his role on literally creating the first brand in America. In addition, the show will also feature a talk with the great, great, great granddaughter of Fred Harvey- Katie Miller.
Fred Harvey
Stephen Fried
Author Stephen Fried
Website: Stephen Fried
Facebook Page: Stephen Fried
Twitter: Stephen Fried
The Fred Harvey Movement as featured on CBS Sunday Morning
FRED HARVEY RELATED MUSEUMS
Belen, NM – The Belen Harvey House Museum
Levenworth, KS – The National Fred Harvey Museum
NM History Museum – Permanent Fred Harvey exhibit
Heard Museum (Phoenix) – Mary Colter and Fred Harvey collections
Northern Arizona University – Kline Library Movie memorabilia
THE FRED HARVEY MOVEMENT AS COVERED BY CBS SUNDAY MORNING
SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
A talk with Katie Miller, great, great, great granddaughter of Fred Harvey
KATIE MILLER
- Earliest knowledge of being related to Fred Harvey
- Seeing Fred Harvey in pop culture and immediately becoming curious
- Attending Fred Harvey weekend and meeting Fred Heads
STEPHEN FRIED
- Asking, Who the hell is Fred Harvey?
- Early days of Fred Harvey in America
- Attempting to tame the west by hiring 100,000 women for Fred Harvey restaurants (1883 – 1940’s)
- What Fred Harvey got right
- What Fred Harvey could have done better
- The Cup Code
- What it was like working for Fred Harvey
- Americanitis: Disease of the wealthy
- Death of Fred Harvey and perpetuating his name 10 years beyond his death
- Son Freddy Harvey
- Major role in American aviation growth
- Trans-Continental Air transport
- Tragic airplane death of grandson Freddy Harvey 1936
- Resurgence of Fred Harvey Houses during WW II
- Release of Harvey Girls movie (1946)
- Most popular Fred Harvey museums
- Grandson Ford Harvey
- connecting with Mary Colter to promote Native American Art
- Popularity of Americana and Route 66 after September 11th
- Following path of Fred Harvey legacy on Amtrak train with suggestions
- Popularity of Fred Harvey weekends in New Mexico
Route 66 traveler Greg Graham from Ireland getting his Kicks on Route 66
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