Amarillo Globe-News writer Lee Passmore discovered that the Route 66 hamlet of Bushland, Texas, apparently sits on the exact halfway point between Los Angeles and Chicago.
While I was on the Net looking for high school baseball schedules (only eight days after four inches of snow covered the ground), I somehow found myself on the Wikipedia page for Bushland, Texas. I discovered that Bushland is the exact halfway point between Chicago and L.A., located 1,062 miles from both cities.
Amarillo has gotten mileage for years from its association with Route 66, the mother road which connects the extremes of Chicago and Los Angeles. Yet, there’s no mention of Bushland for being the halfway point.
I think this is an opportunity for Bushland to let the rest of the country know its unique position as the halfway point between two of America’s three biggest cities. It could even serve as something of a tourist attraction.
I suppose Bushland could try to gain a little tourism traffic by touting its halfway status.
However, the small town of Adrian, Texas, which is just 35 miles away, already trumpets itself as the midway point of Route 66 from Chicago to Santa Monica. The sign in Adrian that marks this spot already serves as a stop for many travelers, as this Flickr photo search shows. The fact the famed Midpoint Cafe sits across from the sign doesn’t hurt, either.
Strangely enough, Passmore doesn’t mention Adrian and its well-publicized midpoint connection.
So … if you had your choice, would you visit the halfway point of Route 66, or the halfway point between Chicago and Los Angeles?
I’ll do the halfway point of Route 66 thank you very much, and while I’m there I’ll have some very fine “Ugly Crust” pie, and a nice visit with Fran!
Make your mark where you will Bushland, we know where the original is, and we know where the smell of cattle is too! lol
Ron,
I wonder if the calculation was based on a town -to-town basis, or an actual measurement on an odometer was made….and in that case, was the measurement made using the original route, or a second or third alignment which would likely shorten the distance measured. Since making an actual measurement of the original Route would be difficult since portions are covered or totally gone, I guess I would stick with Midway being in Adrian until proof otherwise is presented đ
I know where I’m gettin’ my rootbeer float!
Also depends on what your definition is … halfway, half-way, or half way :).
There were enough different alignments over the years that the halfway point could be anywhere between Tucumcari and Shamrock.
Not much in Bushland ( of course there isn’t much in Adrien either )except a filling station/convienence store & Bar-B-Q Barn II which has great BBQ & all you can eat catfish every Friday evening.