A few days ago, someone at the National Center for Preservation Technology and Training uploaded a video and transcript of Michael Wallis’ keynote speech during the “Are We There Yet: Preservation of Roadside Architecture and Attractions” symposium in April in Tulsa.
Wallis speech, “The Coming of Roads,” contains several familiar themes from those who have heard him speak at other Route 66-related events. The speech’s title comes from a wistful song recorded by folk-music artist Judy Collins in 1965.
The video lasts about 62 minutes. If you’re short on time, you can read the transcript, which contains the question-and-answer session afterward.
But you likely will find the video to be a more effective medium for Wallis’ remarks because of that baritone voice that made a bit character, the Sheriff of Radiator Springs, more memorable in the 2006 Disney-Pixar movie “Cars.”
Wallis’ main claim to fame before “Cars” was being the author of “Route 66: The Mother Road” and nearly 20 other books. The best-selling Route 66 book, published in 1990, ignited the renaissance of the Mother Road during its decertification era. He, along with Angel Delgadillo, probably is the most consequential figure in the last 30 years of Route 66.
(Publicity image of Michael Wallis via Facebook)