Anthony Reichardt recently uploaded more videos to YouTube from his travels on Route 66 during the early to mid-1990s in a 1959 Cadillac.
At the least, the videos are valuable for historic reasons. Some of the places Reichardt visited have disappeared or changed radically.
The first video is a chat with Glaida Funk of Funks Grove Maple Sirup near Shirley, Illinois. The business, which is one of the oldest in Illinois, has changed little over the years and remains in the same family.
Another place that’s little-changed over the last two-plus decades is the Ariston Cafe in Litchfield, Illinois, still operated by Nick Adam.
One place that has changed is the so-called World’s Largest McDonald’s on Interstate 44 near Vinita, Oklahoma. It underwent a much-needed renovation a few years ago. Renamed the Will Rogers Archway, it now contains a Subway and a few other businesses. It went through several other restaurants since it was built in 1957.
More videos may be viewed on Reichardt’s YouTube channel here. Reichardt still owns the Cadillac, although it hasn’t been driven since 2001. He aims to get it running again.
(Image of the Ariston Cafe in Litchfield, Illinois, by Maggie via Flickr)
‘THE WORLD’S LARGEST McDONALDS’ — that was a Johnny-come-lately title stuck on the beloved, old ‘GLASS HOUSE.’ The place changed hands and menus mannnnny times over the decades.
I was a child when the exciting, innovatively-designed new restaurant was built. My family piled in the car and drove down for a meal. We arrived for a late dinner. The atmosphere included fine dining complete with white tablecloths & napkins, etc… The subdued candle-light (and dimmed electric lighting) enhanced the ability to see through the windows. Part of the pleasure of being there was seeing the lights of the traffic on the Will Roger’s Turnpike. It was exciting to watch the vehicles — especially the over-the-road / 18-wheelers — plow under one side and then zoom on down the road on the opposite side of the building.
I vividly recall going to a Cousin’s wedding in 1964. We stopped at the GLASS HOUSE for a meal. My Dad allowed me to pick out anything I wanted in The Gift Shoppe. I chose a gigantic All Day Sucker! It was as large as a dinner plate, a rainbow-colored swirl and after two licks, it tasted horrible. I still have the pair of ‘Jackie Kennedy-like / over-sized dark sunglasses’ he bought me there too.
When I was in high school, we drove down from Joplin to the GLASS HOUSE for breakfast. The food was ordinary. The 4 of us had corn flakes — then drove like speed-deamons to get to school on time. That was 49 1/2yrs ago…and it was terrific fun.
This marvelous building was a place of enjoyment. It was not the food that had folks stop – it was the view, the thrill of being like t’he Colossus of Rhodes’ with tiny traffic passing through your legs on the roadway below. I would never trade the meals ‘n stop-overs there, for any other restaurant between Joplin and Tulsa. I strongly suggest everyone to pull over, get out at the GLASS HOUSE (or whatever the au currant name is today) and go in for a wonderful, memorable pause!
Audrey,
You have an amazing gift with the written word. What a descriptive and colorful memory of the ‘Glass House Restaurant’.
Anthony Reichardt
Santa Ana, California
‘1959 Cadillac on Route 66’
Thank you, A.R.
My Dad was HIGH DOLLAR JOE – an automobile dealer on East 7th St (when Rt66 was moved from a twisting path thro neighborhoods on the North side of Joplin – it literally came to our front door!) He owned the entire city block and had a remarkable business. He was an outstanding personality and served as an M.C., public speaker and auctioneer for just about every activity and charity in the 4 State area. That exposure made for a childhood unlike what anyone could ever hope to dream of…
I was reared on the Mother Road and remember a thousand stories of the people, places and businesses in Joplin, Mo. Some were honky tonks with a cast of characters out of a-quality noir movie while others were saintly, hard-working folks who constantly helped others and did without for themselves. It was, (as Forrest Gump’s Momma would say) ‘ …a box of chocolates;’ – You never knew etc…
Alas, what has not rusted and crumbled, been bulldozed, forgotten and paved-over by gravel from a chat pile or blown away with the wretched winds, it has all made visiting my former hometown a tour of heartache.
Audrey,
The world awaits more of your stories of life along Route 66. Write them down. Share them. You have a built-in fan base that craves your kind of hands on memories. I am perched at the top of that list along with thousands of others.
Anthony Reichardt
Anthony —
We can’t go on meeting like this. I can either Western Union you a lil’ ‘thanxs!’ fee for your inspiring, complimentary comments about Rt 66 or ADOPT you! Now, I am off — going to sharpen my bouquet of yellow DIXON pencils and get to scribbling… Howd ya spel ‘pothole’ – is it ‘pothole’ or is it ‘pot hole’?
Audrey,
Either ‘pothole’ or ‘pot hole’ works for me. Just what ever you do, it most certainly can never be ‘pot WHOLE’ !
Carry, my dear……
Anthony
ANTHONY —
Hahahahahaaa!
Good one! You get ‘9 1/2 Points’ / NOT a ‘Perfect 10’
because it took you 4 DAYS to think this one up
— but it wassssssssssss worth the anticipation.