The Garland County Historical Society, in association with the Garland County Library, will present "An Introduction to U.S. Route 66, America's Most Famous Highway," a program by author Drew Knowles at noon Tuesday at the library.
The program can also be viewed on the library's Facebook page or its YouTube channel:
https://bit.ly/4cYgKkM
https://bit.ly/3TYuwvb
"Knowles will introduce the what, where, why, and how of this country's most storied highway, U.S. 66, as heralded in his 'Route 66 Adventure Handbook,' now in its sixth edition," a news release about the event said.
"Attendees can ride shotgun as Knowles and his photographs take them on an adventure featuring some of the most iconic sights along what has variously been called America's Main Street and The Mother Road, stretching from Chicago, Illinois, to Santa Monica, California. Knowles explores the vanishing American roadside, with all of its exuberance, splendor, and absurdity -- magnificent architecture, natural wonders, Art Deco masterpieces, vintage motels and cafes, unique museums, offbeat attractions, fascinating artifacts and icons, and kitschy tourist traps," the release said.
As a bonus, he will discuss Highway 70, "a major coast-to-coast artery running through Garland County and the city of Hot Springs."
Knowles is a writer, photographer and veteran of dozens and dozens of road trips throughout the United States. In addition to "Route 66 Adventure Handbook," he is the author of "Route 66 Quick Reference Encyclopedia," and his writings have also appeared in Route 66 Federation News, Amarillo Globe-News, USA Today, GoNomad.com, and RoadTripAmerica.com, the release said.
His travel photography has been exhibited in museums and galleries both on and off "the Mother Road," including the Texas Route 66 Museum, the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum, the Lincoln County Museum of Pioneer History, Old Bedford School Museum, Garland County Library, Whittington Gallery, Mena Art Gallery, and Ouachita Artists' Gallery. Knowles is a longtime member of the Society for Commercial Archaeology, and currently lives in Hot Springs, where he has been a full-time resident for several years, it said.
A former motel at Groom, Texas, on Route 66. (Photo courtesy of Drew Knowles/Garland County Historical Society)
A gas station at Paris Springs, Missouri, on Route 66. (Photo courtesy of Drew Knowles/Garland County Historical Society)