Gangsters, Filmmakers, a Sports Legend - and a Whale?

theramblers88
Jul 10, 2019
2 min read

Updated: Oct 26, 2019

6/26

Bonnie and Clyde had an infamous shootout at this garage apartment in Joplin, Missouri

Today began with a what we thought was going to be a quick photo op in front of Bonnie & Clyde’s 1933 Garage Apartment Hideout. However Sandra, the owner of this now-AirBNB, pulled up and invited us in for a tour. After a string of robberies, the Clyde Barrow gang hid-out here for several months. Neighbors became suspicious and thought they might be bootleggers. On April 13, 1933, several police officers came. The outlaws opened fire and killed two of the policemen. The infamous gang escaped, leaving Bonnie’s camera, film, and other evidence linking them to several crimes. There are 2 visible bullet holes in the walls, too.

We then came upon the state line, literally painted on the road between Missouri and Kansas. We stopped for some fun photos. We even kissed while we were each standing in a different state......how cute!

We entered Galena, Kansas; the hometown of Tow-Mater! John Lasseter and his Pixar team traveled Route 66 several years ago to get ideas for a new movie called “Cars.” A 1951 International Harvester boom truck became the inspiration for Tow-Mater. They also found the inspiration for the Radiator Springs garage. Many photos were taken here - I’m a big Pixar/Disney fan.

We crossed a Marsh Arch “Rainbow” Bridge, and after 13.2 miles, we were out of Kansas. This state has the least amount of Route 66 miles in it....and then into the state with the most Route 66 miles in it - Oklahoma, with 374!

Modest beginnings for a great sports legend

We drove through Commerce, OK - hometown of Mickey Mantle. We saw the small home he grew up in - and where his father and grandfather taught him how to hit.

Then through Miami, Oklahoma. We found the Sidewalk Highway, the narrowest highway in the US. It’s only 9 feet across, built prior to 1926. They were running out of money, so decided to make the road only half as wide so they could complete it!

In Chelsea, OK we walked under the Mother Road. Tunnels or underpasses were created for pedestrians because the road was so busy. This one is now decorated with a wonderful mural and they permit you to sign the wall!

Then off to Foyil Totem Pole Park, a 1940’s creation of Ed Galloway. Here are several whimsical concrete Totems, one that is 90 feet tall. It is now part of the National Park Registry.

The Blue Whale of Catoosa is actually very friendly!

Next, Catoosa and the Blue Whale. It’s an old swimming hole with a giant blue whale. This was an anniversary gift from a sculptor to his wife, who collected little whales. It is now part of the Route 66 roadside attractions.