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 Since
1989, freelance writer Jim Ross
has been an active Route 66 advocate and enthusiast. Then a resident of
Bethany, Oklahoma, his early explorations of Oklahoma 66 led him to write
the first guidebook to the route in the Sooner State, Oklahoma Route 66:
The
Cruiser's Companion, published in 1992 to coincide with the 66th
anniversary of the highway. The book was produced and marketed by Jim under
the imprint Ghost
Town Press, a name chosen to reflect the fate of hundreds of small
towns that withered and died when two-lane highways were replaced by interstates.His
early connection to the highway centered on the 1960s television show,
route 66, and childhood memories of traveling 2-lane America on family
vacations. As the current movement gained momentum, Jim developed a serious
interest in the road, recognizing its value as both a cultural icon and
a tangible link to the past for millions of Americans.
 About
that time, he became acquainted with road historian and artist Jerry
McClanahan. The two quickly formed a collaborative partnership
devoted to a comprehensive accounting of Route 66 and its myriad of pathways
through research, mapping, and photo-documentation. In 1994, they published
Here
It Is! The Route 66 Map Series, which is the first and only
documented set of fold-out maps to the Mother Road designed for today's
tourists. Maps in much greater detail by the two are often featured in
magazine articles or used to answer research questions that come from all
reaches.
Jim spent four years as
a staff writer for Route 66 Magazine, where he focused on the road's history
and articles devoted to finding older incarnations of the highway. An active
preservationist, he is also a charter member of the National
Historic Route 66 Federation, and writes regularly for The
Federation News on preservation related subjects. In 1998, he helped
draft the language for an Oklahoma Senate Resolution designed to protect
historic Route 66. Its passage came just in time to stop the transportation
department from bypassing the "Round Barn" town of Arcadia with
a new alignment of State Highway 66. He often serves as a consultant and
general resource to other writers, television and newspaper reporters,
scholars in search of information related to Route 66, and just plain folks
who need to know stuff.
Round Barn in Arcadia, OK on Route 66
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In 1997, Jim built
a new home on an old bypassed loop of historic Route 66 just east of Arcadia,
OK. The house is modeled after a 1929 Phillips 66 cottage-style filling
station, and since its completion has been a point of interest for passers-by
traveling the route. Inside, he has used a Route 66 theme, and in November
of 1999 the stretch of road where he lives was added to the National Register
of Historic Places. 66ers are encouraged to check it out.
Jim's house modeled after a 1929 Phillips
66 Station
Along with Jerry
McClanahan and videographer Kathy
Anderson, Jim's Ghost Town Press hooked up with Anderson Productions
in 1999 to produce a Route 66 video--Bones
of the Old Road, which takes a fun, colorful, look at five
of the Mother Road's forgotten pathways. Shot on location, this one hour,
twenty minute film is flavored with plenty of road scenes, history, period
photos, and even a twist ending.
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Jim's newest book, Oklahoma
Route 66, was released in May, 2001. Within its 200 pages are
62 maps, more than 240 images, and detailed driving directions (both westbound
and eastbound) for the Oklahoma road. It is the most comprehensive accounting
of a portion of the Mother Road in print.
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To check out or buy any of the above products
or to contact
Jim about speaking engagements, visit Ghost
Town Press.
To purchase Video "Bones
of the Old Road" at Amazon.com, Click
Here
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Jim Accepting Route 66 Hall of Fame Award
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Copyright
© 1999-2000 byJim Ross. All rights reserved.
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Site artwork©
1999-2000 by Cheryl - Email |
About
Jim Ross
