The American Highway: The History and Culture of Roads in the United StatesWhen the automobile first made long-distance travel practical for the average American, a dramatic change began in the country's physical and cultural landscape. Road design and construction were challenged to keep pace with the automobile's rapidly advancing capabilities and number. And as real mobility sank into the popular consciousness, the way of life of Americans changed forever. This spectacularly illustrated history traces the transformation of America's roads from rutted wagon trails into ever smoother, faster and safer highways. Along with the sweat and ingenuity of increasingly ambitious construction, it explores the new roadside culture that sprang up to greet a society on the move. Places to eat, sleep, refuel, and see sights became as much a part of the highway travel experience as the road itself, and the histories of the most familiar roadside businesses are recounted here. More than 300 historical photographs provide fascinating documentation. |
Contents
Preface | 1 |
THE EARLY DAYS 19001919 | 24 |
THE FIRST GENERATION 19201945 | 55 |
THE GOLDEN AGE 19461969 | 137 |
THE INTERSTATE ERA 19702000 | 190 |
THE FUTURE | 206 |
Notes | 219 |
Other editions - View all
The American Highway: The History and Culture of Roads in the United States William Kaszynski No preview available - 2012 |
Common terms and phrases
AASHO advertising areas asphalt auto automobile became bill billboards Bottom bridges building built Bureau of Public bypassed California cars cement century concrete Congress Corporation courtesy Dairy Queen decades drivers early Eisenhower engine expressway Federal Highway FHWA filling station Ford freeway funds gas station gasoline highway construction highway system Holiday Holiday Inn Howard Johnson Ibid improved industry interstate highway Kentucky Fried Chicken Klemmons lanes Lincoln Highway located logo McDonald's Meramec Caverns Merritt Parkway miles million Missouri Mobil models modern motel motor motorists National Archives Oil Company opened Parkway Pennsylvania Turnpike percent Phillips Phillips 66 photo by author Pike planners Public Roads restaurants roadside roadway routes rural safety Shell signs speed Standard started Stuckey's Texaco Thruway Authority tion toll roads Toll-way tourist traffic Trail transportation trucks U.S. DOT/FHWA U.S. highways United urban USDOT vehicles Weingroff World York Thruway
References to this book
Exploring American History: From Colonial Times to 1877 Tom Lansford,Thomas E. Woods, Jr. Limited preview - 2007 |