Topic: Books on Highway History (Read 4910 times)

edwaleni · « **on:** June 12, 2021, 02:01:43 PM »

Since history comes up a lot on AARoads posts, I would like to suggest a section on books.

Posts can include favorite reads on books, including tabletop picture books on highways.

If there is a more appropriate forum for this, just let me know. I searched and saw one on videos and other media, but I don't see that as the same.

Alps · « **Reply #1 on:** June 12, 2021, 04:37:38 PM »

Several years ago USDOT released a whole bunch of America's Highways 1776-1976 bicentennial books. I had it shipped to me at college and it's still on my shelf. A must-own.

Scott5114 · « **Reply #2 on:** June 12, 2021, 04:39:57 PM »

Don't know that there would be enough content to justify an entire board.

Max Rockatansky · « **Reply #3 on:** June 12, 2021, 06:18:42 PM »

Find a copy the September 1950 California Highways & Public Works. It’s not a book per se, but it might as well be given it is the Centennial Edition. The amount of road history is pertaining to stuff like the Sierra Nevada Mountains and early freeways is well worth a read.

Roadgeekteen · « **Reply #4 on:** June 12, 2021, 06:53:54 PM »

I think that just a thread on books would do.

edwaleni · « **Reply #5 on:** June 12, 2021, 07:54:58 PM »

Quote from: Scott5114 on June 12, 2021, 04:39:57 PM

Don't know that there would be enough content to justify an entire board.

I wasn't thinking an entire board, just a Forum subject.

People can create discussion threads on either the content covered in the book, or people can create threads on the books they have found recently.

Roadgeekteen · « **Reply #6 on:** June 12, 2021, 08:24:01 PM »

Quote from: edwaleni on June 12, 2021, 07:54:58 PM

Quote from: Scott5114 on June 12, 2021, 04:39:57 PM
Don't know that there would be enough content to justify an entire board.

I wasn't thinking an entire board, just a Forum subject.

People can create discussion threads on either the content covered in the book, or people can create threads on the books they have found recently.

Just create a thread on books. Or just start the thread in general highway talk.

hbelkins · « **Reply #7 on:** June 12, 2021, 10:35:49 PM »

I have never read William L.H. Moon's "Blue Highways." What am I missing?

Rothman · « **Reply #8 on:** June 12, 2021, 11:05:56 PM »

Quote from: hbelkins on June 12, 2021, 10:35:49 PM

I have never read William L.H. Moon's "Blue Highways." What am I missing?

Not much in terms of roadgeek info. Just a key book in American travel literature. Gets sort of repetitive in the last half.

oscar · « **Reply #9 on:** June 13, 2021, 08:08:03 PM »

Quote from: hbelkins on June 12, 2021, 10:35:49 PM

I have never read William L.H. Moon's "Blue Highways." What am I missing?

It's the story of an extended road trip, with some interesting tidbits and funny-named towns along the way. Most interesting one (and a useful caution I kept in mind on my latest trip) is about his getting stuck in deep snow in the mountains east of Cedar City UT. The road was marked as "may be closed in winter", but the author didn't know that winter can last until May there. I recall kurumi had a similar experience, except in his case the road closure began in the nearest town (I think Panguitch) so at least he didn't get stuck in the mountains. But my own trip across those mountains last month went off without a hitch.

kurumi · « **Reply #10 on:** June 13, 2021, 08:33:41 PM »

Quote from: oscar on June 13, 2021, 08:08:03 PM

Quote from: hbelkins on June 12, 2021, 10:35:49 PM
I have never read William L.H. Moon's "Blue Highways." What am I missing?

It's the story of an extended road trip, with some interesting tidbits and funny-named towns along the way. Most interesting one (and a useful caution I kept in mind on my latest trip) is about his getting stuck in deep snow in the mountains east of Cedar City UT. The road was marked as "may be closed in winter", but the author didn't know that winter can last until May there. I recall kurumi had a similar experience, except in his case the road closure began in the nearest town (I think Panguitch) so at least he didn't get stuck in the mountains. But my own trip across those mountains last month went off without a hitch.

You recall correctly. Corner of UT 143 (from Panguitch, which BTW is not US 89 :-)) and UT 148, our way forward, which had not been cleared and the snow was about 6 feet high.

oscar · « **Reply #11 on:** June 13, 2021, 09:10:50 PM »

Quote from: kurumi on June 13, 2021, 08:33:41 PM

You recall correctly. Corner of UT 143 (from Panguitch, which BTW is not US 89 :-)) and UT 148, our way forward, which had not been cleared and the snow was about 6 feet high.

I passed by there, and part of UT 148 was closed by snow. Fortunately, I took UT 143 from Parowan to US 89 in Panguitch, and wasn't counting on UT 148 being open.

BTW, the "This is Not US 89" sign in Panguitch seems to be gone.

US 89 · « **Reply #12 on:** June 13, 2021, 09:11:38 PM »

Quote from: oscar on June 13, 2021, 08:08:03 PM

Most interesting one (and a useful caution I kept in mind on my latest trip) is about his getting stuck in deep snow in the mountains east of Cedar City UT. The road was marked as "may be closed in winter", but the author didn't know that winter can last until May there. I recall kurumi had a similar experience, except in his case the road closure began in the nearest town (I think Panguitch) so at least he didn't get stuck in the mountains. But my own trip across those mountains last month went off without a hitch.

That's funny. General rule of thumb out here is most winter road closures are generally open by Memorial Day (or earlier if snow is well below average like it was this year). Clearly Moon wasn't too familiar with the inland west!

Hot Rod Hootenanny · « **Reply #13 on:** June 16, 2021, 02:17:27 AM »

kurumi · « **Reply #14 on:** June 16, 2021, 01:10:59 PM »

Quote from: Hot Rod Hootenanny on June 16, 2021, 02:17:27 AM

... And...roadgeeks favorite URL for books about roads: http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/wwtl

That URL might be the new roadgeek rickroll

Roadgeekteen · « **Reply #15 on:** June 16, 2021, 01:45:29 PM »

We all are supposed to hate Carl Rogers but are his books actually bad?

Hot Rod Hootenanny · « **Reply #16 on:** June 16, 2021, 02:38:03 PM »

Quote from: Roadgeekteen on June 16, 2021, 01:45:29 PM

We all are supposed to hate Carl Rogers but are his books actually bad?

I'm pretty sure nobody on here has purchase/seen any of Carl's books.

hbelkins · « **Reply #17 on:** June 16, 2021, 07:23:09 PM »

Quote from: Roadgeekteen on June 16, 2021, 01:45:29 PM

We all are supposed to hate Carl Rogers but are his books actually bad?

Best I can tell, they're just the pictures he put up on his site over the years. I've probably seen every Kentucky scene he has in the book, and likely have my own pictures of it. I know I have a video where the Little Green Shrub used to be.

D-Dey65 · « **Reply #18 on:** June 21, 2021, 08:30:23 PM »

How about we discuss books on roads that haven't been written yet? I'd like somebody to write a book on the Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike. I can't think of any others that need to be written, though. But when I do, I'll add it to the list.

I'm still a fan of "The War Against the Automobile," by B. Bruce Briggs.

Max Rockatansky · « **Reply #19 on:** June 21, 2021, 08:41:59 PM »

Quote from: kurumi on June 16, 2021, 01:10:59 PM

Quote from: Hot Rod Hootenanny on June 16, 2021, 02:17:27 AM
... And...roadgeeks favorite URL for books about roads: http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/wwtl

That URL might be the new roadgeek rickroll

Over $23 dollars for a book of highway shields I can go find and photograph myself?…lame.

Edit: I’m just really finding out about this guy, here is the Little Green Shrub song referenced above:

News:

Author Topic: Books on Highway History (Read 4910 times)