Historic US Route 17
Posted by Simon
In small towns all across California, Arizona and New Mexico there are celebrations of Route 66.
While driving on I40 and seeing all of this local commercial activity I thought about where it could be reproduced.
What about US Route 17. It runs from Maine to Florida it was at one time one of the most important roads in America and it is all been replaced by Interstate 95.
Historic Route 17 can easily become the next Route 66.
This is an opportunity for geegaw producers, graphic artists and small gift shop proprietors. If I lived on or near where the historic route ran I’d join or start a Route 17 historical society, get some nice graphics going and start selling “Route 17 The Orange Highway” memorabilia. There is already some literature about it. Praying for Sheetrock for example.
Diners and Station Wagons on Historic Route 17
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March 4th, 2013 at 8:44 am
Here is a link to someone who is doing exactly what this post is talking about: http://www.us17coastalhighway.com/
March 4th, 2013 at 7:30 pm
Hello! I’m so glad you came across US 17 Coastal Highway – it’s an amazing stretch of road, racing through some amazingly beautiful places. I read “Praying for Sheetrock” years ago and remember being enamored by the beginning, where they talk about the women walking paths from their homes to the side of the road, where they would weave their baskets. Now I live on the Sweetgrass Basket Makers Highway (US 17) and hope that I can help, in some small way, preserve what is so wonderful about the road. My goal is to make it a heritage trail – the entire stretch of highway. Thanks again!
March 5th, 2013 at 9:40 am
US 17 thanks for the comment. I can’t do much to help you succeed at the growth of the coast highway as a historic site. But I can see that it will happen. Sweetgrass baskets are one of the last true American crafts. My suggestion: food festivals, cars shows featuring station wagons and motor cycle rallies.