Sarah Ainley

Latest stories

  • The Ultimate Curveball: The Fascinating History of the Chain of Rocks Bridge

    Spanning the mighty Mississippi River, The Chain of Rocks Bridge connects St. Louis, Missouri with Madison, Illinois. Construction was completed in 1929 and immediately drew attention because of its unique engineering. Originally the bridge was planned as a straight, 40 foot wide road, across the river, but that was soon to change. Once construction started, […] More

  • Sedona’s Vortexes: The Most Mystical Place in America?

    There are sections of the Mother Road that are surreal, from another time, even David Lynch-esque in their flawed idealism. Veer towards Flagstaff, Arizona, and you’ll find yourself in a zone that feels otherworldly, yet deeply American at the same time. Claims of spiritual energy emanating from Sedona’s red rocks have drawn both tourists and […] More

  • It’s ‘Catsup’, Not Ketchup! World’s Largest Catsup Bottle Is In Illinois

    Before “ketchup” dominated American markets by the mid-20th century, the alternative spelling “catsup” was used by brands like Brooks Catsup. That’s why if you travel 2 miles off Route 66 to Collinsville, Illinois, you’ll find The World’s Largest Catsup Bottle. Standing over 170 feet tall, you may ask yourself, “is it really full of ketchup?” […] More

  • Two Guns, Arizona: Myths and Realities of a 66 Ghost Town

    Two Guns, Arizona is a ghost town located East of Flagstaff along the rim of Canyon Diablo. It’s abandoned now but it was once a tourist stop on Route 66. Tales of the Apache and Billy the Kid are told when one mentions Two Guns, but are these merely legends? Some even believe this stretch […] More

  • 100% Refrigerated Air: Blue Swallow Motel

    The Blue Swallow Motel is not your average motor lodge. Located in Tucumcari, New Mexico, the 12 unit motel has preserved almost all of its original features including pink stucco walls, a manager’s residence, and parking garages connected to each room. Details like these have landed The Blue Swallow on the National Register of Historic […] More

  • Rockin’ Down the DBH: The Polk-A-Dot Drive-In

    Head on down to Braidwood, Illinois to find the iconic Polk-A-Dot Drive-In on 66. Since the beginning, this roadside cafe has been like a shrine to mid 20th-century music and culture.  Here’s how it got started: 1956 was a flourishing time for many businesses along the Mother Road. President Eisenhower approved the Federal-Aid Highway Act […] More

  • Getaway Highway: Bonnie and Clyde’s Path to Infamy

    It’s the morning of April 13th, 1933. W.D. Jones and Clyde Barrow leave their Joplin, Missouri, garage apartment – presumably to pull off another job. Bonnie Parker and Blanche Barrow sit inside, and soon they hear the V8 Ford returning. The car is having engine problems. As W.D. and Clyde lower the garage door, police […] More