Table of Contents
Bill Delaney Remembered
"Grapes Of Wrath" Banned in Kern County by Elise Palos
Nuggets from Needles by Maggie McShan
A Little Bunion by JoAnne Willis
Trash Train Heading for Amboy by Geoffrey Willis
Mitla Cafe by Jim Munding
Cowboy Artist on Old Trails by JoAnne Willis
Sagebrush Annies
Travel Advisory
Veterans Corner
Signs Go Up In West Hollywood
Sign Crusader
TRAVEL ADVISORY
All traffic on National Old Trails Highway (Route 66) is still being detoured onto I-40
between Essex and Kelbaker Roads in the California desert. Jim Dibles, Needles District
Supervisor, Department of Transportation, San Bernardino County, reports that the road
closure is now estimated to continue for up to l l/2 more years. Classified as a Federal
Artery Collector road (Major Highway), the county and the state are pursuing federal
funding to replace the bridge at Essex, the reason for the closure. However, their first
meeting over this is not until July '95, the start of their fiscal year. Originally the
county hoped that a bridge repair project lasting about 90 days would bring the bridge up
to state inspection standards. Now it will be at least one year before replacement of the
bridge will begin, if the federal funds are available. If not, the county will have to
tear out the bridge and replace it with a road dip. Other old bridges along the route in
the desert may face similar problems in the not too distant future.
VETERANS CORNER
November l1 is the anniversary of Route 66. but is better known to Americans as
Veterans Day. And needless to say so many 66'ers are veterans and have survived incredible
experiences. Veterans Corner acknowledges their service. In this issue we congratulate
CHR66A member Bill Hewson.
Bill Hewson has just returned from Pensacola,. Florida, where he not only met with many
of his shipmates, but those from other ships who participated in the greatest sea battle
of World War II. The Battle of Leyte Gulf. Hewson was part of Taffy III which had a
significant role in the preservation of General MacArthur's return to the Philippines.
While in Florida, Hewson was honored three times with two plaques, one for "A
Nation Pays Tribute and Salutes You" (to all attendees) and received one "In
Testimony And Tribute" in recognition for long hours toiled without complaint in
helping to orchestrate this historic reunion of 780 service men. These awards were signed
by Admiral J. M. Boorda, Chief of Naval Operations, and John H. Dalton, Secretary of the
Navy. Hewson had the Philippine Liberation Medal pinned on his lapel by an adjutant from
the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. Hewson stated "He was happy to make a
triumphant return to Ontario, California."
SIGNS GO UP IN
WEST HOLLYWOOD
Saturday, September 10, 1994 was a bright day for Route 66 in the City of West
Hollywood. City planning commissioner James Litz organized a dedication ceremony for the
posting of three new Historic Route 66 signs, the first to go up west of Los Angeles since
1992. On hand for the occasion were Laitz, Mayor Abbe Land, Councilman Sal Guarriello, Aid
For Aids president Eric Weber, and CHR66A President and Vice-president Geoffrey and JoAnne
Willis, all of whom spoke to the crowd. Gary Carr and Mark Taylor of Great Autos of
Yesteryear, put together an impressive display of vintage cars on the median of Santa
Monica Boulevard just east of San Vicente Boulevard. They also gave a brief address.
In his remarks before the unveiling, Geoffrey Willis retraced the systematic
disappearance of the original Route 66 sign, section by section across America. Oddly
enough, this began on Santa Monica Boulevard thirty years ago in 1964. In describing the
efforts to resign the road, he recalled a New Mexico highway official asking, "How
can so many people get attached to two numbers?" Willis replied that important
developments in the history and growth of our country are closely tied to the Mother Road.
Among these are the Dust Bowl Migration of the 1930's, troop movements over 66 during
World War II, and the blossoming of America's love affair with the automobile in the post
war 40's and 50's. "I wonder how many tourists stopped in at the Formosa Cafe hoping
to catch a glimpse of some movie star grabbing a bite to eat?" Willis closed saying,
"By posting these signs you are literally staking your claim to one of the most
significant icons of the American experience."
The next day, Great Autos of Yesteryear put on a full scale car show two blocks away to
benefit Aid For Aids. The Historic Route 66 sign was prominently displayed throughout the
show. Congratulations to West Hollywood for getting into the "Spirit of 66!"
SIGN CRUSADER
CHR66A member Danny Castro is a one man crusader, buying and installing Historic Route
66 signs. Danny works for the Department of Transportation in the San Bernardino County
Traffic & Engineering Department. Besides his own expertise and labor, he recruited
official sign installer for the County, Hank Matus, to erect signs on Old 66 in the
beautiful Cajon area three weeks before the September San Bernardino Route 66 Rendezvous.
In order to deter theft, their goal was to rivet, bolt, weld and cement to the hilt to
make these signs so hard to steal that doing so would damage them badly. Danny kept vigil.
but three weeks later all three sets were gone At each spot there were at least six broken
hack saw blades on the ground. It was obvious that ultimately they were taken by use of
expensive power saw equipment cutting through the poles.
Danny has had better luck with some signs he's installed (sometimes behind barbed wire
fences) on private property like at the Rebel Feed Store on Cajon Boulevard and at Simon
Equipment Rentals on 17th Street in San Bernardino. He also posted them in time for the
Rendezvous at Mitla Cafe, 6th & Mt. Vernon. and one on E Street, the business route in
San Bernardino.
Despite all the frustrating theft problems. Danny is determined to keep putting signs
up!
Elsewhere, Justice Bros. Co. in Glendora replaced their sign, Ford of Upland had theirs
stolen recently. Good luck West Hollywood!
It's ironic that while these signs are erected with pride, they are stolen with
irreverence.
NUGGETS FROM NEEDLES
By Maggie McShan
If "The Roads" could speak, what stories they would tell! There would be
tales of untamed wilderness through which a narrow track snaked westward as the railroad
advanced, a vital avenue for passage of the animal and human power that built the
embankments and laid the steel rails. Lost are the stories of nearly all those people. We
must rely upon old photos, relics, and a few fading memories.
Among the amenities that came with "The Roads" and eventually expired with
changes in transportation were the Harvey Houses along the Santa Fe Railway. Some books
and a movie have made the elegant facilities fairly well known. They tell how a
partnership between an Englishman named Fred Harvey and the Santa Fe Railway created a
series of hotel/restaurants all along the line from Chicago to Los Angeles, a meal apart.
But there have been few personal accounts from the people who worked there.
"Friends of El Garces" is an organization recently formed in Needles for
restoration of our grand old building here. The City Council has recently voted to apply
for a $350,000 transportation grant. If received, the money will be used to acquire the
property, secure it against vandalism, and begin studies. Much larger amounts will be
needed for restoration, but the process is started.
It seemed an appropriate time to honor some of those survivors who worked in El Garces,
so a search began by the Museum and El Garces committee for Harvey Girls, those cultured
and well trained young ladies who gracefully served meals and tamed the west. At first
only four or five were known, but seventeen came forward. They were special guests at a
reception and dinner held on Saturday, October 22, 1994. Events began with a tour of
Needles Museum and finished with dinner and program at the Women's Club. Honorees related
memories of superb training accompanied by stern behavior monitoring by a head waitress
named Blanche. They earned from $17.50 to $25 per month along with free room and board,
uniforms and laundry. In early times, young women were recruited throughout the US and
some foreign countries, but in the later days of El Garces, some high school girls were
hired. They remembered strict instructions to serve with dignity and never, never to flirt
with male patrons. Even smiling at them could bring a scolding from Blanche. Despite the
rules, romance blossomed in brief spans of free time and most married railroad men. A Few
married soldiers during the war years.
Gifts to the honorees included a plaque of El Garces, with special artwork on the back
by Bob Waldmire of Hackberry, AZ. These specially made items for El Garces are available
for a $15 donation. Order from Needles Museum and send $3 extra for postage.
Other gifts included proclamations from the City of Needles plus attractive pins
donated by Mike Siakooles of Buckles By Mike.
One visitor filmed the Harvey Girls along the Front Street portion of old Route 66 with
El Garces in the background. Exhibits of old photos were viewed and promises made to send
copies. A replica of a Harvey Girl uniform adorned a mannekin and table decorations
included small figurines made by Margaret George. Posters of the Judy Garland movie were
sent thanks to Virginia O'Brien who played Alma in the show.
Pauline Cameron, now 87, was one of the star guests. She had worked at El Garces, then
married and raised her family here. Her name came to light when her grandchildren visited
Needles Museum and were told of the event. Pauline spoke fondly of her time at El Garces.
Speakers including Bill Claypool and Mayor Roy Mills spoke with nostalgia of the Harvey
House and said its' demise marked the end of a cultured era, greatly missed.
BILL DELANEY REMEMBERED
"Bill Delaney taught me that the real history of the US and other countries is not
always as Obvious as a picture. It's deep in the picture, the minor details that are the
real story tellers. The real history and beauty are in the little things we tend to
overlook in today's busy and technologically advanced world."
Bill Delaney, who passed away in July, was a tireless Route 66 enthusiast and one of
the early "road warriors" in the cause of revitalizing the road in the 1980s and
90s. The quotes appearing here are remembrances written by members of his family.
Bill came to California in 1959 with his family by car. After making that long road
trip from New York, I think the fascination with Route 66 began. Being in the advertising
and printing business with his family for most of his life, publishing Desert Life
Magazine was one of his first true personal ambitions in that field. After moving to the
high desert area in 1981, he started that dream.
He loved the openness of the desert with its' never ending stretches of highway leading
to who knew where. He would spend days at a time on the road and had a great curiosity to
find lost stories and places that had been forgotten by time.
He began to contact Route 66 associations in other states and started the Route 66
Travel Guide. He was always inquiring about trips that auto clubs were taking along the
route, constantly thinking of new items to produce to help gain public interest in the
highway."
"Bill had a desire to have a Route 66 Visitor Center, but finding the ideal
location almost did him in. Then Rick Byers, who had worked with Rick previously, took
over Barstow's El Rancho Hotel again. They saw the interest of tourists world-wide, and
Rick enabled Bill to open his Visitor Center in Room 66 of the El Rancho. In July of '94,
his health failing, Bill had been open barely two weeks when God decided enough was
enough.
Seeing the interest and traffic starting, Rick Byers not only took over the Visitor
Center, but moved it to a larger location next to the main office. There one can see
Bill's artwork and much of his collected memorabilia."
"Bill Delaney's love of history was one thing you couldn't miss if you spent five
minutes with him, especially his desire to learn all he could about Route 66. It was
always inspiring to us to see how hard he was working to bring Route 66 back to life in
word and pictures here in the 90s."
"He enjoyed the challenge of obtaining knowledge that stories and information from
traveling the highway gave him. He tried to give us all some 'Keepsakes of Today' from
what he enjoyed, America's favorite highway".
Editor's Note: Rick Byers plans to have a plaque honoring Bill Delaney at the Route 66
Visitor Center, El Rancho Hotel.
Thanks from the CHR66A to Birdenne and Kevin Delaney (wife and son), Elmer and Mona
Dahlstrom (father and mother-in-law), and Kathy Anderson (stepdaughter) for their
contributions to this article.
"GRAPES OF WRATH"
BANNED IN KERN COUNTY
By Elise Palos
From time to time, it is encouraging to get calls from students such as Ann Lee of
Sacramento, who won second place in a History Day competition for her Route 66 project. It
consisted of a model Wigwam with tape recordings inside and history and maps on the
outside pertaining to the whole route.
We learned about a very significant contribution to the recording of Route 66 history
in California made by Elise Palos. Her winning paper was printed in Californian Historian
June 1994.
We thank them for permission to reprint this article.--The Editor.
In the 1993 State level competition in History Day in California, the author received
the prestigious Heilbron Award given to the California Historical Society for this paper.
In addition she was the CCHS second place winner in senior papers. At the time she was a
junior at East Bakersfield High School.
When John Steinbeck's novel The Grapes of Wrath was published in 1939, it caused an
uproar in this nation. The inside cover of the novel states, "It electrified an
America still convalescing ideas that many people were, at the least, uncomfortable with
this electricity caused the Kern County Board of Supervisors to ban the book in the
county's public schools and libraries on August 22, 1939."
The Grapes of Wrath was mostly set in Kern County, California and illustrated the
"corporate landowners"' cruelty towards the "exploited agricultural
workers. These agricultural workers were usually derogatorily called "Okies,"
because most of them had migrated from Oklahoma. Others came from Arkansas, Kansas, and
New Mexico. After the years of drought in the area that became known as the Dust Bowl and
after they were thrown off their land, these farmers moved to California to start a new
life, hoping to own their land. However, their luck was not as large as their hope and
many were left homeless and unemployed.
According to Steinbeck's novel, this was because the California landowners barely paid
the workers enough to live on. Apparently, this offended some of Kern County's citizens,
especially the Associated Farmers of Kern County. They completely supported the Board of
Supervisors' resolution that stated the novel "misrepresented conditions in the
county and the whole San Joaquin Valley and blamed the local farmers for the plight of the
indigent farmers. The group also solicited other organizations in the valley for support.
W.B. Camp, a prominent rancher of the time and president of the Associated Farmers, said
that his organization would "fight to remove the 'smear' on the good name of Kern,
the state of California and agriculture.
Despite the denials of those who felt they were falsely portrayed by Steinbeck, there
are those who were there that say it is true. When asked by Kathi Durham on March 9, 1981
if Steinbeck's portrayal of the treatment of the farm workers was accurate. Eua1 Murmduke
Stone said, "Oh, they treated them like dogs, they was treated like dogs. They only
wanted them to get their crops picked." Stone could be considered an
"Okie," since he moved from Oklahoma to California in 1929. Also, Mary DeArmond,
a Bakersfield High and East Bakersfield High School teacher from 1938 to 1943, stated.
"It (The Grapes of Wrath) was all true.
Even though the Associated Farmers and the Board of Supervisors couldn't get the unfair
and untrue rap to stick, they tried to convince the county they were banning The Grapes of
Wrath because of the book's obscenity. W.B. Camp explained. "We are angry, not
because we were attacked but because we were attacked by a book obscene in the extreme
sense of the word..." Kern County supervisor Stanley Abel defended the board by
saying on August 28, 1939, "The book was banned because of the filth that is in it.
True, there were "dirty words" throughout the book, as most people would call
them today but the characters in this novel were not exactly the most refined and
educated. Besides, didn't the board's resolution banning the book state that it
misrepresented conditions in the county? Which one was the true, motivating reason'?
Whether or not the book stated untruths or was obscene, there were many Kern County
residents who believed the ban was a threat to the first amendment, including
organizations like the National Council of Freedom from Censorship and the American Civil
Liberties Union (ACLU). Raymond W. Henderson, representative of the Kern County
branch of the ACLU, did not believe The Grapes of Wrath should be given to school
children and that the ACLU wasn't interested in the truth of the book, but said,
"What we do protest is a public board setting itself up as a board of censorship in
violation of the first amendment of the federal Constitution.(l2) Vernon Bell, a Kern
County resident during the ban, declared when asked about The Grapes of Wrath,
"Censorship is a threat to our way of American life.(l3)
Finally, after a year and a half, the Kern County Board of Supervisors unanimously
voted to cancel the ban in January of 1941.(14) However, the book wasn't allowed to be
used in the Kern High School District until 1972, when Bell requested to teach it to his
classes at East Bakersfield High School.(l5) Now it is taught every year. Hopefully, Kern
County students and others will now understand what it was like to truthfully be an
"Okie" in California, despite the once strong protests of the landowners.
Steinbeck did us all a great favor by communicating the truth.
The Grapes of Wrath has come a long way in Kern County. It is now ironic to think what
once left a bitter taste in California's mouth, became "the most popular book in
America."(l6) Some critics call it "...the greatest fictional work of a
generation."(l7) It just goes to show, censorship can't stop an
"electrifying" novel.
- 1. John Steinbeck, jacket notes, The Grapes of Wrath, (New York: Viking Press, 1939)
inside cover.
- 2. "Literary Calendar," Wilson Library Bulletin October. 1939: l02.
- 3. Samuel Sillen. "Censoring The Grapes of Wrath," A Casebook of The Grapes of
Wrath, ed. Agnes McNeill Donehue (New York: Crowell, 1968) 6.
- 4. Eual Murmduke Stone, interview, The Grapes of Wrath in Kern County, with Kathi Durham
(Bakersfield: Bakersfield College. 1982) 7-8
- 5. Bakersfield Californian 22 August, 1939.
- 6. "Literary Calendar," Wilson Library Bulletin October. 1939: 120.
- 7. "Support of 'Grapes' Ban is Urged by Farmers' Group," Bakersfield
Californian 22 August, 1939.
- 8. Mary DeArmond, personal interview, 7 March. 1993.
- 9. "Support of 'Grapes' Ban is Urged by Farmers' Group," Bakersfield
Californian 22 August, 1939.
- 10. "Board Holds Hearings on Grapes of Wrath Ban," Bakersfield Californian 28
August, 1939.
- 11. "Literary Calendar," Wilson Library Bulletin October, 1939: 102.
- 12. "Liberties Union to Protest Book Ban," Bakersfield Californian 23 August,
1939.
- 13. Vernon Bell, personal interview, 25 February, 1993.
- 14. Bakersfield Californian 27 January, 1941.
- 15. Vernon Bell, personal interview, 25 February, 1993.
- 16. "Literary Calendar," Wilson Library Bulletin October, 1939: 102.
- 17. "'Grapes of Wrath' to be Filmed as Storm Rages on Accuracy," Bakersfield
Californian 22 August. 1939.
A LITTLE BUNION
by JoAnne Willis
1992 was the 66th anniversary of Route 66, but 1994 was the 66th anniversary of the
Bunion Derby, a runners' race designed to draw attention to Route 66. The idea, like the
origin of the route itself, came out of Oklahoma.
In the spring of 1928, the starting line of this grueling race was Los Angeles. It was
so well publicized that there were even a few runners from Europe. Obviously, many fell
out. For one Italian fellow it wasn't getting burnt in the desert or the
"bunion" related problems. it was a toothache that finally did him in.
Hard to believe, but the race didn't stop in Chicago. It took an easterly jog with the
finish line in New York. Fifty-five runners completed 3,422.3 miles. Much pride goes with
saying that Andy Payne, an Oklahoma boy, was the winner.
In 1994 one state carried the Bunion Derby spirit even if it was just "a little
bunion!" On October 8, '94, Kansas did it - all 13.2 miles of their stretch of Route
66! In fact, Kansas 66 president, Scott Nelson said it was a half a marathon because
technically a marathon is about 26 miles. Scott said they had a party in Joplin, Missouri
the eve of the race with everyone celebrating author Michael Wallis; birthday. Wallis,
author of Route 66 The Mother Road with wife Suzanne shot the gun to start the race at the
MO/KS line. Classic cars lead the way. It was drizzling that morning, which the runners
reported was ideal. There were water stops and an ambulance to pull up the rear. The
thirty participants received T-shirts and goody bag. Fine walnut plaques for winning were
given in three categories; Relay Team, Men's, and Women's Divisions. A four person relay
calling themselves the "Cream Team" won from Joplin, MO, coming in at l hr. 10
mins. 34 secs. In the Men's, Eldon McPeak of Joplin in 1 hr. 27 mins. 37 secs. ln the
Women's, Mollie Slominski, also from Joplin, in at 1 hr. 44 mins. 53 secs. A special award
went to the youngest runner, 13 yr. old James Day at 2 Hrs., 8 mins., 10 secs. He was from
Joplin, too.
Scott Nelson said it was fun and such a success that it's already on for October 7,
1995 with another birthday celebration for Michael Wallis. This time, high carbohydrate
food fare will start things off right.
TRASH TRAIN
HEADING FOR AMBOY
By Geoffrey Willis
Pictured below is the Amboy Crater, a natural landmark of the Mojave Desert and
Historic Route 66 Vintage Post Card (courtesy of Richard Amadori).
Now imagine a neighboring mountain twice as high (400 feet), one mile wide and three
miles long built out of trash and garbage in amounts of up to 21,000 tons a day. If a
private venture called Rail Cycle has its' way, we can soon stop imagining and witness the
creation of this "unnatural wonder" first hand. Formally called the Bolo Station
Landfill, the finished project would stand as one of the largest man made structures in
the world. Obviously, this is not a landfill in the true sense, but a massive garbage
heap.
Landfills have long been an unhappy fact of life in our urbanized, convenience oriented
society. However, new technologies are becoming available for the disposal of solid waste
by converting it into usable construction and compost materials. New methods for
reutilizing existing landfills and bringing them into compliance with today's
environmental standards are also an option, one at Eagle Mountain (former Kaiser Steel
Mine) or Gold Field Imperial Rail Project are two. Beyond this, there are significant
reasons why the Amboy site should be avoided for this garbage dump (landfill?).
1 ) Possible contamination of ground water: Plastic liners used in landfills are well
known for breaking down over time, sometimes when brand new. The Bolo Station dump is a 60
to 100 year project, easily enough time for the bottom liner to deteriorate. If water
enters through the top of the (finished) mound, it will cause regeneration of dry garbage
buried within, thus creating leachate. The leachate seeps to the bottom and into the
groundwater through the decayed bottom liner. Although the plans describe an extensive
system of sump pumps, monitoring wells and evaporation ponds for the control of leachate,
the fact remains that a large reservoir of clean groundwater exists nearby which is
currently used by growers in the area and represents an excellent future source of
drinking water for Southern California. Would you build an outhouse next to a well?
2) Possible Medfly infestation: Being as untreated garage would be hauled from Los
Angeles County, Medfly larvae could be transported to an environment where no such problem
currently exists. Most of us have seen signs along our freeways warning us not to move
backyard fruit so as not to unwittingly spread Medfly larvae. Isn't Rail Cycle the
antithesis of these control efforts?
3) Significant increase in air pollution: The San Bernardino County Board of
Supervisors admits to a significant and unavoidable impact on air quality in the region
due to increased emissions from trucks, trains and heavy equipment necessary to operate
the "landfill". Volatile organic compounds including wind driven particles of
waste and gasses produced as a result of leachate are also potential components in the
degradation of air quality. Traffic backups at rail crossings contribute as well. These
concerns supposedly will be mitigated with the paving of existing dirt roads to be used,
the spraying of water and/or chemical dust retardant and use of daily cover over compacted
in place waste. The daily cover will soon be ineffective. however, when the operation goes
to a 24 hour mode and some amount of waste is exposed to the elements on a continuing
basis. Landfill gasses will initially be burned off with flares and as the project
matures, a gas turbine and then a steam boiler will be installed to use these gasses to
produce electricity, for example. However, the Desert Environmental Response Team (DERT)
reports that "The combustion products of this gas has just been declared to be
deleterious to health by the EPA. Steam boilers and gas turbines require large fuel inputs
to be cost effective. They also emit rather large air pollution loads into the
atmosphere."
4) Negative scenic impact: The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors states that
the project "is not within the viewshed of a scenic highway." The CHR66A board
of trustees finds this assertion particularly offensive. One of the primary missions of
our association is the preservation and promotion of old Route 66 as an historic and
scenic highway. The serenity and sweeping beauty of the Mojave Desert is most easily
enjoyed from a two lane road where opportunities abound to pull over and leave your car to
take pictures, walk around, and otherwise appreciate your surroundings. Numerous points of
historic interest also exist and Roy's Cafe in Amboy is a major stop. Located just one
mile south of Route 66 at Amboy, the Bolo Station dump is definitely within the view shed.
The Board of Supervisors does not regard National Old Trails Highway as scenic simply
because it was never developed with turnouts and interpretive plaques and markers. These
are under consideration as long range goals for the road, however. Tourist traffic over
Historic Route 66 increases every year, and the construction of an enormous mountain of
waste is not one of the points of interest we want to see included.
5) Numerous other factors negatively impacting the present quality of the environment
such as noise pollution, illumination of the night sky, accelerated use of land and water
resources, etc. have been summarily dismissed along with the above mentioned four by Rail
Cycle as subordinate to the project benefits in a statement of overriding considerations
presented to the Planning Commission. They project as much as 268 million dollars over the
life of the project in mitigation fees paid directly to the county. They anticipate as
much as four times that amount in money spent within the county over the same period and
increases in local job opportunities as well. With such "visions of sugarplums"
put before their eyes, arguing in opposition to this project is undoubtedly an uphill
battle. Project proponents may not appreciate objections coming from outside San
Bernardino County either. However, this "landfill" is being promoted as a
solution to the waste disposal problems of Southern California in general. Thus, all of us
have the right to be heard.
The prospect of one of the largest manmade structures in the world being a mountain of
waste does not speak well of the human race. That our largely unspoiled Mojave Desert is
being promoted as a dumping ground is just as distressing. Over the course of three days
at the Route 66 Rendezvous in San Bernardino and one day at the Helendale Rendezvous, our
association collected l86 signatures on a petition opposing Rail Cycle. We urge the defeat
of this proposal and encourage the pursuit of updated methodology for the processing of
refuse to its' least damaging form to any environment.
If you oppose Rail Cycle regarding the Amboy dump, make your view known by writing to:
Mr. John Mikels, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, San Bernardino County. 385 North
Arrowhead Avenue, San Bernardino, CA 92415-0182. If you wish to learn more about the risks
the Bolo Station project poses to the Amboy/Cadiz area or how to get more actively
involved in opposing it, write to: Desert Environmental Response Team, Attention Ray
Kirkharn, 7424 Morningstar Road. Twenty Nine Palms, CA 92277, or call (760) 367-1973.
MITLA CAFE
By Jim Munding
Wouldn't it be great to step back into time and enjoy an authentic Mexican breakfast,
lunch or dinner along Route 66?
Well the MITLA CAFE has been serving great food since 1937, where tacos used to be 10
cents, and continues today to be one of San Bernardino's favorite spots.
The cafe was founded by Lucia Rodriquez and has remained in the same family ever since.
Irene Montano is currently the owner and is extremely proud of her employees and the great
Mexican food that they serve.
Irene said "The Mitla used to be open 24 hours a day during the 1940's. Hollywood
celebrities such as Pat O'Brien and Rosemary Clooney and Mexican movie star Tico Guizar
were regulars. This was a real busy Route 66 Place." Today regulars included State
Senator Rubin Aiella, Assemblyman Joe Bacca, Congressman George Brown and local government
officials. Prior to becoming the owner, Irene Montano was a waitress there for 15 years.
Theresa Guillen has been a waitress at the Mitla for over 54 years and remembers Route
66 as being loaded with people night and day. She is Rodriquez's daughter and started
working there as a teenager.
The Mitla Cafe recently received an award from Danny Castro of the CHR66A that proudly
hangs in the cafe. Along with this award, he also posted an historic Route 66 road sign
outside the Cafe visible in both directions.
Worth a visit? I think so! After all, where can you still visit an authentic Route 66
original, a famous hangout, and receive great food at a reasonable price ! And the
atmosphere is definitely "Route 66."
Their hours are Tues.-Thurs. 9-2:30, 4:30-8 Fri. & Sat. 9-9, Sun. 9-8, Closed
Monday.
COWBOY ARTIST
ON OLD TRAILS
By JoAnne Willis
When driving 66 headed east and 7th Street in Victorville takes a sharp curve becoming
National Old Trails Highway, the railroad is on the right of you and you're in Oro Grande
now, but it's when the railroad jumps to the left of the road that you start to feel like
you're finally "out there" in the desert. Dwellings now take on that country
look and things abandoned have been so "forever", anything standing, stands
alone and can easily be missed in the dark, including the local's bar, a wooden shack
called "The Lost Hog". This is the territory of a most interesting member, a
genuine cowboy and artist, Bill Bender.
For the recent Helendale Rendezvous, Bill was captain of a local historic bus tour. As
everyone walked to the bus it was clear who the guide was. This man in his 70s is tall and
slender with a vertical posture that defies gravity and spryness that doesn't match his
years. He wore Sunday Levis, a sharp red shirt and a tall tan cowboy hat above his blue
eyed wire rims. Under his arm was a stack of his unframed canvas watercolors. He used them
to show us the way things were; different dwellings and characters juxtaposed what's left
today. Due to his professional status we were surprised that he let everyone pass the
paintings around, but more surprising was the way he held his balance on a moving bus!
(Bill says it might have something to do with riding freight trains during the
depression.) We learned about Christine Love, now deceased, her portrait, a cloaked figure
walking across the desert with gunny sacks for shoes. Among structures in varying stages
of decline was The White Orange, once a 24 hour cafe, a chalk mill operation, and the
favorite, former Sage Brush Inn, more affectionately referred to as Sagebrush Annie's for
the colorful old gal who owned it.
On a recent phone call to Bill, it was not surprising to hear that he was working on a
Christmas card for Leanin' Tree, Inc., a greeting card company that he has worked with for
years. Bill's subjects in watercolors and oils reflect western life from his cowboy
perspective.
As you might guess, a cowboy's life isn't much like the movies, he relates. lt can be
very boring, the diet should kill you, and boils are no fun. Levis were never preshrunk,
so being way too long, you'd stretch out in the first "crick". It would ride
your jeans but your legs turned blue from the dye. Bill says the best jobs were on the
smallest ranches 'cause the food's good when you get to eat with the boss and his wife.
The wife often sent him out with a quart jug of cream on his saddle and after being
jostled all day, they now had butter.
A real cowboy thinks a rodeo is a "freak show", but Bill did some rodeos
'cause it was a chance to swap tall tales with cowboy friends. and have a wild time on the
town!
I asked Bill if he had any photos of himself from that period, but he said no one
thought to take pictures then. However, he worked as an extra in a few western films and
got close to having one when he and a girlfriend saw his photo behind the glass with
publicity posters at the movie theater. They asked the owner if they could have it, and
when he refused they decided to help themselves but got caught and had to flee.
Bill didn't consider himself a roper, his thing was to break horses. It was finally a
bad kick in the belly that did him in. For a long time he lived on milk and orange juice
that would make it curdle on the way down. This pivoted his life toward writing, his first
choice, and the illustrations for his writing started his transition into painting.
In 1949 he was camping near adobe Indian dwellings in peaceful Death Valley when
literally thousands of cars invaded. Unbeknownst to him, it was a '49ers Pageant with
actor Jimmy Stewart presiding. Art shows became a part of the Pageant and gradually Bill
not only displayed there, but was on the Board of Directors for this annual event.
While his injury classified him 4F during the 40s, in the 60s he served with the Air
Force as a combat artist in Vietnam. Later he did a series of paintings in Pensacola,
Florida for the Navy Cadet Training Program where he rode in single props and even with
the Blue Angels. He has an honorary Tail Hook Airdales certificate for being with pilots
landing on carriers. I asked what became of these paintings from the services? It's hard
to know as it was all donated (in exchange for the experience) and thus circulates in
government facilities. But in the 60s on a D.C. trip, he learned that one painting was in
President Lyndon Johnson's White House residence and another in a military general's
office.
For years Bill was on the art show circuit (always by invitation) and always on the go,
flying often accompanied by wife, Helen. But in 1980 he pulled the stops on so many
extended commitments and has been content with a steady stream of clients.
It should be noted that back in 1960, a book titled Painters of the Desert featured
different western artists. Bill is Chapter l3 and is the only artist surviving today. The
book is out of print and currently worth $375.00.
But Bill is a lot more than a chapter in a book. He's a great "show and
teller" to the school kids in Helendale. Out of his '54 Ford pickup comes a
wheelbarrow of "junk" which may be cowboy or Indian implements or even Route 66
mementos. In September he made coloring books filled with illustrations to teach kids
local history. Helen Bender works at the school too, making use of her ability to speak
Spanish.
Bill plans to make it to 100. He says he has to, because he has so much to do. He's
embarking on a third career-- his fondness never lost for writing.
SAGEBRUSH ANNIE'S
Refer to Summer '94 issue of Roadsigns for cover photo of former Sage Brush Inn
a.k.a. Sagebrush Annie's as it looks today, juxtaposed Bill Bender's 1957 watercolor when
it was a Texaco station (see photo filename Annie's.gif).
Back to its natural stone color; it's been painted white, Annie painted it bright red,
and it appeared to be more sandstone colored in a 1970's photo in Michael Wallis' Route
66, The Mother Road, page 220.
Once owned by George and Elizabeth Seibert, the name Sagebrush Annie stuck on Elizabeth
about the time of an old Wallace Beery movie called Tugboat Annie.
Some of Bill's anecdotes about "Annie": She let her husband know from the
start that she would never cook. There was one exception. On the day an ambulance came for
George, she asked if he'd like breakfast. She fixed him two eggs and toast, and as you
might guess, it was his last meal!
Annie was a spittin' kind of gal and when her dress got dirty, she turned it inside out
for longer wear. If Bill and Helen Bender didn't go over for coffee every morning, Annie
would bring it over to them, whether they wanted it or not. After waddling across the
highway with it, it would be half gone and, of course, she expected them to pay for it.
After George died, Annie had three male cooks in succession. One of them actually knew
how to cook! She smoked Lucky Strikes 'til she died of a mere cold in her 90's.
The former gas station cafe and bar is currently a private residence, but local 66ers
will most likely call this landmark Sagebrush Annie's.
