Imperfect Paradise: Route 66 has a 100-year legacy of American road trips and expansion, but the Main Street of America had its problems too

About this episode

The episode explores the legacy of Route 66, highlighting its significance in American history and its impact on Black migration during the Jim Crow era.

As Route 66 celebrates its centennial anniversary, we look back at its enduring impact as an iconic road that stretched from Illinois to California — and some of its darker past. It wasn’t just a mode of transportation for family road trips. The historic route was also a primary path for Black Americans to escape the South during the Jim Crow era, all while navigating around sundown towns. L.A. Explained Reporter Cato Hernandez joins Imperfect Paradise to discuss the significance of Route 66, its influence on California and its effect on Black migration to the West. Read more of Cato’s reporting  at LAist.com . Grow your business–no matter what stage you’re in. Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at SHOPIFY.COM/paradise Support for this podcast is made possible by Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live.

People in this episode

Guest: Cato Hernandez

Topics covered

• Route 66
• American road trips
• Black migration
• Jim Crow era
• historical impact
• sundown towns

Keywords

• Route 66
• American history
• Black migration
• Jim Crow
• sundown towns
• road trips
• California
• Illinois

Sponsors

Shopify

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: LAist

Books & works: Imperfect Paradise

Places: Illinois, California, South, West

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