Local Podcasts
There’s More to That from Smithsonian magazine: Amazing Stories of Route 66 Reflect the Twists and Turns of 100 Years of Americana
by
May 29, 2026
This episode chronicles the origin of the federal interstate system and how Route 66 fits into that history — before the massive tangle of highways and roads we know today were paved and packed with traffic.
During the Great Depression, route 66 helped migrants find their way to new jobs in the West. During World War II, it facilitated the transportation of munitions and armaments en route to the Pacific theater. Later, it became a busy thoroughfare for Americans wanting to explore their country. Storefronts, towns, gas stations, cafes and much more grew up along its edges. Then, as major interstates became the main byways for traveling Americans, Route 66 fell into obsolescence, becoming more a time capsule than roadway. Today, some of those roadside stops still exist, catering to tourists seeking a dose of unvarnished Americana.
WCNY’s Genevieve Sponsler is the executive producer of There’s More to That, which is produced by PRX Productions.
