On Jan. 14, Michael Wallis shared stories about his life, accomplishments, and study of the storied Route 66. He offered unique and magnificent stories on his beloved Route 66. He was warmly introduced by Ken Busby, executive director and CEO of the Route 66 Alliance, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the history of Route 66 and ensuring its bright future.
Michael Wallis was born in St. Louis, Mo., on Oct. 7, 1945, and is a co-founder of the Alliance. He is also a best-selling author and historian, having published 19 books, including the critically acclaimed “Route 66: The Mother Road” and “The Best Land Under Heaven.” He has been nominated for the Pulitzer Prize three times and has received numerous awards.
He has also been inducted into various Halls of Fame. Wallis’ voice was also featured in Pixar’s animated movie, “Cars,” representing the sheriff. In 2023, he was honored by President Joe Biden with the Presidential appointment to the Congressional Route 66 Centennial Commission, which focuses on identifying and recommending significant projects, events, and activities that promote and boost the preservation, tourism, and marketing of the Mother Road, as it is popularly referenced.
Route 66 and Michael Wallis seem to be very connected, as he mentioned, and whatever he does, it seems like it keeps calling him back. He said the stories about this road are literally hundreds. During the luncheon program, he shared two of them with the audience. He said the stories were very personal to him and would help us understand and highlight the importance of maintaining this “Main Street of America.”
Wallis remembered when he was leading tours down Route 66 for Harley Davidson, along with his wife, groups of around 2,500 bikers each time, driving across the entire route. On another tour, they were driving in an old bus. On the bus included a group with zero experience of the life and landscape of the route since they were coming from big cities and high-tech lives. On this particular tour, he was introduced to a young man who was inspired so greatly by the tour that from a predictable high-tech person, he became one who embraced the open road and its adventures.
In another story, he talked about a man named Paul Peeler, known as the road dancer of Western Oklahoma. He received his epithet because he enjoyed dancing with his wife, Nadaline, not on dancing floors, but on the asphalt. Even though that man’s life was hard and full of work, he managed to be playful and create lasting memories, dancing on Route 66 until his later years.
The noted author Wallis spoke about the storied thoroughfare in a way that gave us an understanding and a feeling that it is more than just an old highway. He said it is a part of America’s history, a road with character and feelings where people built their lives around it. He also encouraged us not to get disappointed by the mild inconveniences of this road while touring it. He said to those in the audience that each should try to find pleasure in its uniqueness and described it as having an evolving nature, which is what people need. This is portrayed by the mass appeal to foreign visitors who appreciate the unique signs and landmarks.
By the end of Wallis’ speech, he was asked several questions. Firstly, he was asked about the infamous Burma-Shave signs, where he explained their uniqueness and the power they hold. He also spoke about the armor-shaped signs that were used in the movie “Cars” and how they were so distinctively marked into the kids’ heads that when they would see them while doing the tour, would shout out of excitement that there was the scene where the movie was based upon these attractions.
Lastly, he expressed mixed feelings about the “Cry Baby” statue but acknowledged its importance.
In general, our brief interaction with him left us with the impression that he is an impressive man who will definitely keep Route 66 alive and running, especially as it will celebrate its centennial in 2026.