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- Pennant, "World's Greatest Miniature Village, Hamburg, Pa.," 1935-1940 - Pennsylvanian Laurence Gieringer (1893-1963) built detailed miniature villages and model train displays. In 1935, word spread about his handiwork and displays were set up in his home town. Gieringer moved into larger accommodations and eventually settled along the busy highway to attract passing motor tourists. Gieringer's Roadside America continues to draw in visitors who marvel at his vision and craftsmanship.
- 1935-1940
- Collections - Artifact
Pennant, "World's Greatest Miniature Village, Hamburg, Pa.," 1935-1940
Pennsylvanian Laurence Gieringer (1893-1963) built detailed miniature villages and model train displays. In 1935, word spread about his handiwork and displays were set up in his home town. Gieringer moved into larger accommodations and eventually settled along the busy highway to attract passing motor tourists. Gieringer's Roadside America continues to draw in visitors who marvel at his vision and craftsmanship.
- Roadside Picnic, circa 1930 - Motorists taking long trips often packed their own meals. This photograph shows a family stopped alongside the road having a meal and using a tree stump as a table.
- circa 1930
- Collections - Artifact
Roadside Picnic, circa 1930
Motorists taking long trips often packed their own meals. This photograph shows a family stopped alongside the road having a meal and using a tree stump as a table.
- Pennsylvania Turnpike Souvenir Playing Cards, 1940-1950 - When it opened in 1940, the Pennsylvania Turnpike ran 160 miles between Harrisburg and Pittsburgh. It was extended another 100 miles east to Philadelphia in 1950. With its wide lanes, absence of intersections, and tunnels that took the road through -- rather than over or around -- mountains, the Pennsylvania Turnpike became the prototype for modern limited-access highways.
- 1940-1950
- Collections - Artifact
Pennsylvania Turnpike Souvenir Playing Cards, 1940-1950
When it opened in 1940, the Pennsylvania Turnpike ran 160 miles between Harrisburg and Pittsburgh. It was extended another 100 miles east to Philadelphia in 1950. With its wide lanes, absence of intersections, and tunnels that took the road through -- rather than over or around -- mountains, the Pennsylvania Turnpike became the prototype for modern limited-access highways.
- Burma-Shave Roadside Signs, 1964-1965 - While this "jingle" was first composed in 1933, the Burma-Vita company manufactured this set of signs for display at the 1965 Detroit Auto Show. From the late 1920s to the early 1960s, sets of six signs like these marketed the company's famous "brushless" men's shaving cream along rural roads in most states.
- 1933-1940
- Collections - Artifact
Burma-Shave Roadside Signs, 1964-1965
While this "jingle" was first composed in 1933, the Burma-Vita company manufactured this set of signs for display at the 1965 Detroit Auto Show. From the late 1920s to the early 1960s, sets of six signs like these marketed the company's famous "brushless" men's shaving cream along rural roads in most states.
- Lithograph by Currier & Ives, "The Roadside Mill," 1870 -
- 1870
- Collections - Artifact
Lithograph by Currier & Ives, "The Roadside Mill," 1870
- John Margolies’ Roadside America - Beginning in 1972, John Margolies embarked on a 100,000-mile journey to “go everywhere and see everything” in order to document the fast-disappearing American roadside.
- June 15, 2015
- Collections - Article
John Margolies’ Roadside America
Beginning in 1972, John Margolies embarked on a 100,000-mile journey to “go everywhere and see everything” in order to document the fast-disappearing American roadside.
- Safety Girl Roadside Emergency Kit, 2011 -
- 2011
- Collections - Artifact
Safety Girl Roadside Emergency Kit, 2011
- View inside a Roadside Diner, 1927-1929 - Entrepreneurs could start a business easily by purchasing a fully outfitted diner. Wason Manufacturing Company, a noted streetcar and railway passenger vehicle manufacturer, produced the Royal Diner in Los Angeles, California, pictured here. Owners wanting to attract women and families purchased diners with space for tables or booths with more comfortable seating and hired waitresses to serve customers.
- 1927-1929
- Collections - Artifact
View inside a Roadside Diner, 1927-1929
Entrepreneurs could start a business easily by purchasing a fully outfitted diner. Wason Manufacturing Company, a noted streetcar and railway passenger vehicle manufacturer, produced the Royal Diner in Los Angeles, California, pictured here. Owners wanting to attract women and families purchased diners with space for tables or booths with more comfortable seating and hired waitresses to serve customers.
- "The Roadside Diners Are Rolling," September 1953 -
- September 01, 1953
- Collections - Artifact
"The Roadside Diners Are Rolling," September 1953
- Prize Steer at Roadside Market, Greenfield Village, July 1944 -
- July 18, 1944
- Collections - Artifact
Prize Steer at Roadside Market, Greenfield Village, July 1944