Last year, when I traveled Route 66, there were several areas I skipped—mostly because they were too far off the Mother Road for the time I had. The truth is, so many towns in and around Route 66 have been devastated by its demise that someone could make an entire career just documenting them.
This time, I set out to find and record some of the less glamorous places—the ones that felt the full brunt of Route 66’s decommissioning. The road was established on November 11, 1926, and officially decommissioned on June 27, 1985, though many towns started fading long before as the interstate slowly took over.
Today’s journey took me through Geary, Bridgeport, and Foss, Oklahoma. Even after seeing so much decay along Route 66 last year, it still saddens me to witness what were once thriving small towns, their economies built around a well-traveled road that no longer exists.
Of course, getting to these places often means dealing with roads that are more suggestion than pavement. Travel plans? Out the window.
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| This is what the GPS called a "country road". Passable, but just. |
Geary, Oklahoma
Geary is practically a ghost town. One of the few remaining businesses on the main drag? A taxidermy shop. You can’t make this stuff up.
Most of the town is a collection of burned-out and crumbling buildings. And then there’s the local sheriff, prowling the empty streets in a massive, intimidating black patrol car. Given that there are barely any functioning businesses and most of the homes are abandoned or in ruins, I have to wonder—what exactly is he patrolling? How do they even afford gas for that thing?
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| One of the few remaining operations in Geary, OK |
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| Normally a business on Main St. would come with a roof and doors. |
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| Even the US flag looks sad |
Bridgeport, Oklahoma
Even more unsettling than Geary, Bridgeport actually made my skin crawl.
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| This is one of the better structures |
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| No doubt the mail will be arriving late today. |
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| What's left of one residence and it's backyard |
I met William Alexander, who came rushing out of his trailer cradling a
giant Bernese Mountain Dog puppy. William was eager to share his
knowledge of Bridgeport’s past. According to him, the post office shut
down in the mid-70s, but once upon a time, the town had two hotels. Hard to believe, looking at it now.
When I asked why some people still lived here, he struggled to explain. Eventually, he shrugged and said, “It was all about the water. Those who had the good water left.”
I did not press for details. Maybe the answer really is in the water.
William’s belt buckle might have offered some clues, but I didn’t ask about that either. Some things are better left a mystery.
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| William |
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| William's Mail Box |
Next to Nothing
After Bridgeport came Foss. Though a complete 180 from William's town, Foss was different in a couple of ways. Namely a rock (the remnants of a building's foundation) and an iron cage that once acted as the areas jail. I kid you not.
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| This is Foss, really! |
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| Ok, so there's a bit more... |
A Brighter Side of Route 66
Not everything today was bleak.
While passing through Bristow, I met Dakota, dressed in his high school graduation cap and gown, on his way to the library to do some research. He graduates next week—this was apparently a dress rehearsal. Sweet kid, with dreams of becoming a computer repairman.
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| Dakota, all ready for his graduation |
I also stopped by the Seaba Station Motorcycle Museum in Warwick to say hi to Jerry. I tried to find the actual town of Warwick, but Jerry informed me his shop was the town.
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| Jerry, one happy individual |
Route 66 Still Has Its Humor There’s still humor to be found along Route 66—though I doubt it’s always intentional.
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I'll leave the interpretation of the sign up to you.
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I made it as far as Elk City today. Tomorrow, the plan is to reach Gallup, New Mexico. Let’s see what the road has in store.
More……
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