Grapes of Wrath Travel Journal Chapters 11-15(B)

GOW Travel  Blog (B)                                                             

Route 66 Map

Bel-Air Drive Inn

Rest Haven Motel

         Highway 66 was significant for the Joad family and many other migrants because it was the main route used by families to migrate to California. The Highway 66 was created on April 30,1926 in Springfield, Missouri. Illustrated in the pictures above, there were many Drive-Inns, Motels, gas stations, etc that became very popular due to the fact that the demand for food and supplies increased after more people began migrating. Motels provided migrants with a place to stay overnight, while Drive-Inns provided migrants with food for the long trip west. Many families' land was taken away, forcing them to find a new beginning. California was seen as the most ideal and perfect place for many famers. California had good weather for agriculture and as a result had produce growing everywhere. Unfortunately, these migrants faced opposition by many Californians. At the California borders, the police had  "bum blockades" in order to prevent these migrants from coming into California. Some migrants instantly found jobs, while others were forced to live with family friends. Due to the fact that some migrants were able to find work quickly, many native-born Americans opposed their migration into California because they were forced to compete with them for jobs.


http://geography.about.com/od/urbaneconomicgeography/a/route66geography.htm

http://digital.library.okstate.edu/encyclopedia/entries/o/ok008.html