Following the Dust Bowl Routes

The agricultural refugees made the long journey west on several highways in Texas and
Oklahoma. The most prominent one was old Route 66, although other streets were used,
such as Routes 70, 80, and 82.  

Route 66
Whole books have been written about this fabled highway. By passed now by Interstates
44 and 40, Route 66 began in Chicago, then crossed Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas,
New Mexico and Arizona, until it ended in California. While Route 66 is now a nostalgic
remnant of the 1950's car vacation, it fascinates travelers all over the world with old
motels, drive-in theaters, and downtowns that recall by-gone America. Oklahoma
occupies the greatest portion from the Missouri border by Joplin all the way to tiny Texola
by the Texas border. Many miles of the old road are still drivable, especially from Vanita to
Catousa, Tulsa to Oklahoma City, and from Oklahoma City to El Reno.  In contrast, Texas
has the shortest part of the route, and hardly any of it is drivable, save through the
downtowns of the cities along Interstate 40.

Route 70
Running parallel to the Red River in southern Oklahoma, Highway 70 enters Oklahoma at
DeQueen, AK, and leaves the state south of Frederick. It continues on through the Texas
panhandle, where it eventually goes to Clovis, New Mexico. The landscape on US 70
mirrors that of the Red River Valley: thick forests in the east giving way to grand prairies
in the west. US 70 approximates the route of entry for the Trail of Tears.  

Route 80
This highway is slowly being gobbled up by Interstate 20, so soon it will become another
relic of the automobile age. Therefore, it's definitely worth a look. US 80 threads its say
through the heart of North Texas, starting at the Louisiana border. It is a strong road up
until Dallas, where it becomes Fort Worth Avenue. In Fort Worth, US 80 merges with
Interstate 20, which dips southwest to end up in El Paso (migrants took a more northerly
route once in Fort Worth). US 80 makes for a great road trip as it passes through the most
authentic parts of Dallas and Fort Worth.

Route 82
Highway 82 parallels the Red River through North Texas, almost a twin to US 70. Entering
Texas at Texarkana, migrants veered onto US 287 at Wichita Falls when heading west,
where they would eventually meet up with Route 66 in Amarillo. This highway also briefly
parallels the National Road, and the towns it bisects reflect early Texas settler history.  

Road trips are the best way to understand American history, as most of it has been
shaped by the road. Driving down old roads is my favorite type of research!
Handmade marker on Route 82 -
"Buffalo Road East-West Hide and Bone
Hauling from 1870-1890"
Suggested Reading

The Great Depression is the
most researched period in
American history, so books
proliferate. However, as very few
books have been written on
what happened regionally
during this period,  some vital
information is missing. While
the following list of books and
websites represents the
material I used for research, it's
in no way comprehensive!

Dust Bowl: The Southern Plains
in the 1930s by Donald Worster
(Oxford University Press, 1979):
Good geographic and
ecological descriptions.

An American Exodus: A Record
of Human Erosion by Dorothea
Lange and Paul Taylor (New
York: Reynal & Hitchcock, 1939):
Great primary source with oral
histories and photos.

Hard Times: An Oral History of
the Great Depression by Studs
Terkel (New York: Pantheon
Books, 1970): Master oral
historian offers vivid first-hand
accounts.
Route 66 bridge west of Oklahoma City
Roads of the Dust Bowl Flight