En route to roadside history

Elena Montanye |

Big orange moose, y'all. Image.
Big Orange Moose, y'all. Image.

If you’re among the many of us who dread lengthy drives, it’s time to add a little pizazz to your traveling routine. Wisconsin Public Radio’s recent post tells the story of Jeff Kunkle, co-founder of the Vintage Roadside Project, and boy does he know how to make the most out of a car ride.

Kunkle found his calling when he and his wife took a road trip through central New York eight years ago. The pair noticed that many former roadside attractions –  kitschy museums and tourist traps, diners and drive-ins, motor courts and motels, and more – had closed, and local community members didn’t know the history behind the sites. Kunkle and his wife were struck with curiosity and a desire to preserve these American classics, and thus, Vintage Roadside was born.

Kunkle said that his work includes tracking down memorabilia from attractions (usually mom-n-pop style businesses) that have closed, and he has even met a number of the sites’ former owners. While the height of roadside attractions in America was the 1930s, there are still many around today, and we even have one or two in our own backyard.

The Kunkles strongly urge everyone who is able to get out and immerse themselves in the widely unknown culture of roadside attractions. And lucky you, Wisconsin is jam-packed with them. Happy roadside-ing!