The History of El Camino Real

A fun-filled look at the history and attractions of California's legendary Highway 101. Now the road has the utilitarian designation of U.S. Route 101, but originally it had a name of romance and mystery - El Camino Real, or the King's Highway, built on the trail pioneered by the Spanish friars and marked by mission bells on the roadside. Illustrated throughout with historic photographs, Highway 101: The History of El Camino Real tells the picturesque story of this great highway and the restaurants, motels, gas stations, and roadside attractions that made it memorable to generations of travelers. From Disneyland to the historic Madonna Inn to the Avenue of the Giants, Highway 101 catalogs the great landmarks along the road, plus the fascinating personalities, from Dorothea Lange to Jelly Roll Morton to Cecil B. DeMille, whose lives intersected with the history of the route. A colourful history of Americana, commerce, travel, and fun, Highway 101 captures the magic of the open road. AUTHOR: Stephen H. Provost is an author and journalist who has worked as an editor, columnist, and reporter at newspapers throughout California. His previous books include Highway 99: The History of California's Main Street; Fresno Growing Up: A City Comes of Age 1945-1985; and the fantasy novels Memortality and Paralucidity. SELLING POINTS: . A pleasure-filled nostalgia book on the great American highway experience. . Fun historic photos and histories of roadside attractions, fast-food stands, restaurants, motels and hotels along the highway. . Countless historical details never before collected in one book. 33 colour and 172 b/w photographs