Along 66, February 2020: A Book On the Green Book

FEBRUARY 11--  Book review "Overground Railroad:  The Green Book and the Roots of Black Travel in America" by Candacy Taylor.

When the Green Book was first published, half of the 89 counties Route 66 went through heading west were Sundown Towns (meaning Blacks had to be out of them before sundown).  Still, thirty-five percent of the counties did not allow black motorists after 6 p.m. in the 1950s.

Six of the eight Route 66 states had segregation laws.

Fantastic Caverns in Springfield, Missouri, once hosted a KKK rally.  A 260-mil stretch of 66 between Oklahoma City and Amarillo had no facilities for black motorists.  In 1947, there was only one motel listed in the Green Book, which showed Blacks where they could stay, eat and use the facilities.

Victor Hugo Green, a postal carrier in Harlem, began publishing the Green Book in 1936.

Sorry to say, Route 66, the Mother Road was a very segregated, anti-black road back then.  And, when we think of the joys of driving it, we need to know such was not the case for Blacks back then.

A much-needed book.  Thanks Candacy Taylor.

--RoadDog