California, or Bust!
Mapping the American Cross-Country Road Trip
The Great American Road Trip
In July 1970, my grandparents, Char (short for Charlotte) and Jake, packed up their 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle Wagon and brought my mom and her two brothers on a 30 day cross-country road trip. Beginning at their home in Somerset, NJ, they followed Route 80 to the West Coast and camped their way across 16 US States. They visited friends and family, slept in the country's great national parks, and saw all of the required landmarks. During their travels, my grandmother compiled a detailed personal archive of photographs and journal entries that document their movement across America.
Their journey is situated within a quintessential American tradition of road-tripping. Throughout the ages, writers, photographers, and general adventurists have felt a similar compulsion to set off to discover the country in its entirety (or at least attempt to do so). Think of Jack Kerouac's On the Road, or John Steinbeck's Travels with Charley: In Search of America. Photographers like Walker Evans, Dorothea Lange, and Robert Frank also traversed the open roads and documented American life with their cameras. "Our country is made for long trips," declared photographer Stephen Shore (Campany, 2014).
From left to right: my uncles, Dave and John, my grandmother, Char, and my mom, Beth.
The road-trip craze of the 20th century can be directly traced to the automobile explosion. Historian Susan Rugh believes the car acted as a cocoon of domesticity on the road. It enabled to families to feel safe at home while simultaneously exploring the country (Tucker, 2021). At the same time, cameras such as the Kodak Brownie and easy-to-use roll film entered the market, and photography was advertised as a crucial component of traveling (Campany, 2014). The act of taking photographs would forever become connected to life on the road.
The trip my grandparents embarked on in 1970 is certainly a product of this culture, and the archive produced by my grandmother is just one of many produced by families doing the same. In her journal, my grandmother tells stories of running into mutual friends and acquaintances on the road. When remembering the trip, my mom says, "that's just what families did back then." The Manuscript Division of the Library of Congress even collects travelogues such as my grandmother's as important documents of American culture (Tucker, 2021).
For this project, I got to work as an archival detective and began piecing together the locations, sights, and stories from my family's journey. The following map recreates their route across America and paints a picture of what the road trip experience was like in 1970. As a whole, the project explores how digital mapping tools can be used to tell stories hidden within archives and ultimately preserve family memories.
Processing the Archive
The photo album (left) and journal (right).
My family's memories of the trip live in a scrapbook of photographs and a handwritten journal compiled by my grandmother. I hoped that by identifying locations mentioned in these documents, I would be able to recreate their route across the US.
Beginning with the journal, I scanned and transcribed each day's entry. This was done with the help of OCR and some very close reading. As I transcribed the journal entries, I began compiling a Google spreadsheet to track locations and date information.
The journal my grandmother wrote while traveling.
Excerpts from my grandmother's photo album.
Scanning the photo album at the Pratt Institute Library
Next, I got to work on the photo album. The photos were in need of some care after spending the last 50 years in an acidic 1970s' scrapbook. I carefully removed each one from the adhesive backing while keeping track of the album's original order. Using a knife, I removed any residual adhesive from the back of each photograph. The photographs were then rehoused in an acid-free, archival photo album.
While working on the photographs, I recorded the data from each one into my spreadsheet. This included their dates, locations, and my grandmother's annotations. I would use this later on to reconcile the locations they passed through along their journey.
When all was said and done, the photos were ready to be scanned!
Building the Map
Once the archive was inventoried, the photos scanned, and my spreadsheet compiled, I began assigning coordinates for each of the locations mentioned in my grandmother's records. This was done by consulting historic business records and lots of good old-fashioned Googling. Eventually, I brought the data into ArcGIS where I was able to map their route based on modern day road networks.
The Trip, at a Glance
July 3, 1970
Departed from Somerset, New Jersey.
July 12, 1970
Reached the Bay Area in California. After exploring San Francisco, Los Angeles, and the state's National Parks, they then set out across the southwestern states.
August 1, 1970
Arrived back home in New Jersey.
Calendar with each of their campsite locations.
Explore the Journey:
Use the map below to follow the route my grandparents took across America. Click on marked points to see more details about the location, including excerpts from my grandmother's journal.
The First Leg
July 2, 1970
The trip started from their house at 79 Drake Road, Somerset, NJ. Bright and early the next morning, they passed through the Delaware Water Gap. They would follow the entire length of Route 80 to San Francisco.
Left 7:08 am. Delaware Water Gap, westward, Rte 80.
July 3, 1970
The first campsite: KOA, Sandusky, Ohio
Throughout their trip, they typically stayed at privately-owned KOA campgrounds.
Campground neat, but no privacy. Not our idea of camping - at all!
Circular area of tents and trailers side by side. Did appreciate hot showers, tho.
July 4, 1970
Passing through Chicago on the Skyway
Toll: $0.35
July 4, 1970
A Visit with Family in Dundee, Illinois
Arrived in Dundee around 6pm - MacDonald hamburgers and french fries hit the spot... Reached Barb and Chuck's about 7pm. Visited Aunt Rose at nursing home that evening. Aunt Rose looked better than we expected...
In evening, drove over to St. Catherine's Church parking lot to watch the fireworks shot off from Sleepy Hollow - we oohed and aahed.
The next day, they visited some familiar sights from the past. My grandmother had previously worked at Haeger Pottery as a secretary.
Visited D'Angelo's - pleasant reunion with Dell and Mrs. D'Angelo. Toured grounds - kids caught fish from the ponds - drank D'Angelo Natural Spring Water. Then visited Haeger's Showroom. In one of the exhibits was a framed letter written by Mr. Haeger - typed by me! dated Feb 4, 1952 - a suprise to see my initials on the bottom of the letter.
Midwestern Monotony
July 6, 1970
Left Dundee 8:15am.
After leaving saying goodbye to family in Dundee, Illinois, they set out for the road again. My mom recalls that if my grandparents ever came across a Polish grocery store they were sure to buy something. In La Salle, Illinois, they came across a rare find - duck blood soup:
Stopped in La Salle, Ill. for groceries - Wibanowski's supermarket - very clean and neat, found a jar of "Czarnina" duck soup which we bought for Mom.
After that, they were met with long stretches of monotonous midwestern highways.
Monotonous driving thru Iowa farmland - flat, corn fields - no break in scenery.
Spent evening at Rock Creek State Park, Iowa. Nice campground. Our campsite was right on edge of lake. Kids enjoyed fishing. John pulled boo-boo of the day: dropped his fishing pole in the lake - had to dive for it, after spending hours in vain trying to pull it up with a line and hook.
July 7, 1970
Mormon Island, Nebraska
Ridge of hills approaching Omaha and for a bit, thereafter, flat farmland prevailed again. On way to Grand Island.
Modern, clean, convenient facilities - laundry, showers. Horrendous mosquitos but they didn't leave welts or itch!
Approaching Wyoming
Took 1st shot on new roll of film. Saw hills along Rt I 80 near Paxton, Nebraska. S.W. Nebraska - flat and rolling farmland, just north of Colorado. Wheat growing - corn - herds of beef.
Barren hills - rather desolate country. Appears not very populated.
Stopped at Lake McConaughy for lunch - large resevoir - no picnic facilities. Picked up groceries in Ogallala.
July 8, 1970
Cheyenne, Wyoming
Outside past Cheyenne, Wyoming driving to Laramie - treeless, houseless hills as far as the eye can see!
Took picture of tree growing out of large rock - Sherman Mountains.
The first campsite to impress: Vedauwoo, Medicine Bow National Forest
Campsite is greatest we've camped at so far - scenery fabulous.
Huge rock formations, one precariously balanced on another!
Campside - huge boulder strewn; thick gnarled pine trees.
Breakfast of bacon and eggs never tasted so good as we ate at sunrise. What an impressive spot!
July 9, 1970
Back on the Road
Trip from Laramie most monotonous. Dreary , parched country-side, uninhabited, sage-brush, country for miles on end - flat-topped, parched eroded mountains.
Stopped at "Little America" for Choc. sodas & malted. Hit change in scenery (high & greener mountains) approaching Evanston, Wyo. Mountainous into Utah.
Utah & Nevada
July 9, 1970
On July 9, they finally reached the next large city:
Salt Lake City, UT
Camped at KOA in South Salt Lake City. All took needed showers & did laundry.
July 10, 1970
Left KOA Salt Lake 9:30 am. Went sightseeing - Temple Square.
Guided tour of the "Tabernacle," construction of which is an engineering feat - huge dome constructed without pillars - no nails used - wooden pegs hold beams together. Acoustics most remarkable. Can hear a pin drop & distinctly hear a whisper.
Had Mexican lunch at "Taco Belle." Ate tacos, tostados, burritos, frijoles for first time. Very tasty. Impressed with cleanliness, neatness, wide streets of Salt Lake City downtown.
The Great Salt Lake
Drove out to Great Salt Lake then drove on thru the Great Salt desert, saw mirages - interesting -road is straight as an arrow.
Stopped at rest area alongside salt flats - looks like a huge ice lake.
July 10, 1970
An Attempt to Camp at Angel Lake, Humboldt National Forest
On our way to Nevada campsite and it's Angel Lake in the Humboldt Nat'l Forest - way, way, way up the steepest mountain road - winding round & round - snow patches on the roadside, what a backdrop our campsite has!
Just as we had set up camp completely we heard a rustle in the woods above our campsite & saw a bare-chested man speaking thru the brush... Then we saw he had a foot long sheathed knife hanging from his belt!!
Valuing our lives, we hurriedly broke camp. What a mess - it was raining & getting dark. Finished packing by lantern, threw everything into the car & with a shaky-sigh of relief, we climbed jam-packed car, locked the doors - made our way slowly down the steep mountain to stay at the Victory Motel in Wells.
July 11, 1970
A pleasant stay in Lovelock, NV
Lefts Wells 10:45 a.m. We'll always wonder whatever happened to that character.
Enjoyed a grassy, shady site. Feasted on juicy sirloin steaks. Did laundry. ... While waiting rested for clothes to dry, rested in shady old-fashioned, restful city park- Court House - lots of children playing in playground. Lovelock appears a quite, easy-going Western town - peaceful.
California, At Last!
July 12, 1970
After a pit-stop in Reno, NV, they finally reached California. Their first stop was Donner State Park, above Lake Tahoe.
Stopped for lunch at Donner State Park. - just beautiful - lake - high pine trees.
July 13, 1970
Arriving in the Bay Area
After lunch, they set out to San Francisco.
Our destination then was Samuel Taylor State Park but all campsites were full so went on to Olema Ranch campground 6 mi beyond.
Night was very cold & damp - foggy! Heater certainly came in handy this night.
Sightseeing in Downtown San Francisco
Sightseeing, Down Calif! along shoreline. Nasturtiums grow wild along roadside - like vines - pretty. Saw Pacific Ocean for first time. How different the landscape is from the East coast - the wild flowers, brush, birds. Very winding, scenic road.
High hills overlook bay - homes at all levels. Alcatraz seen in bay. Went over Golden Gate Bridge.
Took a cable car ride to Nob Hill - What hills! Drove car down prettiest, crooked street in the world.
Ate shrimp & crab cocktails, bought a huge crab at Fisherman's Wharf.
Returning to camp, stopped for pizza at San Anselmo.
July 14, 1970
Exploring California's National Parks
After the exciting sights of San Francisco, they set out to explore the state's national parks, and experienced the scorching heat of the California desert for the first time.
Left Olena Campground at 9:00 am. On way to Yosemite... Hot as blazes driving thru San Joaquin Valley.
Took Rte 140 from Merced into Yosemite - first time we ever experienced such searing, dry heat while traveling the lowlands enroute. Felt like blast furnace heat.
That evening, they arrived in Yosemite:
Arrived Yosemite around 5:00 pm. Lower campgrounds all full so drove to Crane Flat via Big Oak Flat Rd - campsite midst brushes & huge pine trees - very pretty site - elevation around 7,000 ft. - takes a while for meats to cook.
Scenery just spectacular. Sheer, huge granite mountains rise straight up 1,500 ft to 7,000 ft.
Lunched at roadside - spread blanket in meadows in full view of Yosemite Falls - in shade of a huge pine tree - breathtaking view - dwarfed by monstrous, granite mountains.
During night, have heard howling of what must be coyotes.
July 16, 1970
Drove up to Glacier Point - seemed to ride up the steep (gulp!) mountain forever.
Spectacular view from Washburn Point. As for the view from Glacier Point - Holy Cow! - as John put it. Directly below is the valley - looks like a miniature village from this high spot. The beauty of this place is supercalifragilistic-expialidocious!
July 17, 1970
Sequoia & Kings Canyon
Left campsite 36, Yosemite at 9:00 am. Soon enter Sierra Nat'l Forest - very pretty - roads especially windy. Dave became very carsick , despite pill. On way to Fresno, Lunch at McDonalds.
Stopped to see Gen Sherman Redwood - oldest living thing. Est. weight: 131.9 tons; circum. at base: 101.6 ft. Height above base: 272.4 ft. Road thru forest incredibly steep & curving. View from highest point is awesome.
July 18, 1970
Staying with the Geller's in Los Angeles
After their national park explorations, they arrived to stay with friends in Los Angeles:
Arrived Geller's in Glendora - grimy with 5 bags of dirty laundry! Washed and dried clothes for hours & took marvelous showers. Angie fixed hamburgers & corn on cob.
Pancakes & sausage for breakfast by Irv & Angie.
In afternoon, went sightseeing in LA. Saw La Brea Tar Pits, art museum, drove to Hollywood, thru Beverly Hills & saw gorgeous homes there.
After a full day of gallivanting, returned around 10:00 pm.
July 20, 1970
Anaheim, CA
Of course, a trip to LA would not have been complete without a visit to the famous theme park:
Disneyland here we come.
Especially enjoyed "Pirates of Caribbean", "Haunted Mansion", "Matterhorn" & Bell Telephones "See America"
Left dog tired around 10:00 pm.
July 21, 1970
A Beach Day in Newport
They spent their last day in Los Angeles swimming and building sandcastles in Corona del Mar:
Swam in Pacific for first time - water quite cold. Kids had a ball.
In evening we, Irv & Angie went to "Charley Brown's" for a late dinner.
The Southwest Desert
July 22, 1970
The next leg of their journey brought them back to the desert:
Through Mojave Desert - vastland of yellow, brown & pink color - mountains & desert dotted with parched brown clumps of vegetation.
HOT. DRY.
Lake Mead. Enjoyed refreshing swim in lake shortly after arriving. Temp was 115 that day.
They camped near the Hoover Dam. In the words of my grandmother, it was:
Quite a hunk of a dam!
Hottest night spent anywhere! Was in the 80s. Left soon as possible next morning.
July 23, 1970
Approaching The Grand Canyon
Drove thru Zion Nat'l PR - thru a long tunnel high in the mountains. Trees & brushes growing out of the red, very unusual mountains. Looks like each one has been scraped every which way by hundreds of giant cleavers.
Had to buy two new tires at Mt. Carmel Utah. 16,794 mileage.
They ran into some mutual friends during a traffic jam:
On way to Grand Canyon, held up for road construction about 1/2 hr - near Kaibab Nat'l Forest. During wait, people got out of cars - in chatting, one man said he was born in Wilkes-Barre - his father from Shickshinny! ...got out of car to talk to him & ask if he knew Joe Kitta. Sure 'nuf - said he did....Speak of a small world!
Headed for Jacob Lake tonight as it's too late to drive to Grand Canyon.
July 24, 1970
The Northern Rim
Campsite at Jacob lake very enjoyable - most tall pine trees. Quite cool at night - could have used a heater.
Brisk morning - clean, cool, bright sunshine. Bacon & eggs tasted great. 43 miles to northern rim of Grand Canyon.
Drive thru forest so enjoyable. Scenery: huge sloping meadows - green & fresh - tall pine & aspen trees. Altitude is above 7,000 ft. - a feeling of complete serenity as we ride thru. A picture of unspoiled beauty.
Fantastic - frighteningly DEEP!
At night built fire - kids enjoyed roasted hot dogs - Johnny ate a record 7.
July 25, 1970
The Southern Rim & Flagstaff
The date my grandmother labeled this photograph was off by a day.
Left Jacob Lake 8:30 am. On way to South Rim of Canyon. Passed thru Painted Desert, Navajo Indian Reservation.
View from this side very spectacular. Went thru museum there - quite interesting. Heard interesting talk on formation of canyon at visitor's center.
Drive back to Flagstaff enjoyable - air so clear - perfect visibility. Really struck by the crystal-clear air!
July 26, 1970
Heading to New Mexico: The Petrified Forest
Left campsite at 10:00 am. On way to see Petrified Forest. Drove thru length of forest & took in all the sights. Spent night at KOA in Gallup.
July 27, 1970
Albuquerque, NM
Left Gallup 8:30 am. Albuquerque next sight on the agenda. Near Grants, N.M. passed by band of lava flow - interesting.
Visited Old Town section of Albuquerque - San Felipe De Neri Church, built in early 1700's. Had Mexican lunch in the old church's hall.
Spent night in Tucumcari N. Mex. KOA. One camping night we'll never forget! Fierce thunder & electrical storm. Gusts of wind so bad, it seemed we & the tent would be blown away.
The Long Way Home
July 28, 1970
After exploring the Grand Canyon and the Southwest desert, they were once again met with long stretches of monotonous roads:
Driving thru Texas Panhandle quite a grind - flatland seems to stretch forever. Amarillo was break in the scenery - city appears to be nice place to live.
Expected Okla. to be a dry dust bowl as described in "Grapes of Wrath" so were pleasantly surprised by the greenery.
July 29, 1970
St. Louis, Missouri
They spent some time with more friends in St. Louis:
Enjoyed visit with Dick & Carol - a welcome break from tent-living.... Before going over Halfrety's we stopped at Papa Spoto's restaurant and had spaghetti dinners.
Left Halfrety's around 9:30 am. Noted housing so much more substantial than the East. Homes well-built of brick - even MacDonald Hamburger was built of fine brick work. Evidently this is an area of very skilled brick masons.
Drove downtown to see the St. Louis Gateway Arch & museum underground.
July 30, 1970
The Home Stretch!
Rte 70 & 40 to Terre Haute, Ind. ... Camped at Grandpa's farm, Richmond Ind. Nice campground - tall tress, swimming in the river.
July 30, 1970
The Final Campsite
Camped last night at Blue Knob State Park ...Thunderstorm - rained a good bit. Couldn't even get ready for bed - slept in our clothes... I do believe we're going to appreciate the conveniences of home tomorrow !!
August 1, 1970
A Visit to Penn State University
Their last day on the road warranted a visit to the campus where my grandparents met. After working at Haeger Pottery in Dundee, Illinois, my grandmother took a job working as a secretary in Penn State's Meteorology department. At the time, she lived at a women's boarding house - Fern Lodge.
At the same time, my grandfather was working on his Ph.D in Chemistry and Fuel Technology. After various dates at the university's Tavern Restaurant and ice cream shop, they eventually started their family together. Both my mom and her brother, John, were born just outside State College at the nearest hospital in Bellefonte, PA.
My grandmother, Char, and grandfather, Jake, with Beth and John, at his graduation in 1960.
How nice to see State College again - but how it's changed! Campus is so crowded with buildings. Fern Lodge still there - amused by sign on door: "Occupancy of 105 persons in this slum dwelling considered normal" "Our Lady of Victory" church where John & Beth were baptized no longer in use. Visited Mineral Industries & Science Bldgs.
Kids enjoyed showcases in Ml & MS (Mineral Industries and Science) showing all sorts of exhibits, minerals, etc. ... Went up to Meteorology labs. Learned Miss Emmerich left library about 4 years ago.... Left a note of qreeting under Hosler's door... Bought huge ice cream cones & cheese at University dairy store.
And with that they headed home!
Left S.C. at 3:20 pm. Drove thru Lewistown (rather bypassed it) to Harrisburg.
August 1, 1970
Home: 7:32 pm.
Been quite an experience. Seen so many fascinating & marvelous sights. Road traveling is awfully tedious & grueling at times. How did the pioneers ever cross the country in covered wagons ...
Overview
In their 30 days on the road, my family stayed at 18 campsites and with friends or relatives 3 times. During the trip, my grandparents took 168 photographs, 98 of which are included in this story. Their family passed through a total of 16 states. At the end of their trip, my grandmother had recorded 147 stops along the way. These are her records of how far they traveled and how much they spent:
Total Distance
8,356 mi
Total Spent
$620
Gas: $216.33 Tolls: $12.45 Lodging: $50.05 Miscellaneous: $137.39 (...with $203.78 unaccounted for. All those hotdogs and hamburgers, perhaps?)
What would this trip look like today?
Total Distance (Based on Modern Day Road Networks):
7,648 mi
In 2023, $620 has the same buying power as $4,798.42. 1
Based on the average fuel economy of passenger cars today, gas would cost $4,260.08. 2
1 - According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI Inflation Calculator 2 - Average Annual Fuel Use by Vehicle Type, February 2020; The average national gas price on 5/5/2023 according to AAA Gas Prices is $3.561 per gallon.
Explore the Completed Dataset:
Have a story about your family's mid-century cross-country road trip? I'd love to hear about it!
Contact:
adela448@pratt.edu
