Blues History in the Heartland - The US HWY 61 Arch National Landmark on the Blues Highway

Описание: From what I understand, there was some happening juke joint's around the area where the arch stands. All of this was until I55 went up nearby. When that happened, people stopped traveling 61, and a lot of the business dried up.

The US Highway 61 Arch is a piece of American history. It stands on the Arkansas-Missouri state line, between Blytheville, Arkansas, and Steele, Missouri.

Of course, the "blues highway" (Highway 61) crosses right through...

An interesting note about the arch, and the area, comes from the National Registry of Historic Places. About the arch, and the surrounding area in the first quarter of the 20th Century, it states...

"The location of the arch on the directly south of the Arkansas-Missouri state lines had a somewhat strange economic effect. Highway 61 runs primarily north to south, but at the state line the road runs east to west for a distance of approximately one-half of a mile. The state line is located directly north of the section of highway.

A lower gasoline and cigarette tax in Missouri led to a concentration of businesses on the north side of the highway. At one time there were as many as fourteen service stations lined up along the “line”. Along with the service stations came several nightclubs and small gambling houses. The area around the arch became known as “Little Chicago” because of the type of activity that went on there. A long-time resident of nearby Yarbo, Arkansas, once said of the arch, “It was a good place to go while the wife and kids were in church.”

This sounds like the type of place you might see folks like Robert Johnson, Johnny Shines, Son House, and many others...hang out and play some tunes.

Visiting this place was a great experience for me. I happened to experience both some dark clouds, and some beautiful sunshine, while there. If you get the chance, go check it out while you can.

Thanks for watching. John - Still Livin' the Blues

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