Despite being just a few miles from the end of the route, the Fair Oaks Pharmacy in South Pasadena, CA, is like walking into a time capsule. This 1910 establishment is the only operational compounding pharmacy on Route 66,combining a working pharmacy with a soda fountain bar.

Join Route 66 Podcast host Anthony Arno as he talks with Brenden Shaniani, partner in the Fair Oaks Soda Fountain about life in a working pharmacy that tried to distant itself from the Walgreens and Rite-Aid type pharmacies.

Highlights from the show include:

• Fair Oaks Pharmacy as a time capsule
• Original 1915 proprietor,Gertrude Ozmun

• An unusual wedding proposal that Ozmun could not resist by a hopeful US Senator
• Various iterations of Fair Oaks Pharmacy
• Connection between a soda fountain and a pharmacy
• Soda fountain lingo
• Previous owner, Michael Miller, talks about his 1500 mile trek to Missourito relocate an authentic Route 66 soda fountain shop
• Parents purchase of Fair Oaks after immigrating from Iran
• Running a pharmacy as a family business
• A walk through the pharmacy gift shop and the most popular items
• Fair Oaks Pharmacy in pop culture
• Most popular visitors to Fair Oaks Pharmacy
• Proudest moments at the pharmacy
• Celebrating 110th anniversary of Fair Oaks Pharmacy
• Other area attractions in South Pasadena

Thank you to Route 66 Podcast & Scholarship supporters, including

• Rob and Cheryl Cochran - Maryland
• Reed Coles - Nebraska
• Jim Crabtree – California
• Todd Farrell - Nebraska
• Rich Havlik – Minnesota
• Mary Nicholson – Pennsylvania
• Mark Wilson - Texas

And from the United Kingdom

• Charli Beeton

Route 66 Tours led by Route 66 Podcast host, Anthony Arno

Please consider supporting both The Route 66 Podcast and Scholarship Program through Patreon.

There are many Route 66 museums, but probably one of the most comprehensive and largest museums is the Route 66 Oklahoma Museum. Route 66 Podcast talks with Pat Smith, curator of the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum. The displays are all professionally laid out and are part of the Oklahoma Historical Society.

Join host Anthony Arno as he talks with Pat Smith about the following:

• Introducing the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum
  • Where is Clinton, OK?
• The Oklahoma Historical Society
• Comparason to other Route 66 museums
• Pat Smith - Curator
  • Earliest memory of Route 66
• The 1995 opening of the museum
• Staff and Volunteers
• Annual visitors

• Origin of artifacts for Route 66 Museum
  • Authentic Valentine Diner
  • Typical donation inquiries
• Layout of Museum
  • Classic car collection
  • The museum decade by decade
• The Gift Shop
• Past museum milestones
• Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame
• Centennial celebration planning
• Pat's favorite gallery
• Famous (and not so famous) museum visitors
• Planning your visit to the museum

Thank you to Route 66 Podcast & Scholarship supporters, including

• Rob and Cheryl Cochran - Maryland
• Reed Coles - Nebraska
• Jim Crabtree – California
• Todd Farrell - Nebraska
• Rich Havlik – Minnesota
• Mary Nicholson – Pennsylvania
• Mark Wilson - Texas

And from the United Kingdom

• Charli Beeton

Route 66 Tours led by Route 66 Podcast host, Anthony Arno

Please consider supporting both The Route 66 Podcast and Scholarship Program through Patreon.

THE ARISTON CAFE

The Ariston Cafe located in Litchfield, IL, is the longest continously operated family restaraunt along Route 66. Established by Pete Adam, a Greek immigrant who arrived here in America in 1905 at the age of 15.

Hear the whole history of The Ariston Cafe by the founders son, Nick Adam. At 85 years old, Nick tells about how his father arrived here in America with no clear vision and worked in a wide variety of occupations from managing a Boston shoe shining parlor to working in a Colorado mine.

Even before considering the restaraunt business, Pete returned back home to Greece in 1919 to help fight the Greco-Turkish War. After the war, Pete returns back to America and his life would change forever when a complete stranger offers Pete $1000 to open up a Greek diner.

Highlights from the show include:

• The arrival of 15 year old Pete Adam to America

• Decision to return back to Greece to join the war effort

• Pete tries to make it again in America a second time

• The Candy Kitchen Days

• A total stranger gives Pete an ultimatum
• 1924 Ariston opens up
  • Past guest, Phil Gordon, recalls two Ariston locations
• Growing up at The Ariston
• The dream of law school
• Earliest memory of The Ariston
• Most popular dishes
• Life with Demi Adam
• Most memorable patrons at The Ariston
• Walking away from the Ariston
• Life after The Ariston (The Litchfield Route 66 Museum)
• is The Ariston important to Route 66?
• Local appreciation of The Ariston
• 100 years of advice to any Route 66 business owner
• 100th anniversary celebration of Ariston