McClean is another now-quiet Route 66 Texas town that is trying to reinvent itself or at least attract more Route 66 voyagers. It looks like so many other small towns in the heartland: a main strip, sturdy square-front shops, of which some are occupied but many empty, an occasional hair/fingernails emporium, and an occasional government entity in one of the storefronts. This could be in Texas, Arkansas, Mississippi, or Oklahoma.
The outskirts of town have some interesting farm sheds, but probably not of interest to the typical Route 66 traveler.
Ah ha, an artist has been at work on a 66 mural.
We saw another classic 1920s peaked-roof Phillips 66 station. This one was restored by the Texas Route 66 Association, according to the
Route 66 Adventure Handbook ("Turbocharged Fourth Edition").
Here is a mid-century gas station, possibly clad with enameled steel panels, although not in the best condition.
This little house was across the street from the Phillips 66 restored station. The housing stock in McClean was mixed, but mostly rather rough. We only stayed a short while and proceeded on our way on the Mother Road.
Digital images are from a Fujifilm X-E1 camera.
Update: I found a black and white film photograph of the Phillips 66 station from my
Olympus Trip 35 camera on Kodak BW400CN film. A polarizer enhanced the clouds. Comments welcome on whether you prefer the color or monochrome versions.
