The Golden Light Cafe & Cantina – Amarillo, Texas
Published in 1938, John Steinbeck’s Grapes of Wrath is widely regarded as one of the greatest American novels ever written. Replete with timeless themes of struggle, destitution, injustice, and the pursuit of a delusive “Promised Land,” the novel centers around the trevails of the Joad family. Along with thousands of other tenant farmers from Oklahoma who lost their livelihood and property because of the Dust Bowl, the Joads travel the relatively nascent Route 66 toward California and the pursuit of a piece of land to call their own. Every night on their journey, the Joads and their fellow migrants witnessed man’s inclinations toward desperation, violence, and murderous anger as well as generousity and respect. We couldn’t help but think about the Joads when we made reservations for three nights at Amarillo’s Hubbel Duplex. We couldn’t help but reflect on all the “Okies” who passed in front of the Duplex en route to California. Situated on the western end of West Sixth Street, the brick dwelling remains virtually unchanged since its construction in 1925. West Sixth Street was the first paved highway through Amarillo and a vibrant part of Route 66. Today the U.S. Route 66-Sixth Street Historic District runs for…