Route 66 Podcast - 55. Devil's Rope (Barbed Wire) Museum, McLean, TX

55. Devil's Rope (Barbed Wire) Museum, McLean, TX

11/07/23 • 64 min

The Devil's Rope (Barbed Wire) Museum along Route 66 in Mclean, TX, is probably one of the most unusual museums along The Mother Road.

Join host Anthony Arno, as he talks with 90 year old curator Delbert Trew all about his museum and collection of over 800 different types of barbed wire. Cited as one of the most important inventions during the Industrial Revolution, the museum features anything and everything related to barbed wire, including art, tools, medicines, books, and use during warfare.

There are many interesting museums along Route 66, but perhaps one of the most interesting is the Devil’s Rope Museum with its collection of over 800 examples of barbed wire.

Join host Anthony Arno as he talks with Delbert Trew, the 90 year old curator of the Devil’s Rope Museum in McLean, TX. Highlights from the show include:

Why visit a barbed wire museum?
McClean’s “other” fame to claim- Alfred Rowe
McClean’s Mayor Passenger # XXX on the Titanic
McLain’s once popular Brassiere Factory
History of the American cowboy
What problem does barbed wire solve?
Origin of Devil’s Rope name for barbed wire
Barbed Wire- Rancher or Farmer’s best friend?
The most popular wire all visitors must see!
Barbed Wire: Tools, Medicine, Books, Art, Poetry, Wartime
Barbed Wire in song
Modern versions of Barbed Wire
Delbert’s initial interest in Barbed Wire
Books published by Delbert on Ranching, Barbed Wire, and other interests
Devil’s Rope Museum featuring Route 66 memorabilia
Visiting Devil’s Rope Museum
Other Route 66 attractions in McLean, TX

The Devil's Rope (Barbed Wire) Museum along Route 66 in Mclean, TX, is probably one of the most unusual museums along The Mother Road.

There are many interesting museums along Route 66, but perhaps one of the most interesting is the Devil’s Rope Museum with its collection of over 800 examples of barbed wire.

Join host Anthony Arno as he talks with Delbert Trew, the 90 year old curator of the Devil’s Rope Museum in McLean, TX. Highlights from the show include:

Why visit a barbed wire museum?
McClean’s “other” fame to claim- Alfred Rowe
McClean’s Mayor Passenger # XXX on the Titanic
McLain’s once popular Brassiere Factory
History of the American cowboy
What problem does barbed wire solve?
Origin of Devil’s Rope name for barbed wire
Barbed Wire- Rancher or Farmer’s best friend?
The most popular wire all visitors must see!
Barbed Wire: Tools, Medicine, Books, Art, Poetry, Wartime
Barbed Wire in song
Modern versions of Barbed Wire
Delbert’s initial interest in Barbed Wire
Books published by Delbert on Ranching, Barbed Wire, and other interests
Devil’s Rope Museum featuring Route 66 memorabilia
Visiting Devil’s Rope Museum
Other Route 66 attractions in McLean, TX

Previous Episode

54. Remembering Ramona Lehman - The Munger Moss Motel (Encore)

The Route 66 Podcast pays a special tribute to Ramona Lehman, who passed away on August 2, 2023, at the age of 85 years old.

This episode was originally released in 2021 as Ramona celebrated her 50th year operating the Munger Moss Motel.

Join host Anthony Arno as he talks with Ramona about

How does an Iowa farm girl wind up on Route 66?
Honeymooning along Route 66
Early history of The Munger Moss Motel
Origin of the Munger Moss Name
Remembering her late husband, Bob Lehman
Helping businesses along Route 66 get established
The early days when Ramona arrived at The Munger Moss
Discovering garages that were once part of the motel
Ramona’s room recommendation at The Munger Moss
Long term residents at The Munger Moss
The Munger Moss: To sell or not to sell?
Will the children carry on the Munger Moss tradition?
The world famous Munger Moss Neon sign
Celebrating 50 years at The Munger Moss
Most memorable guests to walk through the door
Meeting the original owner many years later – Emmitt Moss
Maintaining the Munger Moss sign
Constant flow of picture takers along Route 66
Most popular Munger Moss items for sale in the lobby
Bob Lehman’s prized toy collection
The biggest challenge in 50 years at The Munger Moss
The very first in-ground pool in Lebanon, Missouri arrives at The Munger Moss
Ramona’s last vacation
Preserving Route 66 for future generations
Is Ramona as famous locally as she is with Route 66 travelers?
Ramona’s Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren visiting at The Munger Moss
Sales pitch for The Munger Moss 2021
Next item on Ramona’s Bucket list
A Ramona Lehman Revelation: Where hasn’t she been along Route 66? (The answer WILL surprise you!)
Long Live Route 66

Next Episode

56. Route 66 Matchcover Collector Phil Gordon

Phil Gordon has a unique hobby related to Route 66. As an engineer, he’s very careful not to let even his closest acquaintances know that he is passionate about collecting historic Route 66 matchcovers. With a collection beyond 5000 matchcovers, Phil has painstakingly scanned and uploaded his collection online to share with the world and Route 66 fans.

Join The Route 66 Podcast host Anthony Arno as he talks with Phil about one of the most unusual hobbies as a phillumenist. Highlights include:

Matchbook versus matchcover Collecting
Does the absence of matches in a matchcover collection diminish the value?
Earliest history of matches and matchbook advertising
Most popular configurations of matchbooks
Philuminist by definition
Transition from collecting postcards to match covers
The original 10 matchcovers in Phil's collection
The most coveted Route 66 matchcover: Peach Springs Garage
What do people think of someone who has collected over 5,000 matchcovers?
Developing an organized system for collecting and cataloging Route 66 matchcovers
- Motels and lodgings
- Cafes and restaurants
- Gas stations
- Trading Posts
Full length matchcovers designs
Background knowledge needed for collecting matchcovers
Ebay scammers selling matchcovers
Current demand for matchbooks
Rear striker versus front striker matchbooks design changes (1973)
Back striker safety versus rear striker
Discovering unknown Route 66 history through match cover collecting
The ultimate Route 66 matchcover that Phil has spent 20+ years searching for
- Scherer's (estimated value $50)
The holy grail of matccovers outside of Route 66: Charles Lindbergh (estimated value several thousand)
The very first advertising: hand written matcbook covers
First commercial matchbook ever printed
Initial interest in posting matchovers online: Whiting brothers
Sharing matchcovers online with the whole world
Step by step process for uploading matchcovers
Popularity of matchbooks today with the decline of smoking
National organization of matchcover collectors