I wish Phil did long form content. He's always very entertaining and informative, but I'm always left wanting more. And I know this story of Breezewood (and early American highways) has more meat...
I wish Phil did long form content. He's always very entertaining and informative, but I'm always left wanting more. And I know this story of Breezewood (and early American highways) has more meat on it than what we got in the video.
But anyway, none of this video is a surprise to me because I live in PA and have driven through Breezewood quite a few times over the years. I kind of resent the meme it's become, because while it's not the most pleasant place on earth, it's often used with stupid headlines like "death of American smalltowns" or "American main street" or something along those lines. And it's not even indicative of Pennsylvanian small towns or main streets, let alone American ones.
Also, that map at 4:20 is interesting. Or maybe it's just planned routes that change. 40 does extend to Baltimore, but 70 does not go to DC (it follows 40 to Baltimore). Instead it's 270 that connects Frederick to DC.
YouTuber Phil Edwards visits Breezewood, Pennsylvania, the source of this meme. He discusses the history behind the photograph, the town, and the highway policy that made the town what it is. I...
YouTuber Phil Edwards visits Breezewood, Pennsylvania, the source of this meme. He discusses the history behind the photograph, the town, and the highway policy that made the town what it is.
I posted in ~travel since the video is about a travel hub and American highway policy. If it fits better somewhere like ~history, feel free to move it.
I've been through Breezewood three times. Twice like 15yrs ago when my friends and I drove from Chicago to DC and back. And then last year, when I moved from Kansas City to DC. Navigating...
I've been through Breezewood three times. Twice like 15yrs ago when my friends and I drove from Chicago to DC and back. And then last year, when I moved from Kansas City to DC. Navigating Breezewood with a moving truck was fun /s
While I would prefer if I-70/76 connected directly to I-70, it also doesn't affect me that much. Clearly I don't drive through it often.
On the otherhand, I can understand the worry that residents and business owners of Breezewood have if the town is bypassed. Across the country, there are strings of towns on non-Interstate highways that have been decimated when an Interstate bypassed them. Historic US Route 66 is probably the most well-known highway where this has happened repeatedly. Though some towns are still hanging on. Winslow, AZ comes to mind (thanks to the Eagles, and of course the local residents). It has a cute little downtown; definitely worth stopping, walking around, and peaking into the local shops!
One of the more recent locations that I'm aware of where a bypass has opened is Boulder City, NV, just southeast of Las Vegas. US-93, which runs through Las Vegas and then south towards Phoenix, AZ, is the most direct route between the two metros. I think these are the two largest neighboring cities in the US that aren't connected via Interstate.
US 93 runs right through Boulder City as a local street. Not quite Breezewood, but same idea. But back in I think 2018, I-11 from Vegas towards the AZ-NV border was opened which completely bypasses Boulder City. I have not been through Boulder City since 2018 before I-11 opening, so I'm curious what US 93 in-town looks like now. Though apparently a year later in 2019, the bypass wasn't so bad for the town.
I wish Phil did long form content. He's always very entertaining and informative, but I'm always left wanting more. And I know this story of Breezewood (and early American highways) has more meat on it than what we got in the video.
But anyway, none of this video is a surprise to me because I live in PA and have driven through Breezewood quite a few times over the years. I kind of resent the meme it's become, because while it's not the most pleasant place on earth, it's often used with stupid headlines like "death of American smalltowns" or "American main street" or something along those lines. And it's not even indicative of Pennsylvanian small towns or main streets, let alone American ones.
Also, that map at 4:20 is interesting. Or maybe it's just planned routes that change. 40 does extend to Baltimore, but 70 does not go to DC (it follows 40 to Baltimore). Instead it's 270 that connects Frederick to DC.
YouTuber Phil Edwards visits Breezewood, Pennsylvania, the source of this meme. He discusses the history behind the photograph, the town, and the highway policy that made the town what it is.
I posted in ~travel since the video is about a travel hub and American highway policy. If it fits better somewhere like ~history, feel free to move it.
I've been through Breezewood three times. Twice like 15yrs ago when my friends and I drove from Chicago to DC and back. And then last year, when I moved from Kansas City to DC. Navigating Breezewood with a moving truck was fun /s
While I would prefer if I-70/76 connected directly to I-70, it also doesn't affect me that much. Clearly I don't drive through it often.
On the otherhand, I can understand the worry that residents and business owners of Breezewood have if the town is bypassed. Across the country, there are strings of towns on non-Interstate highways that have been decimated when an Interstate bypassed them. Historic US Route 66 is probably the most well-known highway where this has happened repeatedly. Though some towns are still hanging on. Winslow, AZ comes to mind (thanks to the Eagles, and of course the local residents). It has a cute little downtown; definitely worth stopping, walking around, and peaking into the local shops!
One of the more recent locations that I'm aware of where a bypass has opened is Boulder City, NV, just southeast of Las Vegas. US-93, which runs through Las Vegas and then south towards Phoenix, AZ, is the most direct route between the two metros. I think these are the two largest neighboring cities in the US that aren't connected via Interstate.
US 93 runs right through Boulder City as a local street. Not quite Breezewood, but same idea. But back in I think 2018, I-11 from Vegas towards the AZ-NV border was opened which completely bypasses Boulder City. I have not been through Boulder City since 2018 before I-11 opening, so I'm curious what US 93 in-town looks like now. Though apparently a year later in 2019, the bypass wasn't so bad for the town.