September’s column was about the interstate highway system in the United States. Dwight D. Eisenhower had the idea of an interstate system after his time in the Army.
While in the Army, he traveled across the US, and it took him 62 days! He then spent some time in Germany, where he saw the beginnings of the Autobahn and began to see the need for a highway system in the United States. Some of his reasons were for military defense, others were to increase the economy and for future growth of the country. All these ideas sounded great on paper, but the interstate system was not seen as a great idea by everyone.
The movie Cars (Pixar 2006) is a great example of the negative effect the interstate system had on several small towns. Before the interstate system, people traveled on roads such as Route 66, which was the first “highway.” It stretched from Chicago, Illinois to Santa Monica, California.
When it was completed in 1938, it was just a two-lane road and the speed limit ranged from 25-45 miles per hour. Back then, people took their time getting to their destination.
As a result, several small towns, like Radiator Springs, became tourist stops along the way. There were small, unique shops, restaurants, motels, and gas stations all along the route. When the new interstate system was built, it went around these small towns and, as a result, many of these businesses were forced to close.
In large cities, the interstate also had a negative effect. The way the interstate system was designed literally cut through neighborhoods to make room for the new roads. According to the Department of Transportation, it is estimated that 475,000 homes were destroyed and over one million people were displaced in the 1950s and 1960s.
Many of the people that were forced to move were from poor, minority families. Some of the leaders of the Civil Rights Movement felt that this was done to further segregate the African American community. This is still happening today when new sections of roads are built but community leaders are more aware of the impacts on the people who are being affected and have come up with ways to help the people being forced to move.
Overall, the interstate system in the United States is an amazing design. It is a way to easily move our military, if ever needed. It has helped our economy grow by making goods and supplies easier to get.
But with all massive projects, there are always positive effects and negative effects. The full impact of the interstate system will not be clear for many decades. What do you think travel will look like in 50 years? 100 years?
KIDS IN THE KITCHEN APPLE CRISPS
Ingredients:
• 4 McIntosh apples (cored and sliced ⅛ to ¼ inch thick)
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar (can be omitted)
• cooking spray
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Add the sliced apples to a large bowl; then coat the apples with the cinnamon and/or sugar.
3. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray or line one with parchment paper; then line the apples flat on the pan. (You may need to use two pans so that they do not overlap).
4. Bake 2-3 hours until the chips are dry yet still a bit soft. Allow them to cool completely before placing them in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Night Driving
by John Coy
Share the journey of a father and son as they drive through the night. They must keep an
Q. What has 10 letters and starts with G-A-S?
A. Automobile
Q. What travels from coast to coast without ever moving?
A. The highway!
May the road rise with you. = Go n-éirí on bóthar leat (pron: go nigh-ree on boat-or lat)
Megan Lardie
*Megan is a Reading Intervention educator with the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. She has a BA from Hiram College and BA+ from Ashland University. She resides in Avon Lake with her husband, Joe, and their five children. She can be reached at [email protected].
