Exhibit showcases roadside memories

People of a certain age (OK, I mean old coots like me) will remember with great nostalgia the great, goofy, weird, kitschy, quirky, bizarre and just plain roadside attractions that were the norm on American highways.

Art deco motels and gas stations, teepees, roofs decorated with gigantic food items (doughnuts, hot dogs, cups of coffee), life-sized dinosaurs, totem poles, giant cowboy hats, Jurassic-sized fish and cafes offering all you can eat Rocky Mountain oysters.

I’ll bet many of you remember some quirky collections we had here in Michigan, including: Hedge’s Wig Wam, the giant stove at the fairgrounds, the four giant whipped cream containers on Michigan, the cow head on the dairy bar on Mack near Conner, the Gratiot Drive-In, and the Totem Pole, just to name a few.

(I still miss Burma Shave signs: “At a quiz...pa ain’t no whiz...but he knows how...to keep ma his...Burma Shave.”)

Unfortunately that kind of Americana started to disappear in the 1950s when the rapid but vapid interstate freeway system was created. That was followed by suburbs, malls and sprawl.

But John Margolies saw what was happening and decided to capture it before it all disappeared. Margolies devoted decades of his life to photographing America’s unique and creative roadside architecture.

“Roadside America: Through the Lens of John Margolies” is on display at The Henry Ford in Dearborn.

The exhibit, which runs through Jan. 24, includes photographs, slides and items recently acquired by the museum from the author’s collection of photos, diaries, pennants, postcards and luggage labels.

Inside the exhibit, viewers can learn more about the inspiration behind his collection, including the books and camera equipment he used. Visitors can view travel logs that Margolies collected via touch screen or step inside an oversized postcard for a photo.

Tickets are free if you are a member of The Henry Ford, otherwise it’s $18 for seniors (62 and older), $20 for adults (13-61), $15 for youths (5-12), free for children 4 and younger.

tgreenwood@detroitnews.com

(313) 222-2023

Metro Detroit roadwork

I-69: In Port Huron, from west of M-19 to east of Taylor Road has one lane open in each direction through Aug. 28.

I-75: In Detroit, NB and SB under Woodward has a lane closed for the M-1 Rail project through June.

I-75: In Detroit, the NB and SB ramps to Oakland and Woodward are closed until Oct. 2.

I-94/I-69: In Lapeer, EB has the left lane closed from Range to Lapeer through Aug. 15.

M-1 (Woodward): In Detroit, there are multiple lane closures between Alexandrine and Kirby street through Oct. 1 for M-1 Rail.

M-8 (Davison Fwy)/Oakland Ave: In Detroit, SB Oakland over the Davison Freeway is closed until Oct. 2 for bridge repairs.

M-15: In Clarkston, NB and SB will be closed from 9 a.m. until noon Saturday between Waldon and Miller for a community event.

M-29: In New Baltimore, the road will close between State and Mill streets from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. Sunday for a parade.

M-53 (Van Dyke): In Sterling Heights, NB and SB will have only two lanes open between 14 Mile and 18 Mile through September during the daytime. There will be only one lane open in each direction during overnights and weekends through Aug. 3.

M-85 (Fort): The road over the Rouge River between Oakwood and Miller, at the Detroit/Dearborn border, is closed through August.