John Steinbeck’s 1939 Pulitzer Prize winning novel, the Grapes of Wrath, tells the story of the unfortunate Joad family who leave their dustbowl ravaged farm in Oklahoma to travel U.S. 66 to California in search of jobs and a new life.
In 1940, the movie version of the Grapes of Wrath was released portraying their journey across U.S. 66. Starting in Oklahoma, the Joads made it through Texas and into New Mexico and a number of scenes depict New Mexico locations. The following images are extracted from the movie
In the image below, a car is shown at a cafe and filling station. The car has an unusual “Double Zia” New Mexico license plate and a New Mexico Van and Storage truck is seen in the background.
Next image shows the car has left and the Joads pulling in.
This cafe scene was shot in Santa Rosa. The scene shot in the cafe poignantly shows the Joads unable to afford 15 cents for a loaf of bread.
The next image is certainly Santa Rosa showing the train trestle across the Pecos River.
The next image shows the Joad family crossing the Pecos River bridge. A blooper here in that the Joads are shown headed east, the wrong way!
The next image is thought to be Laguna Pueblo. You can see the Joads framed by two posts of the hut and to the right, a Texaco gas station sign.
Finally, the Joads leave New Mexico as shown in the image below.
It is curious that it looks as though the pavement ends at the Arizona border although it is reported that 66 was paved end-to-end by 1937/1938 while the movie was filmed between October and November 1939.
The movie was nominated for an Oscar for Best Picture and John Ford won the Oscar for Best Director. Jane Darwell won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress as Ma Joad.
Historical Documents
This National Scenic Byway Corridor Management Plan was presented in 2009 by our board member, Cynthia Tidwell. (So proud!)
New Mexico was the first of all the states to earn status as a National Scenic Byway. This document helped offer other states a template to apply for their designation too. Click here to download a copy of the document.
Click here for an article from the National Parks about the history and significance of Route 66.