Roadside Rest Stops

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I confess I’d never seen rest stops like those featured in this recent Wall Street Journal article about a photographer’s efforts to chronicle and preserve such places, at least on film.

Living in the eastern portion of the United States where the population is more dense, the typical rest stops I see are larger and less sparse.  For example, this one in Virginia is less than 10 years old and caters to a steady stream of traffic headed to our beaches in the southeastern portion of the state.

And these are not just “rest stops,” but rather denoted by the state of Virginia as “safety rest areas” and “welcome centers.”  This one, in New Kent County, built in 2003, is pretty elaborate and reflective of the colonial architectural style of the region.  I’ve never been really sure, however, why we need such elaborate facilities, especially since this one is close to exits that feature restaurants, gas stations and hotels.  But as others have pointed out to me, the tourism industry benefits from these locales, as they provide easy on/off stops from the highway with lots of information (brochures galore!) on local attractions.  Water Country USA here we come!

A few years back, when Virginia’s state government ran short of money, though, we also had a few “phantom rest stops” that consisted of a road from the highway, leading to a dirt area and nothing more.   The state managed to pave the entry and exit ways, but no buildings or actual rest stops were ever constructed in these locations.  Other rest stops were simply closed and gates put across the entryways to prevent travelers from stopping.  Some have since re-opened and others, like the one in New Kent County, have been newly built.

The experience in other states in the US has been similar – and the question is whether the rest stop will survive as more than a historical fixture.  Joanna Dowling, a historian and curator of rest stops, has devoted a website to their history and some of the debate on their future.  For a fun read, check out her writings here.

And then perhaps it’s time to pack up the car, and head out for the open road, with a few good stops planned along the way.

from Wheels Up! http://ift.tt/1niHbRH