Christopher Perks

HIST 4000, Roadside Architecture

Dr. D. Morrill

Book Review 1

            Main Street to Miracle Mile: American Roadside Architecture, written by Chester H. Liebs, looks at the impact of the automobile on the American landscape and the radical change in the way of life for millions of people over a relatively short period of time.  The advantages of the automobile seemed endless to Americans.  Liebs states that, “this freedom to start, stop, or change direction at will made the automobile more than a means of moving from one place to another.”  Liebs goes on to demonstrate how the automobile changed living, shopping and recreation patterns of Americans by changing their environment.  Prior to the mass production of the automobile, Americans lived primarily within a short distance to Main Street and railroad junctions.  The explosion of the automobile made it possible to live farther and farther from the traditional centers of American life.  Liebs tries to demonstrate this process through a detailed account of how the growth of the automobile industry and its impact on people can be traced by looking through what he calls “windshield movie.” 

            Liebs explains how the automobile transformed the environment by tracing the evolution of Gas Stations, Supermarkets, Motels and other staples of the American roadways.  He tackles a topic that is right in front of each of us, yet has not be fully explored.  He ventures to say that one can read the pulse of the country over the last 100 years by watching the evolution of automobile industry and the industries automobiles created.  For example, the increased awareness throughout the United States during the 1960s about the possible adverse impact humans have on the environment can be seen in the building patterns of roadside commercial venues like gas stations.     

            Main Street to Miracle Mile examines an issue that most people take for granted and Liebs makes an admirable attempt to keep the readers engaged.  However, he is repetitious at times, which compels me to believe that his topic can only be taken so far without becoming so specific that the casual reader may find difficult to finish.  Overall, Liebs presents us with much evidence to support his argument that the automobile changed the way Americans and the world operates.