You never know where you’ll find that unexpected beauty.  Early in my Panhandle Tour I discovered the beautiful little town of Canadian, Texas where the river runs small but sweet and they make awesome cherry pie.  Today after highly satisfying library shows in the sweet towns of Borger and Pampa, I discovered McLean.

Sitting on the old “Mother Road”, Route 66, McLean boasts the first Phillips 66 retail outlet in Texas.  According to TexasEscapes.com, this is “the  most photographed property along Route 66.  Totally not surprising once you see it.

The Devil’s Rope Museum in McLean is a fascinating little find.  It has the usual museum trappings of old school books, vintage clothes, dishes and farm equipment, but it also possesses  a few items of sheer awesomeness.  The fire truck, of course – I love old firetrucks.

There was some very interesting information about the German POW camp that was in McLean during WWII.  Located two miles north of the city,  the camp eventually held more than 3,000 prisoners in 25 or so buildings.  They arrived on the train and were marched through the city streets to the encampment, where they were apparently model prisoners.  A book on the subject was written by Delbert Trew and is still available at: trewblue@centramedia.net

The train made all things possible in those days.  Did you know that at the turn of the century, McLean Texas boasted the title of “Watermelon Capitol of the World”?  Me either – but take a gander at these great photos:

and of course what would train information be without a train wreck to go along with it:

McLean, Texas – great little find.