The Tragic Tale of Budville and Deadman's Curve on Route 66 in New Mexico

[@GuyReed-mh6sv]

My Dad was a trucker and we pulled off so he could sleep and woke up to snow. At 2am we had a snowball fight. Thanks for the memories.

[@MajorT0m]

Your dad pulled himself off?

[@toddabowden]

​@@MajorT0mHey, his mom was out of town and I was lonely

[@sabrinatscha2554]

That’s such a sweet story ignore these meatheads

[@Finder76]

My dad sold insurance, one day we drove to the store bc it was going to snow. We’ll long story short , that night we slept in our beds at home.

[@floranderson2251]

​@@sabrinatscha2554Meatheads😅😅😅😅😅😂

[@larrypaul8688]

Thanks Steve. You make armchair tourism fun.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Thank you.

[@LordOfThePancakes]

How about a cash donation to show your gratitude. Links in the description.

[@lauriechristmas5494]

Great Post . Love RT 66 .. BEST ADVENTURES EVER!! . Many vacations driven on this historic route ❤️❤️💯💯🌹🌹🙏🙏😃😃🎊🔥💯🤠🤠

[@pg1171]

It really is fun! And interesting!

[@barbharrington2903]

I turned 66 today so decided this is my Route 66 year….googled your videos….very good!

[@SuperWhatapain]

Happy late birthday wishes🎉

[@berniemcfadden7760]

Happy birthday 🎉

[@WillySmith-sd4em]

It's fascinating stretch of old 66. I've been on that stretch many times over the last 53 years. Thanks for another great video.

[@leeinwis]

liberals ruined it

[@Neil-ru7kw]

Hi Steve . In '78 after recently becoming an owner/operator in trucking , I decided to take as much of rt. 66 as I could on my way back to So. Cal from Witchita Falls Tx. I actually parked at dead man's and slept . Got up at sunrise and made coffee . That's a beautiful spot in person . Owl rock is close by . An older man I knew drove that highway from South Gate Ca. to Albuquerque and back from '49-'62 for a large carrier called ICX (Illinois-California-Express) . Also on google maps if you zoom down to the plateau above the curve you'll see remnants of a rock structure . Native American maybe ????? Take Care 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@muffs55mercury61]

ICX had a Phoenix terminal. One of many victims of trucking deregulation. I think they folded around 1983.

[@Neil-ru7kw]

@@muffs55mercury61 yep . He would go there and on over Yarnell to Albuquerque sometimes . His bro drove team for them and in '63 , right after they started cabover doubles was in a middle of night head-on with a station wagon , mom dad 4 of 5 kids dead . One 7 y.o boy I n the very back lived , broken arm and leg . Ken broke the the brake pedal off , got his sternum sholder blades and kneecap broken , co driver throw out of the bunk and injured . Ken never was able to go back driving . I was 13 when this happened . Take care 👍

[@muffs55mercury61]

@@Neil-ru7kw Yes by then it was longer hauls and bigger equipment and thus the interstates were needed more than ever. By the late 1960s and into the 1970s, Route 66 in Arizona (the longest stretches still in use) were becoming more lethal, usually from cars trying to pass a slower truck. Every three or four days and some instances sooner there was a massive wreck on Route 66 with multiple fatalities. The desert was last priority for the interstate building.

[@ancientsociety79]

Looks like the remains of a stone house/ranch. You can see it in the drone footage @8:31

[@xtbro78]

What a sad & tragic story from you truck drivers. I love the input the truckers make on this channel, they're the knights of the roadways. I drive a large RV and share roads with them constantly. The vast majority are extremely skilled & polite drivers.

[@cornwellstingray]

I look forward to these videos every week!

[@johnkeith2450]

Should have 1 million subscribers

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Glad you like them!

[@johnkeith2450]

@@saminaneen Yet here you are

[@johnnyfreedom3437]

It's not boring, it's relaxing for those of us that like to travel! Especially for those of us who can't travel anymore because of age and disability! So go look for something exciting you young whippersnapper! Always looking forward to the next one Steve!!

[@petehealy9819]

​@@saminaneen Fine, dingdong, so go watch some "Travels of the Rich & Famous" video jacked up with crappy hip-hop. 😂

[@kenbearsley8322]

Thank you Steve. As always, you do great history lessons. If my wife, myself and our children ever went to America, you and your wife would be our first choice for tour guides.

[@maribethrobison9009]

Hi, I am from Moriarty, the Whiting Brothers station as been refurbished, but no fuel is sold there, just and FYI, but it is pretty. Thank you for your videos, they bring me a lot of joy.

[@muffs55mercury61]

Great for pictures if you have a classic car.

[@Kevinville44]

It’s like watching a documentary with a perfect voice over and nice cinematic shots. Make ‘‘em a bit longer please..didn’t know Route 66 is so fascinating 😮

[@yzenynot]

Really like how you tied the deaths in budville to those attributed to dead man's curve. Excellent storytelling, as always.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Thank you.

[@kenuber4014]

Nice history lesson Steve. Thank you!

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@theinstructor2687]

My wife and I stopped in Budville, while on a road trip, about twenty years ago. The gas station / trading post property was for sale. I spoke with the seller and tried to negotiate a deal. But, the price they wanted was much higher than I felt it was worth and we were unable to make a deal. I liked that property and wished I could buy it. Oh well, shoulda, coulda, woulda, right? Thanks for another fun and interesting video. I always watch and enjoy your content.

[@rickbarrett4654]

A little slow LoL but exactly where is budville been on route 66 many times and drove it lost at this moment

[@dtna]

Thank you, Steve. Your videos allow me to see and hear the many stories of places that I would never see or go to. Keep it up!

[@rdmeenach]

Excellent story, voiceover and video work as always. Thanks so much Steve.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Thanks!

[@y00t00b3r]

@@SidetrackAdventures You could actually do voicework professionally, if so inclined. I can understand everything you speak.

[@glennfoster2423]

Budville had a reputation for being a "rip-off" location when a vehicle needed some TLC. In 1959 I rode with my grandparents and remember staying in Grants, west of San Fidel and Budville. The next morning my grandpa made certain we could easily drive from Grants through San Fidel, Budville, Laguna, and past the junction with the rickety-looking wooden bridge over the railroad to Belen then on to Albuquerque with no stops what-so-ever. Years later Budville (i.e. Mr.Budville himself) was instrumental, according to the talk over coffee, of getting the Anti-Bypass Law passed in Santa Fe in the legislature. That resulted in local towns (read Budville) having the ability to delay I-40 construction from East of Budville to west of San Fidel forcing vehicles to drive the two-lane US-66 highway. That went on for a few years in the '60s long after the Interstate avoided the junction with NM route 6, deadmans curve, Owl rock and Laguna. Another short piece of the old highway is at the NM -Texas border at San Jon.

[@hazcat640]

STEVE! "Dead Mans' Curve' Immediately brought the Jan and Dean song to mind.

[@ROGER2095]

And now I can't get it out of my head!

[@Neil-ru7kw]

As a so cal native , I and some friends drove to d m c in '66 . Also saw Jan and dean live at least 5× around so. cal 👍

[@jenniferanne4143]

The Jan & Dean song is about 'dead man's curve" on Mulholland

[@hazcat640]

@@jenniferanne4143 Yes, I know but anytime you talk about a 'dead mans curve' it brings that song to my mind. Doesn't matter which one.

[@baltijoslietuvis4642]

​@@Neil-ru7kw You are fortunate! You saw them before '66? Never able to see J & D but had a great time at a Beach Boys concert in '87 at Duke's Stadium Albuscratchy, NM.

[@rustypugh123]

LOVE LOVE LOVE❤ this. One of my favorite sections of Route 66. I was just through there a couple of years ago. Thank you for doing these. Your videos are great.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Thank you. Yeah, I think New Mexico and Arizona might be the two best Route 66 states.

[@rustypugh123]

@@SidetrackAdventures agreed

[@babyrazor6887]

Drove the entire route 66 back in 73 in my Studebaker coupe on my way to L.A. it was quite an adventure, pretty scenic too.

[@sydneymartin952]

Awesome video thank you, you do amazing videos and I appreciate them all. I've been to many of the places you have been to when I was younger but now I can't travel so I live through your videos. Many bring back great memories and others I wish I had been able to go to. Again thank you for what you do

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Thank you, I appreciate it.

[@Adrenaline416]

Just saw this and thought I'd share a quick bit of info. I'm a fashion photographer and wanted to get permission to who a photoshoot there. I went there in 2012 and knocked on the door. A guy named Aaron (I think) answered and was living there at the time, and the place was much cleaner and kept up. No broken windows, no boards, no weeds etc. Even one of the old gas pumps was still there. We chatted for a bit and he told me he lived there, or was the owner or something. He was totally fine with me setting up a production shoot there. He gave me his number so that I could call him when I was ready to come back and do the shoot, but I just never got around to it. Your video made me think of that day, but until now I never knew the creepy history. I thought you or anyone find it interesting that a guy was indeed living there awhile back and it looked more in tact at that time. I still have a few photos I took of the exterior of the property that day which he gave me permission to shoot. Nice guy. I'll bet he was surprised that I had no idea of the history of that place; I just thought it looked like a great location.

[@cokesquirrel]

Cool story man

[@davidhorting1613]

Absolutely love the “Off the beaten path” locations and obscure history that will be soon lost if not brought back into the light. Great job and always look forward to the Route 66 information for trip planning. 👍

[@davidjames6879]

I amd constantly amazed and intrigued by the stories and roads you find. I don't klnow eactly you locate such lore, but keep on doing it!

[@eileendaly13]

Having done Route 66 a few times from Chicago to LA I find these videos interesting and make me get out the journal I completed on the first trip in 1997 when more of the road was drive able.On this occasion I was fortunate to talk to an elderly lady whose father helped build the road.She told me of the problems they had getting it built. Carry on making these.

Thanks for the story. It was fascinating.

[@CaptainSouthbird]

Someday I'd love to visit some of these places. You do such a good job making them interesting! I've never been further west than about Minnesota, so all of this is completely unexplored territory for me.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

If you get the chance, I recommend it. Everything is so much more spread out in the west, you can drive for hours just looking at the scenery with no real towns.

[@jtc1964x]

This literally is my favorite site on KZbin. I have ridden or driven Route 66 over 3 dozen times starting as a baby in 1966 and continuing until it was gone! So many GREAT memories

[@Contessa6363]

I have a picture of that when I drove from Texas to California!! I'm from CA and was raised in the haunted gold mining part of the San Joaquin Valley. Love this stuff!!❤❤

[@thesarge4457]

Enjoyed today's video. Thank You Sir. THE SARGE

[@dennisgoodnight2029]

Another great video! Thanks Steve.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Thank you.

[@Hobotraveler82]

Thanks Steve for sharing. Rt 66 is on my itinerary for a future roadtrip. 😊

[@douglas_drew]

I look forward to your own video of "Buddy Visits Budville".

[@johnfake2739]

I've just discovered your channel. It is great! The best story telling via any medium comes from people with reverence for their subjects over and above promoting themselves, or getting off on being a KZbin celebrity, writer, film maker, whatever. You do a great job: simple, straight forward, well researched, fact oriented and put together in a way that leads your audience's interest along at just the right pace ... and its about the subject matter, not about you. Great work!

[@chipsatterly4902]

Great story!! Always interesting to hear The Truth about the "stories." Thanks!!

[@davidmussack4529]

Really cool. I’ve been on that section of I-40 many times, but never Route 66.

[@roberthenry9319]

Marvelous, as always. Thank you.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Thank you.

[@gus473]

Thank you, Steve! Always was curious about both spots! 😎✌️

[@northsongs]

"some people claim this place is haunted ..." It outta be! Great story and presentation. Thanks!

[@Lizerator]

So interesting, have seen this place for many years, never knew it's history

[@SidetrackAdventures]

It's a really cool looking building for pictures. I'm glad its still in good shape.

[@RetroRobbin59]

Thanks Steve! Always looking forward to your videos

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Thank you. I appreciate it.

[@Stranglewood]

Great video, as always. I'd heard the story of the original murders before, but didn't know about the second shooting. Thems was violent times, in New Mexicy.

[@kplante7881]

Really good. Thanks for sharing…!

[@SidetrackAdventures]

My pleasure!

[@Opalsdad]

I super look forward to every video you put out!! I always enjoy watching your take on a location!

[@RetroRobbin59]

Coffee and Misadventures!

[@lindagrimmett6564]

I look forward to you videos as well because I know nothing about the areas your videos are showing. Thank you Steve!

[@dwight7651]

So many people are enjoying your videos...... Always nice to see a new one 😊

[@berniemcfadden7760]

Awesome video. I can't wait to stop there on my journey nx year to celebrate the centennial of the mother road in my 1966 Chevy Corvair.

[@charkswitlazers]

That stretch of US66 with Deadman’s Curve… I took that road once a couple years ago in my semi when 40 was shut down. I recognized it instantly. It was a bit tight. Never knew the history behind it. Thanks!

[@williamwilliam728]

Bloodvile seems cursed. Deadman's curve looks awesome from the drone view. Fantastic topography. Great historic video Steve.

[@brentnearhood8874]

Thanks! Steve 🚗

[@SidetrackAdventures]

You're welcome.

[@steveludwig4200]

Really cool and gruesome story I had not heard.....and I drove by there just last week! Thanks Steve ....from Steve....

[@rtalways]

Love the road video

[@hobbyfarmer62]

How insane that the one fatality was a pedestrian involved accident in such a remote area

[@JD-wu3li]

Not so remote. About a mile west is the village of Laguna and 2 miles southeast is the village of Mesita , both on the Laguna Reservation. Back then it was not unusual for tribal members to walk from village to village. I do remember the moniker Dead Man’s Curve but never heard of any auto accidents occurring there. Traveled that stretch many times.

[@brucebarnes9638]

Great job Steve. Reminds me of the song "dead man's curve" by Jan and Dean in the 1960s.

[@franciscoflores7911]

Thanks for providing informative and interesting lunch time viewing videos.

[@SpanishEclectic]

Dude! Thanks for braving snow to film for us! This story sounds like one of those Swedish films where everybody dies in a tiny rural town in the middle of nowhere. LOL about Budweiser in Budville.

[@heyoldman2003]

so that was snow ?

[@revvyhevvy]

​@heyoldman2003 It's a little different in that area, I guess.

[@IEchuckie]

What did you think it was instant potatoes?

[@sjs1965442]

Thanks Steve - fascinating story.

[@brandonexploredthis]

I love all the details you put into your videos man! I want to go here soon too!

[@excursion_point]

Dear Steve waiting for your vlog each day to know new tales and journeys, yes becoming indeed exploring with your vlog. Love from Middle East

[@Jackg1949]

I love your videos Steve, they are interesting, well informed and your articulate and soothing voice does my PTSD well for this old vet….thanks again, Jack

[@allan9603]

Excellent narration Steve! Just joined and look for more adventures.

[@michellerene951]

That's crazy, my grandmother's name was Flossie. Very cool video Steve!

[@edstallard4931]

I've driven by Budville numerous times on I-40, but never knew this amazing history. Thanks for sharing Steve.

[@wschart]

In 1967 I was a student at UNM in Albuquerque. I don’t remember this incident, although I’m sure it was in the news. When I started in fall of 1964, the interstate only ran from Carlisle out to Tijeras Canyon. Not sure when it was extended to the west.

[@RobertBitzer]

"I promise, next time no murders" 😂. Very interesting video, every dilapidated abandoned building has a story to tell... Thanks for telling them!

[@revvyhevvy]

That was great line!

[@richardmcgrew2167]

That is quite a curve.

[@KB6YAF]

Thanks Steve for yet another great video……signed ….Another addicted old guy to this channel…..Russell D.

[@travelingman21000]

Thank you for another bit of little known America history. If your ever in McLean, Texas stop at the The Devil's Rope Museum. There a large room inside that has the most historical information on Route 66 that I've ever seen!

[@heroknaderi]

I enjoyed the adventure. Very interesting finds

[@thomasmcdaniel6264]

I got a teaching job in Las Vegas from 86 until 89. I drove from Kansas City to Las Vegas and I was able to drive about 60 Mi of old Route 66 through Seligman. A wonderful step back in time❤

[@jaydee3046]

The road from Barstow CA to Ft Irwin had a curve named Deadmans. The road was realigned and bypassed the curve decades ago. One of my relatives passed away around 16 years ago, and we found a skull and crossbones sign from the curve in his stuff. I donated it to the Ft Irwin museum.

[@RagDraggo]

Speaking of that road from Barstow CA to Ft. Irwin,,, I believe that stretch of road (that use to be known as Deadmans curve) is now call "The JackHammer". From Oct, 2010 to June, 2012 I was stationed as a civilian DoD contracted worker at Ft. Irwin. I lived in Barstow CA at the time,, and as I commutted,, I did that drive EVERY day. Was part of a van pool. I always looked forward to climbing UP it in the late afternoon (going home) cause that was the sign we were getting close to Barstow. I wasn't living/(working) there at the time but I remember one cold Wintry afternoon (February, 2009) a snow blizzard blew through,, just North of Barstow. It made the Jackhammer stretch of road UNpassable. Lots of workers (Military and Civilian) were stranded there at Fort Irwin overnight,, and couldn't get home to Barstow (or Victorville,, wherever they lived).

[@chaytonharmon2037]

Damn fort irwin fucking sucks bro, next time I’m there for NTC I’ll stop by the museum and check it out

[@j.b.a.124]

Thank you for taking us along. Been on I-40 many times since the 1970s but never on the original Hwy 66. Greetings from Florida.

[@michaelsimonds2632]

What a sad story.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Yeah. No one was ever convicted of any of the killings too!

[@tracyphillips3325]

Great video. Wonderful channel.

[@andrewwebb17]

Wow I was at Budville 2 weeks ago We almost crossed paths Great story

[@stanleybridge]

Thanks, Steve!

[@impalaman4546]

Great video thanks for sharing

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Thank you.

[@bulldogstrut1]

That is quite a story. Thanks for sharing.

[@jbcope1000]

Great video! I always wonder about places like this. You give the real history. Very interesting.

[@Ken-h9k]

Wow , the music and the way you told the story......I felt as if I was actually there while everything happened.

[@LaVaqueraMarin]

GREAT! KEEP IT COMING!!!!!

[@fj9460-lr]

I was born and now live in New Mexico, I’ve been through Budville many times and didn’t know it’s story until now; thanks for enlightening me in the Land of Enchantment 👍🏼

[@kennycraven2648]

Great stories. Thank you.

[@CactusAtlas]

Man, nutty weather. So many small towns with murder stories. 😢

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Yeah. About an hour later it was snowing so much I could hardly see on the road. Not the weather I'm used to in San Diego for sure.

[@barbaracharette6923]

I love your trips around Arizona! We have only lived here for 4 years but the history you tells us about is so great! Thank you

[@wheressteve]

I really enjoy seeing the places and hearing the stories of places I will never get to visit. Thank you !

[@CameronMcCreary]

Thanks Steve for this presentation. Some evil people just like to kill another person (s) for very little reason. It happens all too frequently. Here in California there are two (2) "dead man's curves" that I know of. The one is on the Palos Verdes peninsula and the other is on Route 66 on the way to the desert.

[@semiproactive9625]

Thanks Steve. I've learned to get my work done first, then sit down and watch this weeks production. Happy Humpday.

[@daveharris2884]

I really appreciate these videos each week. I know it sounds kind of sad, but it is the only thing that keeps me going.

[@blanton1624]

I just love these types of historical videos with a good story to go with it. Thanks for another great video, Steve. 👍

[@Contessa6363]

Very cool! 😎😎 Just found your channel ❤

[@jokerquinn104]

THANK YOU ..THANK YOU..I LIKE YOU VLOGS .. NO DIRTY TALK. CLEAN STORIES... WHOLESOME. ..!☺️😁

[@m.b.88]

Great video, well done!

[@WhiskyForBeginners]

It is so cool that you started the video at an old Whiting Bros. station. Years ago, when I was a kid, we'd go on vacation from Azusa to our 20 acres in Lanfair Valley, and on the way back we'd always stop at the Whiting Bros. station in Newberry Springs (this was before I-40). Several years later we lived on the desert, north of Goffs, and we'd stop there when we visited LA (the freeway hadn't yet killed the station). I think Whiting Bros. had one of the coolest logos ever.

[@ELMS]

These videos are always a KZbin highlight of mine. Thanks Steve!

[@ivanpulido390]

i love watching these kinds of videos!!

[@stefanschneider3681]

Thanks for your careful research and introduction to forgotten stories, even when they are sometimes on the more bloody side 😱

[@JeffK.]

Steve, I was amused to see a SoCal boy like yourself braving a windy snowstorm at the beginning. Not the weather you're used to, I'm sure. Thanks for all of your entertaining stories.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

About an hour later the weather got much worse and everything was white. I was thinking I picked the wrong time to take the trip! Once I got past Albuquerque the weather got much better though.

[@marianotorrez179]

Hello! I'm from NM and watching the movie "Cars" and "Radiator Springs " always reminded me of Budville and Cubero of old 66

[@DannyShipley-rb4nj]

I always look down at budville….passing thru…curious, Now that I seen ur vlog…it’s interesting…thanks for gathering the INFO

[@markhiller5037]

Thank you Steve for showing the history of the southwest on these adventures. My work took me out to that area several times but that was it just work. Your videos have me wanting to visit because I'm getting ready to travel again.

[@tillross4078]

Dang that was crazy ,, such a beautiful area, a real transient place , everyone is from somewhere else ,, Great job on Coverage , Thanks for sharing 👍

[@ronbdallas]

Your story telling is getting very good.