Gorillas, Coal Mines & Fried Chicken: Exploring the Jefferson Highway in Crawford County, Kansas

Celebrate Pittsburg, Kansas' 150th Anniversary Year with this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Historic Jefferson Highway" Podcast exploring the history, culture, food, music, and heritage of Crawford County in Southeast Kansas—just in time for America 250, the Route 66 Centennial, and the upcoming Crossroads of America Centennial Conference. Featured guest is Chris Wilson, Marketing & Communications for Explore Crawford County and Treasurer of Southeast Kansas Tourism. Travel the original Jefferson Highway through Crawford County as Chris shares stories about historic road alignments, original concrete pavement, century-old iron bridges, Lincoln Park's Jefferson Highway campsite, and the remarkable preservation efforts taking place throughout the region. The conversation also explores Pittsburg's rich coal mining heritage, the famous Amazon Army march, Big Brutus, colorful murals, public art, museums, genealogy research, and the diverse immigrant cultures that helped shape Southeast Kansas. Discover why the area is famous for its legendary fried chicken restaurants, live music, local breweries, scenic backroads, and authentic small-town experiences. Don't forget the Crossroads of America Centennial Conference, taking place September 19–22, 2026, in Joplin, Missouri, including the conference's popular Sociability Caravan motor tours celebrating the Jefferson Highway and Route 66, including Crawford County! Learn more about Crawford County in Southeast Kansas: https://explorecrawfordcounty.com/ The Jefferson Highway Association originally founded the Jefferson Highway in 1915. This international highway—also known as "The Pines to the Palms Highway"—runs from Winnipeg, Canada, to New Orleans, Louisiana. More: https://jeffersonhighway.org/ Plan your journey with the Jefferson Highway Travel Guide: https://www.jeffersonhighwaytravelgui... 📰 Subscribe to the Jefferson Highway Dispatch: https://jeffersonhighwaydispatch.subs... The Big Blend Radio "Historic Jefferson Highway" Podcast airs every fourth Thursday (except holidays). Follow the show at: https://jefferson-highway.podbean.com/ CHAPTERS 00:00 Welcome to Crawford County & Pittsburg, Kansas 04:43 Following the Original Jefferson Highway 07:06 Jefferson Highway Markers & Lincoln Park 07:57 Coal Mining, the Amazon Army & Big Brutus 09:16 Pittsburg's 150th Birthday & America 250 10:39 Murals, Art & Community Events 12:41 Exploring Crawford County Communities 18:41 Famous Fried Chicken Traditions 22:27 Local Food, Music & Breweries 27:40 Museums, Heritage & Local Stories 29:25 Immigration, Coal Mining & Cultural Heritage 32:48 Genealogy, Cemeteries & Historic Preservation 33:40 Exploring Crawford County 34:41 Closing Thoughts #JeffersonHighway #PittsburgKansas #CrawfordCounty #America250 #Route66Centennial #HistoricHighways #RoadTripUSA #AmericanaTravel #KansasTravel #HeritageTourism #CoalMiningHistory #ExploreKansas #TravelPodcast #BigBlendRadio #JeffersonHighwayTravelGuide