The Autry National Center: Los Angeles

        While running around LA last weekend, the Mayor had occasion to stop at a well known museum in the heart of town.  The Greatest Generation, those who lived during WW II and participated in defeating fascism, knew the singing cowboy: Gene Autry.   Mr. Autry had fame and fortune bestowed on him as a result of starring roles in that Hollywood fave- the Western.
     Mostly shot in black and white, the cowboys chased stagecoach bandits, cattle rustlers, saloon toughs, and more than a few "redskins", aka Indians, aka Sioux, Apache, Comanche, etc.  The heroes wore white(beige) hats, the bad guys black hats(and black shirts, pants, bandanas).  Gene Autry had matinee idol good looks, a decent singing voice, could strum a guitar, and ride a horse without falling off; a successful combination in prewar Hollywood.
     Mr. Autry was also an astute businessman with sharp intellect and good timing, he was able to amass quite a fortune during his lifetime, most of which came from real estate investments in southern California.  Early on in his career, he collected art and artifacts from the American west: native American tribal artifacts and utilitarian objects unique to tribe and territory.   Recognizing the sharp decline of native cultures in the West, he made a special effort to preserve the rich history of the indigenous peoples as told through their own art.  Finally, he put his collection together in the Autry Museum of the American West.   What a treasure!
     It is now called the Autry National Center as it has merged with other institutions that were similar in goals.   The beautiful building that houses portions of the collection is set against the Santa Monic mountains in Los Angeles.   Most recently the museum featured an exhibition dedicated to Highway 66 or Route 66 as it was often called.   Built to connect Chicago with the west coast, the highway followed a track that led directly to LA, passing through the Great Plains, the Rocky Mountains, the Painted Desert, and finally to the Golden State.   All along the route were little hotels and restaurants that sprung up out of the sand to provide travelers with all their needs: food, rest stops, water, maps, directions, medicines, and of course, gasoline for their vehicles.  Americans traveled by car now; horses gone forever.   Photos taken alone the route provided a glimpse of Americana as the population moved westward in huge numbers to the land of palm trees, orange groves, and a shimmering sea(surfing came later).   It is a well done show.
    Also on display is an exhibition of Native American beadwork that includes clothing and other objects used by tribes across the country. 
      This museum is a must see for anyone interested in American art and history.