When we first started imagining a train book tour to launch Appetite for America our dream was to go from Chicago to LA on the train–just like Fred and Ford often did–stopping at major historical venues and big bookstores along the way. We hoped to start at the Chicago History Museum and end at the Autry National Center, where the curatorial staff had helped me do some crucial research for the book–even though I had never been there. So our last day of train tour at the Autry was especially wonderful, because the launch of the book was complete (and we had survived speaking in 11 cities in 16 days) and the Autry is just a fantastic place (which many travelers and locals have yet to discover, but should.)

The timing was also perfect–they just opened an extraordinary show called Home Lands: How Women Made the West, which included a rare La Fonda Harvey Girl costume for Santa Fe fiesta (adorned with Indian symbols–including a spot where someone had obviously removed a traditional swastika after it took on a new meaning during WWII) and some of the most inventive exhibit designs I’ve ever seen. Thanks to Jasmine Aslanyan, the manager of the Autry’s great store for inviting us to speak there (and for the lovely parting gifts which were “so Jas”), to director Stephen Aron for being such a great host (loved the Harvey fried chicken and slaw at the cafe) and to Kim Walters and the curatorial and photo staffs who helped us dramatize Ford’s eye-opening journey in 1901 that forever changed the way he, and Americans, viewed the Southwest.

We had a big crowd at the Autry, over 100 people (they had to add more chairs because people kept coming), and a lot of Harvey history in the room. Diane sat between Victoria Vanderbilt, one of Fred’s great-great-grandchildren, and John Kander, the great-grandson of Fred’s top executive, Dave Benjamin. Architect Frances Shloss, Dave’s granddaughter, was also there, regaling us with great stories (and the promise of some new documents I’m hoping she’ll send–the search for FH history never ends.)

Here’s a shot from the event: I’m signing a book for Dan Greenwald who has quite a Harvey lineage–his mom was a Harvey Girl at Los Angeles Union Station, which is where she met his dad, who ran the Fred Harvey bookstore there. It’s from the Autry’s blog, which also has a Fred page with other shots.

This article is copyright © 2024