Join Historian Ken Scoville and Urban Planner Rebecca Ruopp aboard a vintage 1960s General Motors bus to explore the legacy of Tucson's automobile era with a journey down the Miracle Mile Strip, where the allure of the American road trip and mid-century modern design come alive. Miracle Mile, Oracle Road, and Drachman Street formed Tucson’s celebrated “Miracle Mile Strip” in the mid-20th century, becoming Arizona’s first divided highway in the 1930s. This iconic route, a gateway for travelers on Routes 80 and 89, fostered a unique landscape of motor lodges blending architectural styles from Southwestern romanticism to mid-century modernism.

Disembark at Ghost Ranch Lodge, where you’ll discover its famous neon sign inspired by Georgia O’Keeffe and learn about its national recognition for adaptive reuse as senior housing. Experience the neon glow, lush green courtyards, and timeless charm that once greeted travelers at legendary motor lodges like La Siesta, Frontier, and El Rancho.