Main Street to Miracle Mile : American Roadside Architecture
▻https://libguides.unm.edu/c.php?g=454788&p=3106554
Main Street to Miracle Mile: American Roadside Architecture was first published in 1985 and established the twentieth century roadside landscape as a subject for serious study. In the book Chester H. Liebs traces the transformation of commercial development as it moved from centralized main streets, out along the street car lines, to form the “miracle miles” and shopping malls of the late 20th century. After setting the special context for this development, he examines the evolution of what he call “Architecture for Speed Reading” followed by chapters on a variety of roadside commercial building types from auto showrooms and drive-in theaters to restaurants, motels and supermarkets. Today the work continues to be relevant as the United States reassesses the many challenges posed by decentralized suburban sprawl.