Tales of the Road: Highway 61
and that cool, old ’46 Cadillac as they head down US Highway 61.
The Documentary
Cathy Wurzer takes you on a wondrous journey of Minnesota’s historic and iconic Highway 61 in her award winning book and film.
Made famous by the legendary singer Bob Dylan, Highway 61 winds its way from near the Canadian border to the southeastern corner of Minnesota. That’s 440 miles on a mostly two-lane highway that goes through some of Minnesota’s most stunning terrain. Along the way, Cathy tells you about the fascinating stories of the people and places she finds. Cathy is a true “road scholar.”
What happened next still tickles Cathy. Published in 2008, the book became a regional best seller, and the film, first aired in 2009, won two Emmy Awards and a national Golden Eagle CINE award.
There are fascinating stories along almost every mile of Highway 61 and they deserve to be told so Cathy’s packing the 1946 Cadillac and heading back on the road for a sequel. Cathy’s found stories that range from the history of what’s been called “The north wood’s answer to the Sistine Chapel” to the mystery surrounding a gangster, found dead along the highway in the 1930’s, but whose Red Wing. MN grave has fresh flowers on it even today.
What the introductory trailer above, then head over to Twin Cities PBS: TPT to watch the full documentary.
The Book
“Cathy Wurzer (I call her ‘Z’) and I have traveled a lot of roads in our long association. But none compares to this lovely trip, on my favorite road, with my favorite correspondent.”
