Barbed Wire Museum: Maclean, Texas

Devil’s Rope

Barbed wire, also called ‘devil’s rope’ “forever altered the development of the American West” (wikipedia).

History

Joseph Glidden was one of the original inventors and was awarded the patent after a legal battle. When he died he was one of the richest men in the US.

I didn’t know anything about the history or importance of barbed wire, so I was quite suprised to see a museum dedicated to it as I made my way through Texas a few years ago.

Devil’s Rope Museum

The Devil’s Rope Museum in Mclean, Texas is the self-proclaimed “largest barbed wire historic museum in the world”. Yes, there are two other museum (Kansas, Illinois); as well as associations in Kansas, New Mexico, Nebraska, and Colorado.) The website is a great resource if you are interested in learning about the history of barbed wire, the old west, and Route 66.

You can learn about the history and many uses of barbed wire at the Devil’s Rope Museum. My favorite part was the barbed wire art – very cool sculptures made out of barbed wire.

They also have a small (but crowded) Route 66 museum (one of many that exist along the route).

They also have gift shop where you can get museum souvenirs, as well as Route 66 stuff. I brought some Devil’s Rope magnets and key chains home to my friends and they were a hit because the museum is so unique, no one I know had ever heard of it. Discoveries like this are my favorite part about road trips.

Mclean, Texas

Photo: Texas Old Route 66 Association (at Devil’s Rope museum site).

At the height of Route 66′s popularity for cross-country trips, Mclean was thriving. When Interstate 40 was built, it replaced parts of Route 66. Interstate 40 bypassed Mclean, which now has a very small population.

Roadside Attractions Nearby

Heading west from Mclean along the Route 66 path, you will come across Groom’s leaning water tower and one very big roadside cross.

Except where otherwise credited, all other photos copyright 2010 T.Bennett.