The Modesto, USA Historic Gra!ti Cruise Route evolved over the years, eventually running north and south on McHenry Avenue. The original cruise route was 10th Street. It started as a back-and-forth run from “O” Street to “G” Street that happened every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night. Later, 10th Street became a one-way street and a loop was formed at 10th Street, “G” Street, 11th Street and "nally to “O” Street where Burge’s Drive-In would anchor the turn-around. Burge’s was the inspiration for Mel’s Cruise Stops Drive-In in American Gra!ti. Even though Burge’s and Al’s Drive-Ins no longer exist, the A&W Drive-In still features roller-skate 1 History of Modesto wearing car-hops, and the cool tunes from the ‘50s still ring from the speakers. 2 American Gra!ti Makes History 3 Evolution of the Cruise Route College Lucas Avenue Neville State Mc Henry Statue at 4 Nightclubs of the ‘50s and ’60s Needham Bros. Theatre Avenue Five Points 5 The Car Customizers

Avenue 17 th Street 6 Modesto Through the Ages - Arch 16 th Street 7 Modesto Music Scene Then & Now “O” Street 15 th Street 8 The “Drag” / Why Cruise

14 th “N” Street Street 9 Key Classic Cars

13 th Street 10 Car Clubs of the ‘50s and ’60s “M” Street 12 th 11 Modesto Feeds the World Street McHenry Mansion 12 The Cruise Police and Police Cars 11 th Burge’s Street 13 Gra!ti Summer Drive In 10 th (closed 1967) Street 14 The Drive-Ins 9 th Street 15 The High Schools of 1962 “L” Street 8 th Street McHenry Museum 16 Hometown Heroes

“K” Street 7 th Street 17 Downtown Culture, Art and Music “J” Street 6 th 18 The Music of American Gra!ti Street 19 George Lucas - The Early Years

“I” Street A&W Drive In 20 George Lucas - Visionary Filmmaker 21 Drag Racing “H” Street 22 Lucas Locations in Modesto Modesto “G” Street 10th Street Plaza “G” Street Gallo Center for the Arts 23 The Radio Stations 24 Modesto Community Experience 25 Movie Theaters Then & Now

Burge's Photo courtesy Belt Family Cruising returns every year to Downtown Modesto during our Gra!ti Summer, complete with classic car shows that draw vintage cars and celebrity guests from around the nation. The North Modesto Kiwanis Club has been instrumental in the Gra!ti Summer revival with the production of the American Gra!ti Car Parade, Show and Festival. Designed & Produced by ModestoView.com Welcome to Modesto USA We hope you'll have a rockin' good time on this Founded in 1870, nostalgic walk through history. We think you'll Modesto, USA is the also have some fun checking out these addi- Classic American City. tional driving tour locations. These are not Modesto has a rich history public places, so please enjoy them as a driving of agriculture, community, tour experience. Get your kicks on the Historic innovation and civic pride. Modesto Gra"ti Cruise Route! Modesto has been the George Lucas center of the development of irriga- Historical Locations tion, food production and home to the largest Boyhood Neighborhood– Ramona Avenue canneries and wineries in the world. Today, 1962 Crash Site – Sylvan & Rexford Drive Modesto is a strong, independent city, with Lucas Plaza – 17th and J Street leading multi-national companies and a vibrant John Muir Elementary School music, arts and dining scene. With a revitalized, Roosevelt Junior High School centrally located downtown and a friendly Downey High School –1000 Co!ee Road community full of family and friends, the big city Modesto Junior College “City College” - culture that Modesto has to o!er blends nicely 435 College Avenue with the small town feel. Locals call it “Modesto- cana” and we welcome you to experience it for yourself. Modesto Historical Information Locations American Graffiti Was Born Here McHenry Museum A&W Drive-In HISTORIC GRAFFITI “Where were you in ’62?” McHenry Mansion Gene Win#eld’s Shop asked a movie poster in Great Valley Museum Uptown Arena 1973. It was a simple Old Modesto Train Station (Formerly for question that has tugged Graceada Park concerts and ) Cruise on our culture ever since. Modesto Arch California Ballroom Everything from Grease, Modesto High School Happy Days, and the fond feeling of retro- America points back to the George Lucas movie Former locations Route about the end of high school in Modesto. This cinematic look at Modesto was fun, novelty, of the Main Drive-Ins romance, and reality all rolled into one, with Burge’s Drive-In - 9th and O Street some of the best rock and roll music ever written. Al’s Drive-In – McHenry at Francis DOWNTOWN MODESTO The spirit of American Gra"ti still endures today. 10th and 11th Streets of Downtown Modesto For More Information WALKING TOUR Modesto Convention and Visitors Bureau were the location and the origin of the stories WWW.MODESTOCRUISEROUTE.COM and people of the true cruising route that 209-526-5588 inspired Lucas’ #lm. www.visitmodesto.com www.modestogov.com Designed & Produced by ModestoView.com www.modestoview.com