Nothing expresses the aesthetics of infrastructure as clearly as American rest stops. On this week’s episode of Silent Generation, Nathan is joined by artist and professor Madeline Rupard, whose paintings “consider the American landscape” and frequently depict rest stops. They begin by defining what constitutes rest stops (fast food chains, gas stations, motels, and plentiful car-oriented infrastructure) before surveying their aesthetics. Amongst other things they discuss how the history of rest areas differs from that of service areas, how America’s first transcontinental highway (the Lincoln Highway) was financed through private sources, how Buc-ee’s lures in customers with spacious and clean restrooms, and how Eden, Idaho is home to a spectacular Garden of Eden themed rest stop.
Links:
Madeline Rupard - Instagram Page
Luxurydeptstore - Instagram Page
https://www.madelinerupard.com/
An Interview With Madeline Rupard
The sky at grocery stores meme
The European mind can’t comprehend this meme
The Real-Life Places Along Route 66 that Inspired Cars
Before Route 66: The Story of America’s First Highway
Daniel Everett - Instagram Page
What Internet Memes Get Wrong About Breezewood, Pennsylvania by Amanda Kolson Hurley
Breezewood, Pennsylvania Is Not What You Think It Is by Classy Whale
Traveler’s Oasis “Garden of Eatin’” in Eden, Idaho
The Store (1983)
Nonstandard - A Documentary (2025)
Why our buildings lost their soul by Pearlmania500
Artwork:
Photograph provided by Madeline Rupard
Recorded on 8/30/2025
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