Americas Highway: The Incredible Story of Historic Route 66
It’s one of the most famous and historic roadways in the United States. Referenced in countless songs, movies and quotes, Route 66 is a cultural American icon deeply ingrained in the countries history. While the original US 66 was officially decommissioned in 1985, its importance has never faded and its legacy lives on.
So buckle up and shift into drive as we dive into the full history of this historic roadway! We’ve also included a list of the top destinations to visit on the route as well as some interesting fun facts you’ve just got to see.
Origins
Route 66’s roots can be traced back to 1857 when Lt. Edward Fitzgerald Beale was ordered by the War Department to build a wagon road along the 35th Parallel. This road would eventually become part of US 66.
As the automobile became the new mode of transportation, auto trails were developed across the country, some of which would make up parts of the future route. However, these roads were not fully connected and the United States Congress did not have a national highway system in place.
It wasn’t until 1925 that entrepreneurs Cyrus Avery and John Woodruff successfully lobbied the American Association of State Highway Officials to create the route. The pair were responsible for originally thinking up the idea of a roadway between Chicago and Los Angles.
One of the routes most important factors was that it would connect the main streets of rural and urban communities. For the small towns the road would pass through, it offered them access to a major national thoroughfare.
Openning
The number “66” was official assigned on April 30, 1926 to the Chicago-to-Los Angeles route and signed into law as one of the original U.S. Highways in 1927. Cyrus Avery promoted the complete paving of the route from end to end which was finally accomplished in 1938.
In the early years, the U.S. Highway 66 Association promoted numerous publicity stunts including the “Bunion Derby,” a footrace in 1928 that went from Los Angles to New York. During the 1932 Summer Olympics, the Highway Association placed ads encouraging Americans to drive US 66 to Los Angles.
Route 66 was important during the mass migrations of Americans effected by the Dust Bowl in the 1930s. The route was heavily used by farming families of Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas, and Texas who were forced to head west to look for agriculture jobs in California.
Heyday of Route 66
One of the key parts of Route 66’s legacy was the rise of mom-and-pop businesses, restaurants and service stations that cropped up along the roadway. With the roadway passing through small towns and communities, business boomed as motorists increased along the route.
During World War II, the road was once again an important route for mass migration as families moved to California for the abundance war-related jobs. It also became one of the main routes for transporting military equipment.
By the 1950’s, Route 66 had become the main highway for vacationers who were traveling to Los Angeles. An increase in tourism helped bolster the industry of roadside attractions providing travelers exciting locations to stop at along the roadway.
The route also passed through the Painted Desert and near both the Grand Canyon and Meteor Crater. It gave Americans the opportunity to explore the west and the countries National Parks by automobile easier than ever before.
Decline
During its lifetime, Route 66 went through many changes and realignments. In order to accommodate the growing volume of traffic, roadways were moved and expanded. Cities like St. Louis, Springfield and Joplin rerouted US 66 in order to avoid the congestion of these developing urban areas.
The biggest threat to 66 came in the 1950s when then President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the Interstate Highway Act in 1956. Inspired by the German autobahns, the new interstates would be able to handle the larger amounts of traffic from these cities and towns. It spelled the end of Americas most famous roadway.
While this improved congestion, it devastated the many small businesses that relied on Route 66 travelers. Lawsuits were able to hold up the construction of interstates in some areas, but they all eventually failed and were overturned.
By 1984, the last section of Route 66 was decommissioned in Arizona and in 1985, the highway officially ceased to exist. Some of the old routes roadways were incorporated into the cities they formally occupied while others were abandoned completely.
Revival
In 1987, the Route 66 Association was founded in Arizona. Other former US 66 states joined the association and in 1990, Missouri declared the section in its state a “State Historic Route.” Over time, the entire 2,400 miles of the roadway received this status and had historic markers placed along the route.
Along with the route receiving official historic status, many former businesses have or are in the process of receiving landmark status. In 1999, the National Route 66 Preservation Bill was signed providing $10 million in matching fund grants to help preserve and restore the routes historic features.
While Route 66 may officially be no more, its popularity and mythical status has continued to grow. This has lead to more calls for preservation and protection from urban development to conserve one of Americas most significant and historic roadways.
Top 5 Historic Places To Visit On U.S. 66
With thousands of unique and interesting locations along the historic route, it can be hard to narrow down the best spots. Here is a list of 5 to get you started on your Route 66 journey!
Created by members of the art group “Ant Farm,” Cadillac Ranch features ten Cadillacs from 1949-1963 buried nose-first in the ground. Lined up successively, they show the evolution of the cars iconic tailfin and are covered in graffiti.
This roadside landmark is located on the south side of Interstate 40, 10 miles southwest of Amarillo, Texas. The attraction is free of charge, open 24 hours and just a short 200 yard walk from the parking area.
2. Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona
As the only National Park on Route 66, this natural wonder of the American Southwest is worth making time to see. The Petrified Forest offers a 27-mile scenic drive through the park with many walking trails to stop and explore.
While you’re at the park, you’ll also have the opportunity to explore the Painted Desert. It’s a breathtaking landscape with brilliant and varied colors of red and lavender spread throughout solidified dunes.
3. Tower Conoco Gas Station, Texas
This Art Deco masterpiece in Shamrock, Texas was the cities first commercial business to be located on the newly designated Route 66. Built in 1936, Tower Station was planned up by John Nunn who drew out his idea for the station with a nail on the dirt ground.
In its heyday, this landmark operated as both a gas station and a café, serving thousands of travelers allured by both the stations service and beauty. Its iconic towering spire still bears the C-O-N-O-C-O name and much of the structure still looks the same as it did when it was in business.
Today, the old station has been fully restored and welcomes travelers to the visitors center, chamber of commerce office and community center the building is now used for.
Located in Holbrook, Arizona, these unique “wigwam” motel rooms offer a kitschy roadside attraction for travels to visit and even stay the night. While the correct term for these buildings are “teepee,” the architect who built them preferred “wigwam.”
Wigwam Village #6 was inspired by an original Wigwam Village built in 1937 in Kentucky. Between 1936 and the 1950s, seven of these Villages were constructed with #6 being built in 1950. It consists of 15 concrete and steel teepees arranged in a semi-circle around a main office.
Rooms inside each Wigwam are approximately 21 feet wide and feature a bed, sink, toilet and shower. Vintage cars are also parked permanently around the property. Since the motels initial closure in the 1970s, it was reopened in 1988 so guest can once again stay in the rooms and visit the museum in the former main office.
The Meramec Caverns located in Stanton, Missouri is a 4.6-mile cave system in the Ozark Mountains formed over millions of years by erosion of large limestone deposits. Its full of rare cave formations and even Pre-Columbian artifacts
Meramec has a rich history including it role as a station on the Underground Railroad and a potential hideout for Wild West outlaw Jesse James. It also served as a backdrop for an episode of Lassie. The caves are well advertised with over 50 billboards bearing the Meramec name.
Conclusion
So if you’re looking for a place to get your kicks, be sure to explore Route 66. It’s one of Americas most historic and endearing roadways filled with scenic and notable places worthy of a visit.
