Route 66-The Mother Road, is a nostalgic highway that covered 2451 miles of the United States. It was the first highway to connect Chicago to Santa Monica, California. It became synonymous with Americana, a simple life, a friendly town, and a new adventure. While Route 66 has fallen into disrepair and isn’t considered a Highway anymore, people still follow the iconic highway and stop at attractions and motels that are left on the route to pay homage to a simpler time.
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What is Route 66?
Route 66-The Mother Road is America’s first highway linking Chicago to Los Angeles. Starting East to West Route 66 begins in Chicago and ends in Los Angeles covering 8 states. Included states are Illinois, Missouri, Kansas (which only has 13 miles) Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California.
The construction of the 2448 mile Route 66 provided jobs during the depression. The highway connected Americans like never before. The numerical designation 66 was assigned to the Chicago-to-Los Angeles route on April 30, 1926, (my birthday, well, not the 1926 part!) in Springfield, Mo.
Traffic grew on the highway because the highway was flat and it was a popular truck route. In the 1930s many families moved West for agricultural jobs. US 66 became the main road of travel for these people.
Wikipedia states
“During the Depression, it gave some relief to communities located on the highway. The route passed through numerous small towns and, with the growing traffic on the highway, helped create the rise of mom-and-pop businesses, such as service stations, restaurants, and motor courts, all readily accessible to passing motorists.”
Route 66-The Mother Road
Route 66 was not only a highway, it was and still is a destination. The ins and outs, the towns, and cities, the attractions, and so much more have made Route 66 an institution. Route 66 will live on forever in Pop Culture, Music, Film and Television, and Literature.
Pop Culture
Route 66 permeated American culture as nothing else has. It offered a freedom that has never been replicated. There are many national landmarks, but there is only ONE Historical Route 66. It takes us back to a time when everything was simpler, with no cell phones, no schedules, no WIFI, and no reason to hurry up and get there. Route 66 gave freedom to travelers. They could stop in small towns or drive to the next big city. Route 66 has been lauded in music, film, and TV shows, and literature.
Music
Bobby Troup wrote Route 66 in 1946. Troup went on to write other pop culture songs, but Route 66 was his most popular song. It has been covered by Nat King Cole, The Rolling Stones, Bing Crosby, Perry Como, Chuck Berry, the Andrews Sisters, Them, Patti Page, and many more. Route 66 became an anthem of many generations because of its direct lyrics and catchy tune.
Bruce Springsteen and The Eagles both have songs that reflect, less directly to Route 66. Springsteen with Cadillac Ranch and The Eagles with Take it Easy, referencing Winslow, AZ.
Film and Television
Many movies and TV shows have filmed on Route 66 either using buildings or filming the vast and gorgeous scenery. Movies include The Grapes of Wrath, which was made based on John Steinbeck’s book of the same title, Rainman, RV, Cars, Easy Rider, and many more.
From 1960 to 1964, Route 66 the television show was on the air. It was a primetime show but does not have the popularity today as other shows have experienced.
The Decline of Route 66
The decline of Route 66 was gradual. The world changed. Cars were faster, flying became popular and safe, and the slow drive of Route 66 didn’t appeal to a more modern America. Attractions closed, motels closed, and people just stopped coming. The draw of a simpler vacation lost out to shiny rollercoasters, and faster travel.
Route 66 was decommissioned in 1985, many factors contributed to this, but it was mostly because of bad roads, more traffic, faster highways, and modern progress. The modernization of our life has taken away the simple way of travel Route 66 provided. Route 66 was a victim of a new highway, a faster way to travel, and less time to just wander.
Miles of Route 66 are gone but the nostalgia of The Mother Road remains. It reminds us that simple wasn’t so bad and that quirky attractions can build memories. As time marches on, and more and more of Route 66 disappears, it will always bring a smile to my face as I remember a simpler time, and wish I could have been one of the ones getting my kicks on Route 66!
Be sure to read my posts on each individual state and a few of the attractions located in each state! Start here with Illinois.