{"id":17261,"date":"2022-06-22T19:54:11","date_gmt":"2022-06-22T19:54:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.scenic.org\/?p=17261"},"modified":"2023-06-21T22:25:15","modified_gmt":"2023-06-21T22:25:15","slug":"the-allure-of-historic-route-66","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.scenic.org\/2022\/06\/22\/the-allure-of-historic-route-66\/","title":{"rendered":"The Allure of Historic Route 66"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

Since the late 1920s, droves of Americans have been getting their kicks on Route 66<\/strong>. Traversing eight states and three different time zones, the historic highway<\/a> has long captured the imagination of the American traveler and the essence of the American road trip. Here\u2019s a look at the history of Route 66<\/strong> and its enduring fame.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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Route 66, photo courtesy of travelandleisure.com<\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

A Brief History of Route 66<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

US Route 66<\/strong>, or US 66<\/strong>, was established in 1926 and became the first all-weather highway connecting the major cities of Chicago and Los Angeles. The shortest year-round route linking the Midwest and the Pacific Coast, Route 66<\/a> was a bustling artery that gave small towns access to cross-country highway. During the Dust Bowl,<\/a> an estimated 210,000 people migrated to California in a bid to escape financial hardship.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n

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The map of Route 66, photo courtesy of Britannica.com<\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n

Old Route 66<\/strong>, as it\u2019s sometimes known, was also a means for farmers to sell their crops in more places, and for truckers to find safe transportation even in the winter months. Later on, as the US joined the fray in the Second World War, Route 66<\/a> became a go-to path for the rush of military supplies and personnel to bases in the West.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

When the War ended, the significance of Route 66 did not. The automobile<\/a> took its place as a pillar of the American lifestyle, and the open road\u2014and Route 66\u2014came to symbolize freedom, optimism, and individualism. Although the route was decommissioned in 1985, its synonymity with American culture made Historic Route 66<\/strong> an obvious choice for preservation.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

In 1990, Congress passed the Route 66 Study Act of 1990,<\/a> finding that Historic Route 66<\/a> had become \u201ca symbol of the American people\u2019s heritage of travel and their legacy of seeking a better life.\u201d Consequently, the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program<\/a> was created in 1999, and the Route itself was designated an All-American Road.<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Why Is Route 66 Famous?<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

This rich and long-standing history accounts for much of Historic Route 66\u2019s fame. However, travelers are also drawn in by the unique places featured along the way. Many tourists visit or stay in the Route\u2019s iconic roadside motels. Among the most famous are Wigwam Motel<\/strong>, with its teepee-inspired design,<\/a> and Blue Swallow Motel<\/strong> with its pink stucco walls and legendary hospitality<\/a>. Both are listed in the National Register of Historic Places.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n

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The Wigwam Motel, photo courtesy of route66news.com<\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n

Historic Route 66 also offers quirky roadside attractions you won\u2019t find anywhere else! Elmer\u2019s Bottle Tree Ranch<\/strong>, for example, is an art installation<\/a> of more than 200 \u201ctrees\u201d made of colored glass bottles. The notable Easter Island-inspired \u201cGiganticus Headicus\u201d<\/strong> statue<\/a> is also a popular attraction. These and other unusual sights ensure that Historic Route 66\u2019s spirit of individualism lives on in the modern-day.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Here at Scenic America, we\u2019re working to preserve the Scenic Byways,<\/a> landscapes, and towns that define our nation\u2019s visual character. Read about our principles of conservation<\/a>,<\/a> see what we\u2019ve accomplished<\/a> in 2021, or sign up for our newsletter <\/a>to stay up-to-date on our work and how yo<\/a>u can help.<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Scenic America\u2019s mission is to preserve and enhance the visual character and scenic beauty of America. Donate today<\/a> to help us protect our beautiful places and the heart of our country\u2019s character!<\/p>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Since the late 1920s, droves of Americans have been getting their kicks on Route 66. Traversing eight states and three different time zones, the historic highway has long captured the imagination of the American traveler and the essence of the American road trip. Here\u2019s a look at the history of Route 66 and its enduring […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":17297,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-17261","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-scenic-byways"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nThe Allure of Historic Route 66 | Scenic America<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.scenic.org\/2022\/06\/22\/the-allure-of-historic-route-66\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The Allure of Historic Route 66 | Scenic America\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Since the late 1920s, droves of Americans have been getting their kicks on Route 66. 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