Vikki Moran
Updated on: October 11, 2024 3:06 pm GMT
Route 66, famously known as “America’s Main Street,” has left an indelible mark on American culture and history since its establishment nearly a century ago. Spanning over 2,400 miles from Chicago to Santa Monica, California, this iconic highway has been a symbol of freedom, adventure, and the open road. However, its prominence began to wane in the mid-20th century due in large part to the introduction of the Interstate Highway System.
The Birth of Route 66
The origins of Route 66 trace back to the summer of 1926 when the U.S. Bureau of Public Roads designated this highway as part of the first federal highway system. The road connected a network of existing routes that facilitated travel and commerce across eight states. According to David Dunaway, a professor emeritus at the University of New Mexico, understanding Route 66 entails recognizing its historical context, rooted in the trails used by Native Americans and later settler paths.
Dunaway notes that Route 66’s placement along the 35th parallel was a strategic advantage, as it was neither too affected by winter snow in the north nor the sweltering heat in the south. Initially, the road primarily accommodated agricultural traffic, serving farmers who transported goods to market. However, it gradually became a popular route for early motorists, particularly during the Dust Bowl of the 1930s, as depicted in John Steinbeck’s “Grapes of Wrath.”
Transformation Through Time
Route 66 underwent significant enhancements between 1933 and 1938, when laborers, part of New Deal programs, focused on improving its infrastructure. By 1938, it achieved a notable milestone as the first highway in the United States to be entirely paved, elevating its status as a crucial transportation artery. During World War II, Route 66 proved vital for military logistics, facilitating the movement of materials and personnel across the country.
The post-war period marked the dawn of a new era for the highway, as more Americans embraced automobile travel. With the expansion of the middle class and increased leisure time, Route 66 blossomed into a tourist destination characterized by roadside attractions, motels, diners, and gas stations. This transformative phase laid the groundwork for what many consider its golden age.
The Impact of the Interstate Highway System
The prosperity of Route 66 faced a significant threat when President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956, leading to the creation of the Interstate Highway System. Although Route 66 was thriving at the time, the new interstates—designed for speed and efficiency—steered traffic away from the small towns and communities that had depended on the highway for their economies.
As Joe Sonderman, an author specializing in Route 66, points out, the interstates bypassed many urban centers, making them less relevant for cross-country travelers. This diversion of traffic caused many businesses along Route 66 to suffer or close, signaling the start of the highway’s decline.
Decline and Decommissioning
By the late 1950s and into the 1970s, the impact of the interstate highways became increasingly apparent. Roads like Interstate 40 substituted significant segments of Route 66, leading to a dramatic reduction in traffic along the historic route. In 1984, the final stretch of the original highway, located in Williams, Arizona, was bypassed, spurring a local outcry. Residents took drastic measures, even protesting the construction with direct action against the machinery. Nonetheless, their efforts ended in vain, and the following year, Route 66 was officially decommissioned.
The Revival Movement
Despite its decommissioning, interest in Route 66 did not evaporate. The 1980s sparked a nostalgia-driven revival, as many began to view the highway as a relic of American culture, representative of an earlier era of road travel. This revival attracted both domestic tourists and international visitors eager to explore what became known as “the Mother Road.”
Dunaway, who chairs The Road Ahead Partnership, emphasizes that Route 66 continues to evolve. New businesses are opening to cater to the growing tourism industry, including restaurants and gift shops themed around the iconic highway. “The road is not dead—it just keeps changing,” Dunaway asserts, highlighting a renewed interest in experiencing the historic route.
Route 66 Today
Today, Route 66 is viewed more as a cultural experience than simply a thoroughfare. Tourists flock to the highway seeking unique roadside attractions, historic sites, and the nostalgia of classic Americana. Efforts to revive and preserve the iconic route reflect a broader trend to celebrate historic roadways as living symbols of American heritage.
As towns along Route 66 welcome many visitors, this famous highway shows how creative and resourceful Americans can be. The story of Route 66 is one of ups and downs, but it still attracts people who want to experience fun adventures and learn about its rich history.
