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As Route 66 makes its way out of
Glenrio,
Texas
onwards to
New Mexico,
it starts out paved, but, quickly reverts to gravel. September, 2008,
Kathy Weiser.
Known by several names throughout the years including
the "Mother Road," "Main Street of America," and the "Will Rogers
Highway," Route 66 served travelers for some 50 years, before totally
succumbing to the "new and improved" interstate system.
Established in 1926, road signs began to be erected the following
year, but, it would be several years before the 2,448 mile highway
would be continuously
paved from
Chicago
to
Los Angeles.
Running through the states of
Illinois,
Missouri,
Kansas,
Oklahoma,
Texas,
New Mexico,
Arizona,
and
California, the highway
became one of the most famous
roads in America. For decades, this historic path served thousands who
were migrating west, especially during the Dust Bowl of the 1930's.
Over the years, the road underwent many
improvements and realignments, changing its path and overall length,
and moving its endpoint farther west to Santa Monica.
Route 66
was officially decommissioned and the familiar highway markers came
down.
But, it was not the end for this historic
path. New generations wanted to travel this old road, signs began to
go back up, and today, thousands enjoy these vintage peeks along the
old highway. However, the original road is not indicated on most maps
today, and this portion of
Legends' website
provides descriptions of the many towns, sites, and icons of the
Mother Road, as well as additional articles and the
Route 66
Emporium for those looking for
books & maps,
postcards, souvenirs, and memorabilia.
Nine foot wide road outside of
Miami,
Oklahoma, Kathy Weiser, June, 2004.
This image available for photographic
prints
HERE!
Route 66
does not end along 6th Street in
Amarillo,
Texas,
Kathy Weiser, November, 2005,
This image available for photo prints &
editorial downloads
HERE!
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About Route 66
- History and Information about the Mother Road.
Mile By Mile Westbound: This very
detailed section includes hundreds of pages of the many small towns
along the mother road, "must see" sites, and bucket loads of photographs.
Illinois
Missouri
Kansas
Oklahoma
Texas
New Mexico
Arizona
California
More Information:
Facts, Figures
& Trivia
Gallery
of the Mother Road
Ghosts of
Route 66
Ghost
Towns
Museums
Personalities & Legends
Postcard Views
Associations
Rt 66 Links
Mother Road
Recipes
Route 66
Timeline
Testimonials from the Road
Writing
Credits
Cadillac
Ranch in
Amarillo,
Texas, May, 2004, David Alexander.
This image available for photo prints &
editorial downloads
HERE!
Easy!
- Make your
travel
reservations
right
HERE
online.
Own a Business that's been around since the Mother Road was active?
Find out how you can receive free advertising from Legends Of America
simply by submitting your story. Contact us at 913-708-5119 today!
Cool Springs Camp,
Arizona,
April, 2008, Kathy Weiser.
This image available for photographic prints
and downloads
HERE!
. ..and
they come into 66 from the tributary side roads, from the wagon
tracks and the rutted country roads, 66 is the mother road, the road
of flight.
- John Steinbeck in
The Grapes of Wrath
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Route 66 Emporium
Route 66
Books, Maps,
Signs, Photos
&
More.
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