Original Painting by: Anthony Ross. Poster print avaialble from Zazzle.com
Article by: mark kelly
In a few years, one of Disney Popular movie “Cars” bought a lot of interest in the "Mother Road" Route 66. What people might not realize is that most of the movie, including characters, cars, places and the plot itself were based on real people and places along Route 66.
First time, route 66 got me so curious was, when I opened my internet business . I sell all kinds of license plates including novelty license plates for home, office and garage. I was amazed how popular route 66 license plates are.
So, here is some informations and brief history of route 66 for serious travellers who want to go back to the past and discover the 2,400 miles and see how America traveled in the 1920's-60's.
Route 66 was one of the original U.S. highways established on November 11, 1926. The famous highway originally ran from Chicago, Illinois through Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California before ending at Los Angeles, encompassing a total of 2,448 miles (3,940 km). It was recognized in popular culture by both a hit song and a television show in the 1950s and 1960s.
Route 66 underwent many improvements and realignments over its lifetime, changing its path and overall length. Many of the realignments gave travelers faster or safer routes, or detoured around city congestion.
Route 66 was a major path of the migrants who went west, especially during 1930s, and supported the economies of the communities through which the road passed. People doing business along the route became prosperous due to the growing popularity of the highway, and those same people later fought to keep the highway alive even with the growing threat of being bypassed by the new Interstate Highway System.
Route 66 was officially removed from the United States Highway System on June 27, 1985 after it was decided the route was no longer relevant and had been replaced by the Interstate Highway System. Portions of the road that passed through Illinois, Missouri, New Mexico, and Arizona have been designated a National Scenic Byway of the name "Historic Route 66". It has begun to return to maps in this form. Some portions of the road in southern California have been redesignated "State Route 66", and others bear "Historic Route 66" signs and relevant historic information.
Although some organizations have posted signs here and there and Still 85% is still easily driveable in an ordinary car. However they are not prevalent enough to be able to count on, so if you intend to travel it, you will need to purchase a detailed map and guide before hitting the road.
There are plenty of places. I suggest you get the Route 66 Dining and Lodging Guide. When it was bypassed, many businesses and even entire towns closed down. Yet, it created a microcosm of roadside America that became pickled in time. Although many of these properties have deteriorated and even been removed, others have been restored and are doing very well.
Thanks for being interested in Rout 66. Make an unforgettable memory and experience this unique treasure.
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