As Route 66 shifts into its centennial year, preservation efforts accelerate
Efforts are underway to restore vernacular architecture and historic signage along the route of America’s most famous highway, which opened 100 years ago this month
On 11 November 1926, US Route 66 officially commenced, marking the inception of America's first federal highway system. As the popularity of affordable automobiles surged post-World War II, it transformed into a prominent destination. A distinct vernacular culture emerged along its 2,500-mile stretch, traversing eight states from Chicago, Illinois, to Santa Monica, California. Neon signs beckoned travelers, themed motels emerged, and roadside attractions showcased concrete and fiberglass sculptures.
The highway was decommissioned in 1985, superseded by new highways that bypassed its Art Deco service stations and mid-century diners. However, in the centennial year of its creation, conservation initiatives are ramping up across the nation to preserve the remnants of this legendary route.
Rhys Martin, manager of the Preserve Route 66 Initiative at the National Trust for Historic Preservation, emphasizes that the road embodies more than its stereotypical associations with '57 Chevys, cheeseburgers, and Marilyn Monroe. It represents a rich tapestry of diverse cultures, from Native American to African American, with notable examples such as Oklahoma's Asian District and West Hollywood's LGBTQ community.
Preservation efforts encompass structural repairs, such as those at the Fanning 66 Outpost in Cuba, Missouri, home to the world's largest 42ft-high rocking chair, and storytelling projects that aim to highlight Native American experiences along the route. The road's original pavement sections are also being preserved, with the Ribbon Road in Ottawa County, Oklahoma, benefiting from partial protection from resurfacing.
Advocacy is underway to grant Route 66 the National Historic Trail designation, a bipartisan bill that would unite its fragmented parts and facilitate collaboration among state associations, the National Park Service, and the Department of Transportation. Martin highlights the significance of this designation, stating that it would foster dialogue among various stakeholders and safeguard the road's evolving character.
Local groups, municipalities, and individuals are actively stewarding Route 66's relics. Martin serves as the president of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association, which is restoring a U-Haul painted by the late artist Bob Waldmire and recently opened the Blue Whale Visitor Center in Catoosa, Oklahoma. The city of Albuquerque also opened a Route 66 Visitor Center in April, featuring restored roadside signs and a collection of historical attractions.
The Friends of the Orphan Signs organization, led by executive director Lindsey Fromm, focuses on revitalizing abandoned signs, transforming them into public art. These efforts not only preserve places of historical significance but also acknowledge Route 66's ongoing role in daily life, connecting communities across the Midwest and the Pacific. The National Trust for Historic Preservation is currently supporting 30 congregations in preserving their Route 66 buildings and sharing their stories with the wider community.
Written by urgent.news from The Art Newspaper's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
