Even though many are working hard to preserve the U.S. Route 66 legacy, the memories continue to fade away.
Commissioned in 1926, U.S. Route 66 was the country's first 2-lane road linking the shores of Lake Michigan with the Pacific Ocean. The historic highway consisted of more than 2,000 miles that spanned 3 time zones and 8 states - Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California. Because Route 66 went through the center of many towns and cities, it became Main Street U.S.A.
John Steinbeck called Route 66 "The Mother Road". It was Bobby Troup's big hit "Get Your Kicks On Route 66" in 1946 that has been sung by more than 150 recording artists, including Chuck Berry, Rosemary Clooney, Nat King Cole, Perry Como, Bing Crosby, Humble Pie, Mahattan Transfer, Johnny Mathis, Patti Page, R.E.M., Buddy Rich, Nancy Sinatra, The Rolling Stones, Van Morrison, Mel Torme, Andy Williams, The Young Razzcals and it was the theme song for the Route 66 TV series composed by Nelson Riddle. These recording stars and many others have made Route 66 the most famous highway in the world. The song goes like this---
If you ever plan to motor west; Travel my way, take the highway that's the best.
Get your kicks on Route 66!
I winds from Chicago to L.A., More than 2,000 miles all the way.
Get your kicks on Route 66!
Now you go thru Saint Looey....Joplin, Missouri; and Oklahoma City looks mighty prettty. You'll see Amirillo....Gallop, New Mexico; Flagstaff, Arizona; don't forget Winona, Kingman, Barstow, San Bernardino.
Won't you get hip to this timely tip; When you make that California trip,
Get your kicks on Route 66!
John Steinbeck's "Grapes of Wrath journey took place on Route 66
and the concept for Disney/Pixar's new movie "Cars" and the fictional town of "Radiator Springs" were born on a Route 66 Road Trip.
Have you ever heard the lyric "Standin' on a corner in Winslow, Arizona"? Or visited the Will Rogers Memorial? Or stood in the mouth of a Blue Whale? Or cruised in a classic hot rod in San Bernardino during the annual Route 66 Rendezvous?
Take a trip this year---2448 miles of history with 80 years of glory beginning in Illinois and join the International Route 66 Festival if you like street rods, muscle cars, antiques, classic motorcycles and some of the coolest rides you'll ever see. Wanna stay near New Mexico? How about the Tucumcari Route 66 Festival complete with a Route 66 Car Show, Car Crush, Roping Competition, "Wang Dang Doodle Parade on Old 66" and a Rock n Roll Sock Hop? The events and attractions are nearly endless and you will create some memories of a lifetime.
The following are a list of U.S. Route 66 Associations than can provide more information on history, attractions and museums in each State:
Route 66 Association of Illinois Springfield, IL
Route 66 Association of Missouri St. Louis, MO
Kansas Route 66 Association Riverton, KS
Olkahoma Route 66 Association Oklahoma City, OK
Old Route 66 Association of Texas McLean, TX
New Mexico Route 66 Association Albuquerque, NM
Historic Route 66 Association of AZ Kingman, AZ
CA Historic Route 66 Association LaVerne, CA
International Route 66 Organizations include:
Friends of Route 66 in UK
Friends of Route 66 in Germany
Friends of Route 66 in Norway
Friends of Route 66 in Switzerland
Friends of Route 66 in France
Historic Route 66 Association in Italy
Friends of Route 66 in Australia
