US Highway 66, known as Route 66 is a significant piece of U.S. history that spans through 8 states and 3 different time zones.
One of those states is the great state of Oklahoma.
Which is why I’m here today.
Today, we will visit some points of interest of America’s Main Street as this road goes right through the heart of Oklahoma.
Like other highways of its day, Route 66 reflects the origin and evolution of road transportation in the United States.
Nicknamed the “Mother Road”, this often-romanticized highway represents an outstanding illustration of the transition from dirt track to superhighway.
Without further ado, Let’s jump into the article!
For more information on historic highways, please check out http://ncptt.nps.gov
The History of Route 66
Known as the ” Mother Road” or “Main Street of America, US highway 66 was one of the original highways of the American road system.
The period of historical significance for Route 66 is 1926 to 1985. The national system of public highways brought geographic cohesion and economic prosperity to the disparate regions of the country.
As far as postwar economic recovery is concerned, route 66 symbolized optimism for everyone.
It also enabled one of the most comprehensive movement of people in the history of the United States. One result was the irreversible transformation of the America far west from a rural frontier to a pacesetting, metropolitan region.
Highway 66 was commissioned in November of 1926 and was fully paved by the late 1930’s. It ran from Chicago to Los Angeles, creating connections between hundreds of small towns and providing a trucking route through the Southwest.
Dubbed the “Mother Road” by John Steinbeck in the Grapes of Wrath, Route 66 carried thousands of Depression era migrants from the Midwest who went to California hoping for jobs and a better life.
The Depression Years and The War
In his famous social commentary, The Grapes of Wrath, John Steinbeck dubbed this famous highway the “Mother Road.”
An estimated 210,000 people migrated to California to escape despair of the Dust Bowl.
Certainly, in the minds of those who endured this awful experience, Route 66 symbolized the “road to opportunity.”
From 1933 to 1938 thousands of unemployed male youths from virtually every state were put to work as laborers to pave the final stretches of the road.
Highway 66 helped to facilitate the single greatest wartime manpower mobilization in the history of the nation.
Between 1941 and 1945 the government invested approximately $70 billion in capital projects throughout California.
This gigantic capital outlay served to underwrite entirely new industries that created thousands of civilian jobs.
Progress and Decay
During World War II, the road became increasingly used due the United States military needs. As a matter of fact, the traffic intensified so much they began to think of a solution that would make it easier to move across the states.
Many businesses such as motels, gas stations, drive-ins and tourist traps were also founded and developed along the route in this period. Neon signs became the trademark, making them immediately recognizable.
Even with wide-spread popularity, route 66 began to experience a decline. This was obvious as the multi-lane interstates were beginning construction in the 1960’s.
Influenced heavily by Germany’s own network of highways known as the Autobahn, President Eisenhower pioneered the construction of our interstate systems that we use today.
Oklahoma’s Role with the Mother Road
Being centrally located along Route 66, Oklahoma has played a huge part in Route 66 history. Oklahoma actually has the country’s longest section of this famous highway.
Beginning in the Northeast corner of the state, the highway winds through some small, charming towns that are full of nostalgia.
Here are just a few stops on Route 66 in Oklahoma that are worth paying a visit to.
- Vinita and Foyil: The Native American heritage is brought into focus with museums and sculpture.
- The Blue Whale in Catoosa: This random waterfront structure is one of the most recognizable attractions on old Route 66.
- Pops in Arcadia: Opened in 2007, this place sells more than 400 different varieties of soda pop.
- Clinton: This Western Oklahoma town has the famous Route 66 Museum. This is a can’t miss opportunity if you’re a fan of historic roads.
- Oklahoma City: One of the primary stops along the Mother Road.
Parallel to the Interstate
Since the highway was decommissioned, Route 66 no longer exists on modern maps. In some places, in fact, the physical road is unpaved and virtually impassable.
However, you can still follow some of the original road in your car, just keep in mind that this old highway actually runs parallel to the interstate highway in some areas.
Today, the National Scenic Byways Program denotes historic 66 as going through four states- Illinois, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Arizona.
Major Cities on Route 66
Okay, so we have established some of the small towns in Oklahoma that makes up the mother road, but what about the major cities? Let’s take a look:
- Chicago
- Springfield, Ill
- St. Louis, MO
- Springfield, MO
- Oklahoma City, OK
- Amarillo, TX
- Santa Fe, NM
- Albuquerque, NM
- Flagstaff, AZ
- Kingman, AZ
- Barstow, CA
- Santa Monica, CA
These cities are often used to draw up a standard itinerary, but if you’re asking me, I like to get off the beaten path and stay somewhere quaint.
Lots of these towns not mentioned, have characteristic accommodations in full route 66 style.
Route 66 Today
Today, several states recognize the historical significance of the road, and have it marked with 66 in the state highway number.
The road is still a major tourist attraction, as it is dotted with vintage gas stations, quirky tourist attractions, diners, “mom and pop” motels, historic sites & museums, stunning vistas, and gift shops.
Being the foodie that I am, I love to try new places to eat a great meal. This highway is great to take an unconventional path and go find the unknown.
Thoughts & Takeaways
And that wraps things up for today. Route 66 is full of unique history that you can find right here in Oklahoma. I myself, would like to go explore this famous highway in other parts of the region. I hope you enjoyed this article, please share your Route 66 experiences in the comment section below.
-CT