Supporters in all the states along Route 66 have established local and regional
organizations to promote the road, preserve its most notable landmarks, and lobby on its
behalf. These groups thrive today. Growing memberships and expanded projects reflect
increased interest in the road and its future. Local, state, and federal agencies have
also become involved in a series of projects that highlight the importance of the highway.
The various state Route 66 organizations publish newsletters and organize annual
antique auto shows or driving activities. Practically all of the work is done by
volunteers who contribute substantial numbers of hours to support the highway. Sometimes
they cooperate to restore and preserve buildings along the road, such as the Coleman
Theater in Miami, Oklahoma, the Texaco gas station in Chandler, Oklahoma, or the Phillips
gas station in McLean, Texas. Quite often they rally to preserve a landmark, such as the
Willow Creek bridge near Riverton, Kansas, or the Coral Court Motel in St. Louis,
Missouri. Their struggles (the Willow Creek bridge was lost and the future of the Coral
Court is uncertain) have not deterred them. In some cases they share in the operation of
museums where the story of the road can be told. Among the most successful is the Devil's
Rope Museum in McLean, Texas. Other interesting Route 66 exhibits are in Chandler,
Oklahoma, Rancho Cucamonga, California, Needles, California, and McLean, Illinois.
There is often a close tie between those who are interested in the highway for its own
sake and those who see it as a means of promoting businesses and the economic development
of their community. The majority of the members, however, share a deep love for the road
and contribute substantial amounts of time, money, and effort to keep it alive.
In most instances the various Route 66 associations work closely with state and local
agencies to achieve their objectives. In Illinois the state organization publishes and
distributes free pamphlets guiding motorists along the old alignments. It has also
cooperated with the Illinois Department of Transportation and the State Historic
Preservation Office in planning and designing the current survey of the road, which will
include a pavement evaluation and an inventory of all structures eligible for the National
Register of Historic Places.
The Missouri state association has been instrumental in undertaking a statewide survey
of roadside commercial architecture. Professional and volunteer members have completed
historic inventory survey forms for more than half of all relevant structures along the
road except for bridges and the roadway. The organization has published an annotated map
of Route 66 in Missouri with detailed information on the various alignments. It was also
the first group to put up directional signs throughout the state to enable motorists to
follow the old road alignments.
Although Kansas has less than twenty miles of the highway, the members of the state
association have demonstrated a profound appreciation for the remaining historic
resources. They mounted a campaign to save the Willow Creek bridge, and although they
failed to convince county officials to preserve the old concrete arch, they raised
awareness among other groups who now act together. The members have photographed all those
structures they consider significant. The state association was also responsible for
putting up directional signs.
Some of the strongest supporters of the road live in Oklahoma. This state has been able
to take advantage of the Federal Highway Administration's Intermodal Surface
Transportation Efficiency Act program to complete a survey of the commercial architecture
along the highway and establish a Route 66 museum at Clinton. Numerous regional branches
of the state association sponsor a variety of programs that aim to keep the road on the
public mind. The Oklahoma Department of Transportation has compiled extensive
documentation on the various road alignments and has collaborated in publishing one of the
most detailed state guides. The Oklahoma association directional signs are placed
sporadically but are very helpful. particularly in the large cities.
In Texas only the panhandle is traversed by Route 66, but support for the highway among
the various local groups is strong, and they work hard for its preservation. The Amarillo
group has nominated the San Jacinto heights area along 6th Street to the national
register. At McLean they have restored the Phillips 66 gas station and created one of the
best Route 66 exhibits in the Devil's Rope Museum.
In New Mexico the state association has cooperated with the Department of Tourism and
the State Historic Preservation Office to fund and publish the first systematic inventory
of all commercial properties along Route 66. A model of its kind, this is an important
first step in identifying the resources that define the road. The local association has
collaborated with the city of Albuquerque to publish an excellent map of all the Route 66
resources still standing today.
Support for Route 66 is strong throughout Arizona. The people have worked hard to
maintain the visibility of the highway and have succeeded in having it designated as a
state scenic highway. The state historic preservation office has sponsored an inventory of
Route 66 properties but it is not complete. They have also supported a study of
transportation along the highway.
Two organizations in California work for the future of Route 66. One of them has
published the only state guide to the highway. The same group sponsored a shield relay
that traveled from Chicago to Los Angeles. They started at the shore of Lake Michigan and
were met by representatives from all the local Route 66 associations as they traveled the
entire length of the highway. This was an important event and brought together many of the
highway's supporters.
Another organization operates a museum and is trying to bring together those who favor
the preservation of resources and those who are more interested in the economic benefits
Route 66 could generate.
Federal agencies are responding to the steady interest in the road. In Arizona the
Kaibab National Forest conducted an inventory of all the remnants of the highway within
its boundaries and nominated seven of them to the national register. The Bureau of Land
Management has designated and signed a portion of the road in western Arizona as a
National Back Country Byway.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation is currently conducting a study of the
resources along the road and trying to craft a program that would meet the needs of the
various highway communities.
Main Street is another national trust program that has been adopted in selected Route
66 towns, such as Sapulpa, Oklahoma. Although the program has been successful, it requires
a substantial commitment of funds that is beyond the means of most small communities along
the highway.
Departments of tourism, chambers of commerce, and county and city officials all realize
that renewed interest in the road has implications for the economic well-being of their
region. The popularity of Route 66 has extended beyond the United States. Foreign visitors
have shown an increased interest in traveling the road. Europeans, particularly Germans,
are among the most frequent travelers.
Reprinted from:
Special Resource Study Route 66
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service (See Credits)
NPS D-4 July 1995.
