VACATION AND TRAVEL
Historic Route 66
Attractions
Article by Michael Joseph Lynch
The Historic Standard Oil Gas Station in Odell, Illinois
The historic Route 66 was one of the first and longest U.S. highways, running for 2,448 miles, and beckoned people to drive west from Chicago, Illinois to Santa Monica, California. The “Mother Road” opened in 1926 and quickly became famous, as people traveled for work, migrated, visited family, took vacations, or headed off to war. Hundreds of small businesses sprang up along the highway to offer meals, groceries, accommodations, fuel, souvenirs, and guided tours to the thousands of travelers who passed through their towns.
By the 1950s and 1960s, large interstate roads began to replace smaller highways, bypassing many towns, which fell into decline. Route 66 was decommissioned in 1985 but has once again has become a popular tourist route. I have been on this road on different occasions and in some states a major highway runs alongside of it, especially
in the state of Missouri. There are signs of old vintage businesses that are no longer in business, and some that are still doing business and there all great stops for photos. I am going to highlight some stops on this road that are popular that are still seen by many. You may need a map because some parts of this road may not show up on GPS. Route 66 runs between Chicago, Illinois and Santa Monica, California, crossing eight different states: Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California.