What makes route 66 so special

In , he was involved in founding the U. Roue 66 cartoon map. In , runners traversed the length of Route 66—some 2, miles—as part of a coast-to-coast, 3,mile marathon from Los Angeles to New York. Nicknamed the Bunion Derby by the press, the grueling event was organized as a promotional stunt by sports agent C. Of the men who began the day race, 55 finished it. American actor, pianist and songwriter Bobby Troup. A Pennsylvania native, Troup composed his first hit song while still in college then went on to serve in the Marines during World War II.

After the war, he returned to the U. While traveling on Route 66, he was inspired to start penning the lyrics for a tune about the roadway. The often romanticized highway represents an outstanding example of the transition from dirt track to superhighway. Not only does Route 66 underscore the importance of the automobile as a technological achievement, but, perhaps equally important to the American psyche, it symbolized unprecedented freedom and mobility for every citizen who could afford to own and operate a car.

Escalating numbers of motor vehicles and the rise of the trucking industry increased the need for improved highways. In response the federal government pledged to link small town USA with all of the metropolitan capitals. Give us feedback. Read Next View. Residence Inn Orlando Lake Nona. GullWing Beach Resort. Belmont Blvd Bed and Breakfast. Residence Inn Los Angeles L. Blue Lake Lodge by Vtrips. Foxtrot Bed and Breakfast. Marriott's MountainSide at Park City.

Element Dallas Downtown East. Home2 Suites by Hilton Hilton Head. Hackberry General Store Arizona -- Located at mile marker 80 on Historic Route 66, this general store is jam-packed with any kind of Route 66 memorabilia you can imagine. There are vintage gas pumps and automobiles out front, although it's no longer a filling station.

Inside you can shop for souvenirs or pick up some Route branded root beer. Remarkably well preserved, the crater is 2. Established in , the drive-in continues serving customers today. Huggins built this motel in Tucumcari, N. Still featuring the stucco exterior and detached garages of the era, the Blue Swallow continues to operate today. Cadillac Ranch Texas -- Driving down Route 66 in Amarillo, Texas, you'll see a strange sight -- 10 old Cadillacs, nose-down, sticking out of the ground.

Texas millionaire Stanley Marsh commissioned the installation in to honor America's love for the open road. Today the cars are rusted and covered in graffiti, but still a popular attraction. Each teepee is about 25 feet 7. This motel is a great example of the fanciful tourist attractions once designed to host Route 66 travelers. You can look for dinosaur fossils, visit archaeological sites and check out the remains of petrified trees.

The Painted Desert surrounds the park with color. The outside area of the shop features several giant dinosaur statues with mannequins in their mouths. In , she and her husband opened a filling station and motel on Route 66 in Hydro, Okla. Lucille operated the station for 60 years, until her death in Her reputation among travelers for her kindness and generosity is legendary. Sign up for our Newsletter! Mobile Newsletter banner close. Mobile Newsletter chat close.

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