Route 66 why is it important

This is in part because most of the original route is still d. But even taking that into account what makes the legend of Route 66 so large? More than anything, it's the historic value of the road, and how its presence reverberates through so much of larger American culture. Given its prominence in so many different histories of American life and popular art, the highway has become a truly essential pilgrimage for enthusiasts of automobiles and Americana alike.

Taking up a central place in the historical record, the literary canon, and so much more, Route 66 will remain an icon of the U. That's indicative of not only fame, but of the road's enduring importance. And even without getting too deep into matters of symbolism, it's rather easy to understand how the great writer came up with such a fitting moniker. First originating from a series of dirt roads dating back to the dawn of the 20th century, Route 66 was officially established alongside the U.

Running from Chicago, Illinois, to Los Angeles, California passing through Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona along the journey the highway provided a crucial link between America's rural and urban spaces, which in turn had a significant effect on the whole of 20th century American culture. Eventually becoming the first completely paved highway in the entire country, Route 66 would go on to serve very specific functions for the populace.

Lucille ran the business and lived there almost 60 years. Hamons, Carla M. Hamons Wyatt, and Delpha D. The tourist cabins are in the background. Her family lived upstairs and behind the customer area of the station. In the s, drought and falling crop prices drove thousands of rural midwestern families to leave their farms and follow Route 66 to California to find work.

James F. Another son, Merle, was born in Bakersfield and began his singing career there. By the s Merle Haggard was a country music legend. Haggard car with trailer Courtesy of Lillian Haggard Hoge. The Haggards moved from Oklahoma to California with a Chevrolet sedan and took photographs along the way. One was returning home, two were moving to the West Coast, and one went along for the ride. The journey on Route 66 was a memorable time for all four women: it represented a path to a better future, the way home, and an unforgettable look at the American West.

Angel Delgadillo Sr. In , Route 66 came through town and helped the family prosper. Juan Delgadillo began playing trombone in the Hank Becker Orchestra. Later his brothers and sisters formed the Delgadillo Orchestra, which traveled Route 66 in Arizona.

Before Route 66 came through, Seligman was a railroad town on the Santa Fe line. His son Angel followed in his footsteps and also became a barber in the town. Route 66 crossed parts of New Mexico that had long been tourist attractions. Starting in the early s, the Santa Fe Railway promoted the area to wealthy tourists.

Tourists wanted souvenirs, and storeowners and Indian craftspeople were happy to oblige them. The first popular tourist crafts were Navajo weaving and silverwork. Sign up for Monthly E-newsletter. The national system of public highways brought geographic cohesion and economic prosperity to the disparate regions of the country. As a component of the federal network, Route 66 linked the isolated and predominantly rural West to the densely populated urban Midwest and Northeast.

Chicago had long served as a transshipment point for goods that were transported to the West. The creation of Route 66 ensured the continuation of this vital socioeconomic link. The appearance of Highway 66 came at a time of unparalleled social, economic, and political disruption and global conflict.

It also enabled one of the most comprehensive movement of people in the history of the United States.