Independent, UK - Route 66, celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, is an iconic American highway stretching about 2,400 miles from Chicago through Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico and Arizona before ending in Santa Monica, California.
Designated in 1926, the 'Mother Road' was created to link the industrial Midwest with the Pacific Coast, fostering commerce and serving as a path of hope for migrants during the Dust Bowl and World War II.
The highway experienced its peak popularity in the post-war era, becoming a favored vacation route adorned with thriving roadside diners, motels, and unique attractions, and was immortalized in popular culture.
Route 66 carries a complex legacy, bringing economic benefits to Native American tribes but also leaving scars of eminent domain across tribal land and perpetuated stereotypes.
Despite being decommissioned as a federal highway in 1985, local governments and private businesses have actively preserved sections of Route 66, ensuring its cultural significance and allure for travellers worldwide.
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