Historic Route 66- Main Street of America

Historic Route 66- Main Street of America

Over the years, Route 66 has provided travelers, dreamers, and renegades with an experience no other route can give. Established November 11, 1926, covered 2,448 miles and originally ran through eight states starting from Chicago, Ill to Santa Monica, CA and quickly began to be one of the most popular highways in America. It soon became known by other names such as The Mother Road, Will Rogers Highway, and was spotlighted in John Steinbeck’s classic novel The Grapes of Wrath.
When The Great Depression hit in 1929 over 200,000 traveled to Californa seeking reprieve from The Dust Bowl and used The Mother Road to escape. Some traveled west with the promise of work. With barren land surrounding them, farmers and their families gathered essentials and traveled west in hopes of work. Towns, mom and pop businesses, and service stations along the highway survived The Great Depression by catering to travelers with supplies, fuel, and car parts. Restaurants, gas stations, and overnight places sprung up along the highway as well. After surviving the travel, some families were met with mixed messages, seasonal work, and makeshift living environments. The lucky families lived in clean, organized camps that were run by the Department of Agriculture.
Over the years, Route 66 went through many improvements and realignments, but it wasn’t until 1938 that the highway was completely paved. During World War II, the highway became the main route for the military forces to move equipment and the main route for vacationers to take on their way to California. But it would not last. In the mid-50s, President Eisenhower signed the Interstate Highway Act which began the decline of Route 66.
Over time Route 66 was bypassed as the Interstate highways were finally completed in 1984. Even though the route is no longer the main route, it still holds a special place in those who traveled on it, and new generations have kept the historic highway alive. Now renamed Historic Route 66.

Traveling in a Reliable Vehicle

Route 66 offers an unforgettable journey through America with so many on a mission to experience it firsthand and check off their bucket lists to those wanting a taste of the good old days. To make the journey, you will need a reliable vehicle to safely take you to Santa Monica or Chicago. Williams Group Auto has a large selection of pre-owned cars for sale in Abilene. Stop by or visit us at www.williamsgroupauto.com to view our entire selection.