Why Route 66 became America’s most famous road

Summary

The video script explores the enduring legacy of Route 66, a historic highway stretching from Chicago to Santa Monica. It delves into the road's significance, from its origins in 1926 to its decommission in 1985, and its cultural impact as the 'Mother Road' for American westward migration during the Great Depression. The script highlights personal stories, roadside attractions, and the unique motel culture that flourished along its path. Despite being overshadowed by the Interstate Highway System, Route 66 continues to symbolize hope, perseverance, and the American spirit.

Takeaways

• 😀 Route 66 is internationally famous for its historical and cultural significance, attracting visitors from around the world.
• 😀 The road spans from Chicago to Santa Monica, covering a vast distance and offering a diverse travel experience.
• 😀 Route 66 was commissioned in 1926 and decommissioned in 1985, yet it remains a cultural icon with a lasting legacy.
• 😀 The road played a crucial role during the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl, symbolizing hope and migration to the West.
• 😀 Route 66 has three distinct eras, with each phase contributing to its rich history and enduring appeal.
• 😀 Iconic attractions like the Big Texan Steak Ranch and unique motels are part of the road's charm, drawing tourists seeking nostalgia and adventure.
• 😀 Despite being eclipsed by the Interstate Highway System, Route 66 continues to be celebrated and preserved by enthusiasts and communities.
• 😀 The road has inspired countless personal stories and memories, making it a significant part of American culture and history.
• 😀 Efforts to revitalize Route 66 include creating murals, restoring historic sites, and promoting local businesses along the route.
• 😀 Route 66 embodies the spirit of adventure, resilience, and the American dream, making it a fascinating and beloved travel destination.

Q & A

Why is Route 66 internationally famous?

Route 66 is internationally famous due to its historical significance as a major highway connecting Chicago to Santa Monica, its cultural impact as depicted in various forms of media, and the unique experiences and attractions it offers to travelers.

What is the significance of Route 66 in American history?

Route 66 holds a significant place in American history as it was a major pathway for those seeking a better life during the Great Depression and Dust Bowl era, and it played a crucial role in the development of the American road trip culture.

What is the 'Big Texan Steak Ranch' challenge mentioned in the script?

The 'Big Texan Steak Ranch' challenge is an offer where if a customer can eat 72 ounces of steak and sides within an hour, the meal is free of charge.

How did Route 66 contribute to the development of towns along its path?

Route 66 contributed to the development of towns by increasing commerce and tourism, leading to the establishment of roadside attractions, motels, and other businesses that catered to travelers.

What is the historical context of Route 66's establishment?

Route 66 was established in 1926 as part of a new linked highway system, drafted by General John Pershing, and Cyrus Avery, who is known as the 'father of Route 66,' played a key role in its creation.

Why was Route 66 decommissioned?

Route 66 was decommissioned in 1985 due to the rise of the Interstate Highway System, which bypassed Route 66 and offered faster and more efficient transportation.

What is the cultural significance of Route 66 in the context of the Great Depression?

During the Great Depression, Route 66 became known as the 'Mother Road,' as it was a primary route for those seeking refuge and better opportunities in the West, as immortalized in John Steinbeck's 'The Grapes of Wrath'.

What is the 'Green Book' mentioned in the script, and how is it related to Route 66?

The 'Green Book' was a travel guide for African American motorists, listing safe places to stay and eat during a time of racial segregation. It was relevant to Route 66 as it helped black travelers navigate the road safely.

How did Route 66 influence the motel culture in the United States?

Route 66 played a significant role in the development of the unique motel culture in the United States by providing a constant flow of travelers who needed accommodations, leading to the establishment of many iconic and themed motels along the route.

What are some of the modern-day efforts to preserve and revitalize Route 66?

Modern-day efforts to preserve and revitalize Route 66 include the creation of associations and commissions dedicated to its history, the restoration of historic sites and businesses, and the promotion of Route 66 as a cultural and historical destination.

What is the significance of Route 66 in the personal narratives shared in the script?

In the personal narratives, Route 66 serves as a symbol of adventure, freedom, and personal growth. It is a road that connects people's histories and carries legacies of perseverance and hope, making it a significant part of their life stories.

Outlines

00:00

🗺️ The Significance of Route 66

This paragraph introduces the historical and cultural importance of Route 66 from various international perspectives. Travelers from France and Germany share their experiences and the allure of the road, emphasizing its international fame. The script delves into the history of Route 66, from its commission in 1926 to its decommission in 1985, highlighting its enduring legacy despite being overshadowed by the Interstate Highway System. The editor of Route 66 News, Ron Warnick, illustrates the road's impact through personal stories and memories, suggesting that Route 66 has a distinct charm that extends beyond its physical presence.

05:02

🚘 Route 66: The Mother Road and Its Cultural Impact

The second paragraph focuses on the cultural significance of Route 66 during the Great Depression and Dust Bowl era, which saw it become known as the 'mother road' for the westward-bound migrants seeking a better life. The paragraph also touches on the road's role in boosting commerce and the development of roadside attractions in towns like Amarillo, Texas, and smaller communities. It discusses the unique motel culture that emerged along Route 66 and the limitations imposed by societal prejudices of the time, as exemplified by the necessity of the Green Book for black motorists.

10:02

🛤️ The Decline and Revival of Route 66

This paragraph explores the decline of Route 66 due to the construction of the Interstate Highway System post-1956, which led to the decommissioning of the road and the rise of ghost towns like Glenrio, New Mexico. However, it also highlights efforts to revitalize Route 66 through art and community engagement, as demonstrated by mural creations in Joplin, Missouri, and Galena, Kansas. The narrative includes personal stories of individuals who have found a renewed sense of purpose and connection with Route 66, either through exploration or by becoming part of the road's business community.

15:04

🏜️ Route 66: A Journey Through Time and Legacy

The final paragraph brings the journey along Route 66 to a close by reflecting on the road's role as a conduit for personal histories and legacies of perseverance and hope. It shares anecdotes of individuals whose lives have been touched by Route 66, from a family with historical ties to a house in Williams, Arizona, to a physician seeking a break from his routine. The paragraph also mentions the Vox Video Lab for behind-the-scenes content and acknowledges the coincidence of another channel releasing a similar video on the same day, recommending viewers to explore more on urban planning.

Keywords

💡Route 66

Route 66, also known as the 'Mother Road,' was one of the original highways in the U.S. Highway System. It stretches from Chicago to Santa Monica, California, and symbolizes the American spirit of adventure and exploration. In the video, it is the central theme that connects various stories and experiences of people who have traveled or lived along it.

💡Interstate Highway System

The Interstate Highway System is a network of controlled-access highways that forms a part of the National Highway System in the United States. It was established in 1957 and eventually led to the decommissioning of Route 66 in 1985. The video discusses how the Interstate system bypassed and overshadowed Route 66, but the legacy of the latter remains.

💡Cyrus Avery

Cyrus Avery is known as the 'Father of Route 66' for his instrumental role in the creation of the highway. He was a prominent figure in promoting the highway to benefit his hometown of Tulsa and the establishment of the U.S. Highway 66 Association. The video highlights his contribution to the development of Route 66.

💡Dust Bowl

The Dust Bowl was a period of severe dust storms that greatly damaged the ecology and agriculture of the American and Canadian prairies during the 1930s. The video mentions how Route 66 became the 'Mother Road' for families seeking a better life in the west during the Great Depression and Dust Bowl era.

💡Motel Culture

Motel culture refers to the unique accommodations that emerged along Route 66, providing travelers with places to stay during their road trips. The video describes how Route 66 supported the development of motels, which became an integral part of the road's identity and the travel experience.

💡The Green Book

The Green Book was a guidebook for African-American travelers during the era of racial segregation in the United States, listing establishments that were safe and welcoming to them. The video touches on how Route 66, while a cultural phenomenon, was also subject to the societal norms and limitations of the time, including racial discrimination.

💡Interstate Highway Act of 1956

The Interstate Highway Act of 1956 was a U.S. federal law that funded the construction of the Interstate Highway System. The video explains how this act led to the construction of new highways that overshadowed and eventually led to the decommissioning of Route 66, illustrating the shift in transportation infrastructure priorities.

💡Big Texan Steak Ranch

The Big Texan Steak Ranch is a restaurant in Amarillo, Texas, famous for its challenge where customers can eat a 72-ounce steak with sides in under an hour for free. The video uses this as an example of the unique attractions that Route 66 is known for, even though the ranch is no longer directly on the route.

💡Glenrio

Glenrio is a ghost town in New Mexico that was once a bustling community along Route 66. The video mentions Glenrio as an example of how the towns along Route 66 have changed over time, especially after the construction of the Interstate Highway System.

💡Roadside Attractions

Roadside attractions refer to entertainment venues or unique sights located along highways, designed to attract travelers. The video describes how Route 66 was known for its roadside attractions, contributing to its cultural significance and the memorable experiences it offered to travelers.

💡Revitalization

Revitalization in the context of the video refers to the efforts to restore and celebrate the history and cultural significance of Route 66. It includes initiatives like creating murals and preserving landmarks, as mentioned in the video, which aim to keep the spirit of Route 66 alive.

Highlights

Route 66 is internationally famous and holds a special place in the hearts of travelers from around the world.

The road trip experience on Route 66 is not just about the destination but the journey, with stops at museums and landmarks along the way.

Route 66, also known as the 'Mother Road,' stretches from Chicago to Santa Monica, symbolizing a cross-country adventure.

The history of Route 66 includes its decommission in 1985, yet it retains a strong cultural presence and nostalgia.

Ron Warnick, editor of Route 66 News, discusses the road's enduring legacy and the shared memories of its visitors.

Route 66 has distinct eras and offers secrets, surprises, and a look into its future.

The Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo challenges visitors with a 72-ounce steak eating contest, adding to the road's unique experiences.

Historically, Route 66 was part of a network of privately owned auto trails before the establishment of federal highways.

Cyrus Avery, known as the 'father of Route 66,' played a key role in the highway's creation and promotion.

Route 66's reputation was partly built on the struggles of the Great Depression and Dust Bowl, becoming a symbol of hope and escape.

The road fostered a unique motel culture and roadside attractions, contributing to the economy of towns along its path.

Despite its cultural impact, Route 66 also reflected the societal limitations and prejudices of its time, such as the need for the Green Book for black motorists.

The rise of the Interstate Highway System in the 1960s began to overshadow Route 66, leading to the decline of some towns along the route.

Efforts to revitalize and preserve Route 66 include the creation of murals and the work of associations dedicated to its history.

Personal stories and experiences on Route 66 highlight its significance as a road that carries people's histories and legacies of perseverance.

The video explores the idea that Route 66 is more than a physical road; it represents a journey through America's past and its people's stories.

Route 66's cultural significance is evident in its ability to inspire and create a sense of community among those who have traveled it.

Transcripts

Why does Route 66 matter?

“Hi. My name is Jean and I’m from France.

And last year I went on a trip in the West Coast, and

we passed by Route 66.”

“Our trip was from LA to Chicago all the

way, taking the mother road, haha.” “We would stop at all the museums on the

way, we stopped at the one in Elk City, Oklahoma and we stood on top of the train.”

“I’m Fabian from Germany. Last year, I was visiting my family in California.

While driving on Route 66, I had to stop to take photos of the beautiful sunset.”

“The plan of the trip is to have no plan at all.”

“My husband and I went back and even visited Route 66 and Williams for our honeymoon.”

“Hey.”

Why is Route 66 not only famous, but internationally

famous? “Starting off Route 66.”

The road starts in Chicago, slides down the country,

and ends up all the way in Santa Monica.

Convert that distance to time and you get

a different story. In 1926, the road was commissioned.

By 1957, the Interstate Highway System began, and it bypassed the route by 1970. In 1985,

Route 66 was fully decommissioned. Route 66 has been in the shadows twice as

long as it was in the spotlight. But there’s still this energy around it.

I talked to Ron Warnick, he’s the editor of Route 66 News, which is an obsessive Route

66 site, and his articles just came alive with people reminiscing about Route 66.

“It was about Oklahoma Joes. It was this dive bar in Albuquerque near the University

of New Mexico campus. I put it out there, and pretty soon, all sorts of people were

exchanging their memories about the bar.”

This road has three distinct eras.

It’s got secrets, and surprises, and even a future.

The Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo has

a challenge: eat 72 ounces of steak and sides, in under an hour, and you get it for free.

I am going to switch to phone mode here. Alright. Before you get to a cardiac arrest-threatening challenge

like this, you actually have to go back more than a hundred years.

Before Federal highways, networks of largely privately owned auto trails, like the ones

on this 1920 Rand McNally map, were standard. Look at the chaotic number of options in the

legend. As Federal highway funding laws were passed

in the 1910s and 1920s, new maps planned a linked highway system, like this one drafted

by World War I General John Pershing. This telegram from April 30, 1926, from Springfield,

Missouri established Route 66 (they initially wanted the nice round number of Route 60,

but settled for 66). Cyrus Avery is called the “father of Route

66” for helping create the highway to promote his home of Tulsa and creating the U.S. Highway

66 Association the next year. That connection from Chicago to Santa Monica

was always a weird shape, and less intuitive than a transcontinental road. But it had lobbying

interest behind it and a good starting point with existing roads.

Texaco rated road conditions in maps like this 1934 one. As the legend shows, Route

66 was just a graded road in parts, basically flattened dirt. Look at the journey from Amarillo

to Glenrio. There’s still parts of Route 66 that look like this today. But they finished

paving the whole thing in 1937. To get all that work started in the 1920s,

the Route 66 association pushed stunts and did publicity that wouldn’t have seemed

out of place in the 1950s and 60s. When a transcontinental footrace called the

“Bunion Derby” was run, the association made sure a big part of it took place on Route 66.

But it was struggle that initially made Route

66’s reputation.

“We’re going to California, ain’t we? Alright then, let’s go to California.”

The Great Depression and Dust Bowl — a rut

of drought and erosion — sent families looking West for a better life.

Route 66 was perfectly designed to scoop them up, leading John Steinbeck to write that these

migrants “come into 66 from the tributary side roads, from the wagon tracks and the

rutted country roads. 66 is the mother road, the road of flight.”

Though records show that highways 60 and 70 actually admitted more traffic to California,

Route 66 had become the iconic “mother road.” And then things really got going.

Okay, I have a slight wait before I dine alone, so there’s time for activities.

That thing’s terrifying. “Oh, it is.”

This boot’s a metaphor for steak — and boots.

It’s time.

I feel like the only way to go mega-vi is to get that 72 ounce steak.

OK, see that big 66 on there? Amarillo, Texas, is a good example of a big

Route 66 town. They were already a transportation center.

This 1926 map — the year Route 66 started — shows Amarillo was a railroad hub.

After World War II ended, that existing commerce and Route 66 made it easy to add roadside

attractions. And it’s still that way today.

Over time, Route 66 did this for towns a lot smaller than Amarillo, too.

This is the middle of the video, by the way. Right now. Yeah.

It also did it for Vega, Texas.

Carolyn was nice enough to be my tour guide.

She showed me her house.

“This is Ben’s dad. And grandpa and me.”

“Oh wow.”

She’s very into dinosaurs.

“Armorage and spikes. And teeth.”

“And so where did you find these?”

“Out North of Town.” And she also showed me the Magnolia Gas Station,

which got started just before Route 66 became official. She actually helped restore the

space, including the second floor, where people used to live.

“OK.” “It’s a filling station, but somebody

said at one time they also sold ice. I’m not too sure about that part.”

“The kitchen was green. The bedroom was blue. See, I hung pans up there so you’d

know it was the kitchen.”

“Those pictures are neat because they show

the horses pulling the cars out of the water.”

To support all that travel and all those attractions,

Route 66 had a unique motel culture. Of course, even as it succeeded, Route 66

was limited by the prevailing prejudices of the time.

The Green Book was a traveling guide for black motorists to find safe lodging.

In Tucumcari, New Mexico, in 1960, listed options were scarce.

Route 66 made a culture, but it didn’t change the existing one.

And in the 1960s, just as the Route 66 road trip hit its peak, the road was already being eclipsed.

Today, Glenrio, New Mexico is a ghost town.

It’s not alone.

After the Interstate Highway Act of 1956,

new, better funded interstates were built for defense and infrastructure.

In Texas and New Mexico, you can see how I-40 followed Route 66 in some spots, but also

split away. This is what that can look like.

But it doesn’t have to.

“We had the privilege of designing and creating

two murals, one here in Joplin, Missouri, and another in Galena, Kansas.”

“We wanted to help revitalize and show off our local area on historic Route 66.”

“Route 66.”

“I’m the president of the Oklahoma Statewide

Route 66 association and I’m the chair of the Tulsa Route 66 commission. About ten years

ago, I sold everything I owned and left the country and I backpacked for ten months throughout

Southeast Asia and Europe. When I got home to Tulsa, which is where I was raised, I thought

Okay, I’ve seen all these amazing places, what does Tulsa have? Of course, Route 66

goes right through Tulsa. I thought, well, it’s been here the whole time, I haven’t

really paid attention, and started exploring it.”

“I’m Larry Smith and I’m owner/operator of the Motel Safari in Tucumcari, New Mexico,

on historic Route 66.” “Yeah, this is the motel I’m staying at.”

“I’d hit a wall with my job at the time and I noticed while I was driving 66 that

the road was using a lot of that older generation. It really needed the right people to own the

businesses along the Route.”

But saving Route 66 doesn’t answer the big

question: why it matters.

So I did not eat a 72-ounce steak. But I found

somebody who did. “This is the most excited I’ve been for

an interview since I talked to an astronaut.” “The story behind it is that I compete in

track and field professionally, I throw the shot. I was kind of injured at the time and

I performed really terribly and we were gonna drive through Amarillo. I heard about the

steak, so I’m like, ‘I have to have one win.’ And honestly, it’s not the fullness,

it’s the chewing. By the end I was like, I can’t chew anything else and I was drinking

as much water as possible to get it down. I’m glad I did it but I don’t know if

I’d ever do that again. I mean, I do a lot of ridiculous things. Hey, didn’t do well

at this track meet? I’m gonna eat a 72-ounce steak to prove to myself I can overcome something.”

The Big Texan Ranch isn’t on Route 66 anymore. The owner moved it closer to I-40 in 1970.

And yet it still is Route 66. We think of places on a map as dots. But maybe

a place can be a line.

“There was desert as far as the eye can

see.” “I was getting to the point where I needed

a break from seeing patients in and out. So I called up my friend from med school and

said, ‘hey we have this window, would you be interested in a road trip?’”

“Route 66 kinda became a character in our journey. It was kinda like the Oregon Trail

with all the challenges popping up, and the prize at the end was our new home at the end

of the highway.” “I had a flat tire. So I took my camera

out and took some long exposure shots of my car and the night sky.”

“So the graduation gift to my three boys as they exit high school is a 14-day

driving trip out West — St. George, Utah — to meet my biological family.”

“My great great grandfather, Ramon Negrette, emigrated from Mexico to a tiny town in Arizona

called Williams in the early 1900s, before Route 66 was there. He painted the house yellow

and it is still there today, the yellow house in Williams. We think my great grandma still haunts

the house? What I love about Route 66 is that it’s not just a road that’s going through

tiny towns and big towns in America. It’s a road that goes through people’s histories

and carries legacies of perseverance and hope, and I think that’s what makes it so fascinating

and so beautiful.”

Alright, that’s it for this road trip along Route 66. I’m about to read a couple of

comments from the last episode all about why every suburb looks the same, but first I just

want to give a little plug for the Vox Video Lab. In there right now I’ve got a special

video that shows exactly how I did one shot in the Route 66 video that you just saw. It’s

an obsessive, nerdy, technical breakdown and that’s the kind of behind-the-scenes stuff

that you always get in the Video Lab, in addition to supporting big videos like this one. Now

let’s look at a couple of comments. “As a European, it’s so weird to see streets

without a pavement/sidewalk. Where tf are you supposed to walk?”

Yeah. City Beautiful and Vox both made a video on

this in the same day. Yes. This is the craziest coincidence I’ve

experienced in almost 100 videos. We turned out to be video soulmates and we made this

video very very close apart even though both of us had been working on it for months. But

the take home point here, besides a crazy coincidence or glitch in the Matrix? City

Beautiful’s an awesome channel if you’re interested in urban planning. Go ahead and

add them to your subscription feed if you want more videos like that. That’s it for

this one, the next episode of this Road Trip edition of Almanac is the last one, and it

tackles how roads can shape public policy in really unexpected ways.