Route 66 celebrates centennial anniversary

Route 66 is celebrating its centennial year, marking 100 years since its inauguration in 1926. Originally designed to connect Chicago to Santa Monica, the highway spans approximately 2,448 miles across eight states, including Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California.

Known as the ‘Mother Road,’ the highway gained historical significance during the Great Depression as a primary migration route for families moving west toward California. It has left a lasting cultural legacy, appearing frequently in literature, such as John Steinbeck’s ‘The Grapes of Wrath,’ and in popular music, including the Nat King Cole standard ‘(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66.’

Today, the route remains a major destination for travelers seeking vintage Americana. Notable landmarks include the Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, New Mexico, and the Blue Hole in Santa Rosa, a freshwater oasis that maintains a constant temperature of 61 degrees Fahrenheit.