Approved in 1926, the historic highway grew to become a cultural icon
Smithsonian Magazine
By Sarah Kuta
May 3, 2023
Route 66's 100th anniversary is coming up in 2026. Randy Heinitz via Flickr under CC BY 2.06 For decades, Route 66, known as the “Main Street of America,” was the major east-west route connecting Chicago and Los Angeles. Now stretching 2,400 miles, the highway has become a beloved cultural icon, appearing in songs, TV shows, books and movies. Now, in preparation for Route 66’s 100th anniversary in 2026, parts of the historic route are getting much-needed upgrades. The Illinois government announced last week that it was allocating $6.6 million for Route 66 preservation, education, tourism and promotion projects within the state, which is home to roughly 300 miles of the popular highway. That funding will help support a variety of projects, including the addition of electric vehicle charging stations, new signage, architectural pylons and murals.
View the full article: Smithsonianmag.com
Comments