Route 66 was one of the major highways that contributed to the National Highway System in the USA. It was built in 1926. It provided the shortest practicable route between Chicago and Los Angeles.
It was also termed as 'Mother Road'. It was termed so because the road beckoned people who wished to travel westwards in search of jobs during The Great Depression (the 1930s). However, after the Depression, the route was spirited as one of America's well-known highways for adventure.
Soon, however, with the interception of the new interstate highways, especially Interstate 40, Route 66 highway ceased to function as much as before. The visitors stopped driving by. And the towns along the route gradually died out. The subject is a reflection of how a change in transport systems influences the community in the region.
Seligman & Destination Point: Santa Monica Pier (in red) along the Route 66 Highway
Angel Delgadillo & Revival of the Historic Route 66:
Delgadillo is an inhabitant, from one of the towns, Seligman, along the now deserted Route 66. The community of Seligman had been negatively impacted by the bypass of the route. He is a barber by profession. He had been instrumental in reviving Route 66 as a Historic Route and attractive as a tourist destination.
Delgadillo in front of his Barber Shop
Source: Route 66
He founded the Arizona Route 66 Association in 1987 as a way to campaign for the Historic Route. This then became the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona. He is highly accredited for taking steps towards the revival scheme. Following Delgadillo, other towns along the route also began similar initiatives to revive their communities and identities.
It is also said that Delgadillo inspired the storyline behind the run-down town called 'Radiator Springs' in the movie, 'Cars'.
Seligman now holds the title of the 'Birthplace of Historic Route 66'
Source: Shutterstock
Seligman Commercial Historic District, Arizona
Seligman is one of the towns in the State of Arizona through which Route 66 passes. The town has been instrumental in preserving the route, now known as, Historic Route 66. Establishing the town as a Historic District protects the commercial establishments along the route.
20th century themed commercial establishments. The vibe of the town inspired 'Radiator Springs'
Some of these revived & now protected establishments include:
Seligman Sundries - Built in 1904
This was originally a theatre and a dance hall. It then became a convenience store around the 1930s. It currently houses a coffee shop and souvenir store for visitors.
Shell Gas Station named Return to the 50s - Built in 1966
Seligman Depot
A Historic 1953 Chrysler New Yorker Police car. The Seligman Garage is located in the background, built in 1905
The Sign for Copper Cart
This was built in 1952. Earlier it was a well-known, classic diner. It now is a dealer for Vintage Cars.
Representation in Movies:
Seligman has been incidentally been represented in the movie 'Cars'. The overall vibe carries a similar identity to that of Seligman. In the movie, the town is named 'Radiator Springs'. The theme of the town represented also narrates the echoes of what happened along Route 66 as the times changed.
A scene from 'Cars'
The animated characters of the cars have been inspired by the automobile collection that has been presented in the town. The references to most of these cars can be compared with the site pictures.
The film-makers were influenced by how Seligman has held on to the spirit of Route 66. Probably the reason why this town was chosen from the remaining towns along the historic route.
End of Route 66 Trail, Santa Monica Pier:
Overlooking the ocean, The Santa Monica Pier serves as a metaphoric end to the Historic Route 66 Trail. It includes colourful shops with architectural elements from the 20th-century towns along Route 66, restaurants an amusement park, a historic carousel and a vibrant carnival atmosphere.
End of Trail, Santa Monica Pier
Source: Judy Hinckley
Colourful 90's themes restaurants along the pier. These serve a variety of seafood
The Bubba Gump Shrimp Co, inspired by the well-known Hollywood movie from 1994, 'Forrest Gump'
Route 66, a Cultural Symbol:
All the factors that led to its revival contributed to the association of Route 66 as a significant highway icon. This earned it a trademark and a widespread, international following.
After the development of 5 interstate highways that replaced Route 66, the historic route became an icon of nostalgia. It represented the decades from the 1930s to the 1950s. It symbolized especially, the delights of auto tourism & its coming of age.
Route 66 - Gallup, New Mexico
Source: City of Gallup
When the interstate highways began, the motorists enjoyed the thrill of new, safe and faster roadways. However, soon, the longing for 'slow-paced travel' had increased. Although Route 66 was narrower and crowded, it provided a quaint and humanizing feeling due to its motley collection of vernacular, street-side towns. It had provided the travellers an experiential - travel & adventure landscape - layover towns and the natural landscapes in alterations.
The new highways, however, had a bland travel landscape in comparison. The Revival of Historic Route 66 is a promise of a continuing history & cultural significance
Bibliography, References & Influences:
Steinbeck, J. (1939). The Grapes of Wrath. The Viking Press - James Lloyd.
Dedek, P. B. (2007). Hip to the Trip - A Cultural History of Route 66. University of New Mexico Press, Albuquerque.
Hinckley, J. (2011). Ghost Town of Route 66. Voyageur Press.
Hinckley, J. (2014). Travel Route 66 - A Guide to History, Sights, and Destinations Along the Main Street of America. Voyageur Press.
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