The story starts in 1925 when Congress enacted legislation for a national highway system. Ultimately Route 66 joined Chicago and Los Angeles through a series of zig-zagging roads that linked the small and not-so-small towns of America. The goal was to help rural communities transport produce and grain opening for business as a completely paved road in 1938. It joined main streets across America – and giving the road its other moniker the Main Street of America.

It soon did more than transport produce, Americans flocked to the highway pouring money into the towns along the way which prospered or failed by their proximity. Although ultimately done-in by the national highways, Route 66 left a legacy that is still there to explore.

Armed with books and pamphlets about what to see along the way, we took off and immediately discovered that following the Mother Road is tricky, what with the dead ends, dirt roads, and multiple roads all claiming to be Route 66. And they were – given the penchant for towns to do “alignments” also known as let’s put signs up on another stretch of road and make that route 66. We soon learned to do the “highway hop” shuttling between sections of I-40 and paved sections of Route 66 and investigating the venerable and endangered highway heritage attractions along the way.

Yes, endangered. On June 14th (2007) the National Park Service announced that Route 66 was named to the World Monuments Fund 2008 Watch List of 100 Most Endangered Sites, among such others as the cultural sites of Iraq, Machu Picchu in Peru, and modern Shanghai in China. Although it wasn’t our focus, motels on Route 66 are considered to be particularly threatened and as a category have been named to the 2007 America’s Eleven Most Endangered Places List by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

We’ll be adding to this listing as we expand our travels.

Cuervo

Not all the towns survived the passing of the Mother Road. Oddly enough, Route 40 runs by the town, and even has an exit for fuel, but Cuervo has a long-gone feel and a few truckers tanking up at the easy-off/easy-on filling station clearly isn’t enough to keep the town viable. According to Kathy Weiser of Legends Of America Cuervo was founded in the very early 1900s as part of the Southern Pacific railroad and subsequently became a cattle town. Between the railroad, cattle, and Route 66, Cuervo had churches, schools, and businesses. Today, it appears to be an abandoned with the ruins of a beauty shop, and shells of homes along a stretch of empty road. However, there was an anomaly that intrigued us. A intact church with plexiglass windows and a sturdily locked door. And intact houses in the land well beyond the road. The highway I-40 truly bisects the town and the remaining ghost buildings are on the north side of the interstate.

Santa Rosa

Relics of the cafes, motels, and sights linger in this small town which celebrates its road heritage. Called the City of Natural Lakes, folks coming for a visit for the Blue Hole – an 80-foot-deep spring known for its clear blue water. But since we were on a Route 66 trip, we visited the Route 66 Auto Museum which is a gem of nostalgia. It was started by James Cordova as place for his vintage car collection and has grown to include not only beautifully restored vehicles but memorabilia from that era. The Auto Museum fronts on part of the historic Route 66 so is a natural stopping place, and easily spotted by the yellow car atop a high pole.

Tucumcari

Our next stop was Tucumcari still rich with Route 66 living nostalgia including the politically incorrect Teepee Curios with its large teepee entrance, and the 1940s Blue Swallow Motel. My personal favorite was the 17 wall murals of Tucumcari celebrating its history and culture, including the Mother Road. Painted by Doug and Sharon Quarles they grace building walls turning brick into canvas for their murals. You can pick up a map of the murals at the visitors center or download the map at: Tucumcarinm.com

On your way into (or out of town) enjoy the Route 66 Road Side Attraction sculpture by Tom Coffin. The sculpture sits three stories tall alongside Route 66 in front of the Tucumcari Convention Center on the west end of town and is their homage to Route 66.

Route 66 wasn’t the only national highway – there was the Lincoln Road, and the Dixie Highway but it was the one that captured the heart of America. And still holds our hearts today.

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