Historic US Route 66 and American Pop Culture

Route 66 went from Chicago to Los Angeles. It covered a total of 2,448 miles. It went through eight States. It was an advanced route for westward expansion. Beginning in the 1930's, it also allowed for the establishment of many new businesses in the travel industry.

John Steinbeck referred to it as the "Mother Road", in his book The Grapes of Wrath. Route 66 helped to support many communities economically, as it snaked it's way through. The highway allowed for businesses to set up and grow significantly. The transportation of goods became a lot more expedient across the nation. But, more than any of this was the advancement of American Pop Culture.

Pop Culture
I suppose that Nat King Cole's pop hit "Route 66" got it all started. Then came the TV series Route 66 that starred George Maharis, that ran for a few years on CBS. The song that opened the show even became a pop hit. It is till used today to open and close many radio programs.

The use of neon signs also grew during the time that route 66 was being used. They were used to attract customers to motels, restaurants and local attractions. Along with neon signs came the use of the highway billboard. Billboards attracted business and was a business in itself.

Fast food restaurants were able to boom quickly. Places like the Dixie Truck Stop, White Castle, The Diamonds, and the Ariston became places to stop. Some even stayed open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Eventually chains like McDonald's, Wendy's, Burger Chef and Burger King took advantage of route 66 and began expanding their restaurant chains.

Movies and television shows took advantage of the highway to begin filming on location. Many outdoor Drive In theaters were opened to take advantage of the highway. Many small towns would locate their theaters along the highway.

Roadside attractions also became a way of life along route 66. Museums, Tee-pee shaped motels, curio shops, walnut factories, frozen custard stands, and amusing landmarks added to the pop culture of US route 66.

Travel along route 66 was an family exciting journey. The trucking industry needed larger, faster and safer highways to transport goods. By the early 1970's, US route 66 became like the Pony Express. It was outdated and inadequate. It quickly disappeared from maps and as a way of transportation.

There are still some small parts of the highway that exist today. Many parts are used as frontage roads to local towns. For many baby boomers, it is a memory from their past.

sources; Historic66.com