Page 1 - Chicago To LA On The Mother Road
The year is now 1926 and Route 66 is open for business!
Did You Know? - Route 66, established in 1926, was a historic American highway linking Chicago to Santa Monica, California, known as the "Mother Road". It was central to the migration of Dust Bowl families to California, the flow of military supplies during World War II, and the rise of cross-country road trips in the 1950s. After its decommissioning in 1985, various acts of Congress led to the creation of the Historic Route 66 National Scenic Byway.
It All Begins In Chicago!
Let the traffic begin!
The Board And Volunteers Set Up The Room!
Name tags, historical table, lighting, backdrops, centerpieces!
A perfect backdrop for this evening!
First stop, Dwight Ill.
Checking out the Route 66 shirts!
"I found the next destination"
The table is ready to go and dour Greeter is doing a bang-up job!!
We are almost ready to open the doors!
Practicing their smiles!
Did You Know? - Pontiac, IL trivia includes its founding in 1837, its county seat status for Livingston County, and its namesake being Chief Pontiac, the leader of Pontiac's Rebellion. A significant piece of Pontiac, IL trivia is that it hosts the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame, a major tourist attraction for Route 66 heritage travelers.
All sorts of memorabilia was on display!
We Lost Two Long Time Members In August, RIP Dear Ones!
The Road Was Bust During The Depression!
Did You Know? - During the Great Depression, Route 66 was known as the "Mother Road," serving as a primary migration route for "Dust Bowl" refugees seeking new lives in California and Arizona, and also a route for workers employed by New Deal programs to improve the highway.
The increased traffic from these migrants and workers fueled a unique roadside economy of small businesses like motels and gas stations that relied on the travelers for survival.
The highway became a symbol of hardship, resilience, and hope, forever etched into the American consciousness by migrants and later immortalized in John Steinbeck's novel The Grapes of Wrath.
It still remains in tact in many places.
Did You Know? - Approximately 85% of the original Route 66 is still drivable today, though it exists under various names and is often broken up by Interstate highways like I-40.
While the U.S. Highway itself was decommissioned in 1985, many sections are preserved as "Historic Route 66" or are still functioning as local roads, allowing travelers to experience much of the original path.
Del Kuhn had this sign in his garage for fifty years!
Our centerpieces were done with love thanks the Jim and Vicky!
The Bears are watching!
The Doors Are Open At 6:20 PM
We are ready to go!
The Elks Lodge surprised us with a Route 66 cake!
Guests of Bill Capps were Johnny on the spot!
OK, who put their finger in the icing?
Was it Vicky, Mary, or Donna???
The Chain Of Rocks Bridge in Saint Louis Missouri
Members and guests begin to flow in and find their tables.
Love those shirts! Ed and Betty are dressed for the occasion.
Did You Know? - Cyrus Avery, a teacher turned oil and gas company president, was a driving (pun intended) force behind much of Route 66's early development.
Avery had been a champion of bigger, better roads since becoming a member of the grassroots Good Roads Movement in the early 1900s. In 1924, he was appointed Oklahoma State Highway Commissioner.
As commissioner, Avery joined forces with businessman John Woodruff to advocate for a single roadway that would link the Midwest with the West. But while his vision spanned half the country, one of Avery's biggest motivations for involvement in the interstate project was a local one.
By constructing a highway through his home state, he reasoned he could siphon traffic—and travelers' cash—away from other cities like Denver, Colorado, and Kansas City, Missouri.
The girls do some real-time research about Route 66.
Oh my... Bill Capps is in uniform tonight!
p.s. His shirt is from Lulu Lemon!
Mary makes sure he has all the destination on the shirt!
OR, he will have to go to Lulu Lemon and enforce the "Lemon Law"
"Paul! I do NOT get mad, I GET EVEN!!"
The music begins!
We are now in Posta Rollo Missouri!
The dance floor begins to fill with happy travelers.
Last minute check gets a visit from El Presidente, Bob Z.
Movin' and Groovin'
Someone is happy!!
The dust is flying!
Horses Doo Vers Are Served!
One could almost make a meal from these!
Checkout the table cloths.
The band keeps us busy.
Air Conditioning? Nope! Breakdown, circa 1930
Traveling music.
Love those shirts
Lookin' good! Memories return!
The photographer takes charge!
"Perfect shot!!"
Donna and Sandee... Sandee is dressed for the road!
Jim and Vicky hit the floor!
Hang on Jim! Don't let me go!!
The band was in rare form tonight playing a little bit of everything!
The floor was full so.....
The kids went "off-roading"
...and more off roading in the back of the room!
Iris was one when the Route 66 was opened!
Bucks Bar in Oklahoma!
A historic bar in Oklahoma City, built in 1896.
Who Was Here This Evening?
BTW, we have a lot of miles to cover before getting to California!