History Day 

Construction

Early History

Effects on Life

Travel Log

"Personality"

Demise

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Route 66 passed through Illinois, Missouri,  Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California. Each state was affected in some way by its construction and opening. 

Route 66 provided the only link to major cities such as Los Angeles to many of the small towns it passed. It was the only major thoroughfare that many people in the mid-west had access to. Because of Route 66, many people that could not get to locations far from their homes could drive around the country.

The Ford Model T.

However, one of the major improvements that Route 66 brought was to give the US was a renewed sense of freedom, similar to the sense when the car became commonplace.  After Henry Ford developed the assembly line and Model-T's were selling like hot-cakes, many people started traveling.  Now relatives could visit each other even if they lived many miles away.  The construction of Route 66 only added to this sense of freedom.  Not only could you go see Aunt Bessie in California, you could get there quickly!

The opening of Route 66 was hailed as a huge success for the country. Many people felt intense nationalism after the highway was opened.  Now, they could get around the country and all they needed was a car. 

However, many people also disagreed with the opening of such a huge thoroughfare through their towns.  They had many of the same concerns as people do today.  There was, as there is now,  the noise factor and increased crime to worry about, as well as having to deal with serious accidents right outside your front door.

All in all, Route 66 affected most people positively, not negatively.  That is another reason why Route 66 is a major frontier in history.