A new book on the history of Route 66, called “Route 66: The First 100 Years,” was released in May 2025. (Courtesy of Jim Ross)
With its 100th birthday on the horizon, Route 66 will soon be in the spotlight again.
Now, a new book chronicling the history of the famous road that runs from Chicago to the Los Angeles area adds to the notoriety surrounding the highway’s centennial.
Using words and more than 350 new and historic photos, the book tells the tale of Route 66 “through the legendary highway’s life, demise and renaissance,” a news release states.
A man is seen next to a directional arrow sign along Route 66 in Hesperia in San Bernardino County. It appears in the book “Route 66: The First 100 Years.” (Courtesy of Jim Ross)
A family enjoys a roadside picnic in 1946 along Route 66 in California. It appears in the book “Route 66: The First 100 Years.” (Courtesy of Jim Ross)
Visitors pose June 1, 2025, for pictures at the Santa Monica Pier, where Route 66 ends. (Photo by E. Jason Wambsgans, Chicago Tribune/TNS)
Roy’s Motel and Cafe, seen Tuesday, June 3, 2025, is a motel, cafe and gas station being restored along Route 66 in Amboy in San Bernardino County. (Photo by E. Jason Wambsgans, Chicago Tribune)
The iconic Wigwam Motel is seen Sept. 2, 2005, along Route 66 in San Bernardino. (File photo by Stan Lim, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
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A man is seen next to a directional arrow sign along Route 66 in Hesperia in San Bernardino County. It appears in the book “Route 66: The First 100 Years.” (Courtesy of Jim Ross)
It covers Route 66 — which stretches more than 2,000 miles — “from its birth in 1926 through its centennial, and the events, people and places that created the legacy ensuring America’s Mother Road a place in the hearts and minds of the nation,” the release states.
The roadway existed before the rise of the interstate highway and was popularized by the 1940s R&B hit that included the line “Get your kicks on Route 66” and a 1960s TV series.
In Southern California, it runs through the Inland Empire and San Gabriel Valley before ending in Santa Monica.
Locally, a festival celebrating car culture in San Bernardino known as the Route 66 Rendezvous began in 1990 and continued for many years. It later gave way to the Rendezvous Back to Route 66 car show. Another event, the Route 66 Cruisin’ Reunion continues in Ontario.
New book marks 100 years of Route 66 News A new book on the history of Route 66, called “Route 66: The First 100 Years,” was released in May 2025. (Courtesy of Jim Ross) With its 100th birthday on the horizon, Route 66 will soon be in the spotlight again. Now, a new book chronicling the history of the…
New book marks 100 years of Route 66 News A new book on the history of Route 66, called “Route 66: The First 100 Years,” was released in May 2025. (Courtesy of Jim Ross) With its 100th birthday on the horizon, Route 66 will soon be in the spotlight again. Now, a new book chronicling the history of the…
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