Get Your Kicks: The Story Behind Route 66!

There are a handful of things that through the years have become staples of Americana. Our beautiful national parks, our bustling cities, and fired food have given us a brand that is uniquely American. But one of the most famous pieces of culture that has inspired generations of Americans and people across the globe is our highway system. And we can't talk about American highways without talking about Route 66!

Known as the Main Street of America, this highway was built in 1926 and was one of the original roads built for the the American Highway system. It travels all the way from Chicago, Illinois to Santa Monica, California. During the dust bowl of the 1930's the road became a popular route for those seeking to rebuild a life out west and was the primary setting for most of the action in John Steinbeck's 1939 novel The Grapes of Wrath. The influx of traffic caused a ton of vendors and business owners to set up shop along the highway to increase sales. One of the first Steak N' Shakes was built on Route 66 and is still there today. There's dinosaur museums, the Uranus Fudge company, the Catoosa Blue Whale, and an unlimited supply of restaurants, bars, and gift shops!

So next time you want to experience a little slice of Americana, set your sights on Route 66. It's a trip many Americans have made and one that continues to inspire and educate tourists and locals with its beauty and variety.

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