“The Rise and Fall of Route 66: How America's 'Mother Road' Faded Into Obscurity” — what this page in the network covers. Route 66, once called the 'Main Street of America,' was a vital economic lifeline for countless small towns across eight states. From its establishment in 1926, the 2,448-mile highway connected Chicago to Los Angeles, funneling travelers, commerce, and opportunity into rural communities that otherwise would have remained isolated. Motels, diners, gas stations, and roadside attractions flourished, creating a unique cultural landscape that defined mid-20th-century American road travel.
But the interstate system's arrival in the 1950s and 1960s bypassed these towns, diverting traffic and revenue. By 1985, Route 66 was officially decommissioned, and many communities along the old road were left economically stranded. Today, remnants of the highway—weathered signs, abandoned buildings, and fading memories—serve as poignant reminders of a bygone era. This listing links straight to the original page, where the content is available in full.