Begin Route 66

There it is:  the famous “Begin route 66” marking its start. Because it’s right here, on the corner of East Adams Street in Chicago, that it all begins. The End sign, on the other hand, can be found 3940 km away, on the Santa Monica pier in Los Angeles. Now decommissioned, Route 66 no longer exists as such. It is now a mythical itinerary marked by the famous brown signs stamped with the big 66 and following its former route. Old Route 66 runs through a 1950s America, where time seems to stand still, with ghost towns filled with nostalgic images of a bygone era. The neon lights of motels, the old leather seats of diners, the abandoned gas stations – a real throwback into the glory days . But let’s take a quick look back at the history of this extraordinary road, the ultimate symbol of American gigantism. It all began in the 1920s, when two businessmen, Cyrus Avery and John Woodruff, set themselves the challenge of linking the east of the country to the seemingly inaccessible west, which at the time was far less populated. To achieve this, they decided to build an asphalt road linking existing roads with the towns and villages they passed through. It was in this sense that Steinbeck dubbed Route 66 “the Mother Road” in The Grapes of Wrath. It crosses 8 states and 3 time zones, revitalizing the regions it passed through, and offering business opportunities to Americans who had previously lived in neglected areas. Motels, gas stations, grocery stores, cafés, etc. flourished along the route. It was the first paved transcontinental highway in the United States, and opened the way to the West for all those who wanted to escape the misery of the East. However Route 66 is also a call to discover one’s own country, and go on a road trip. For Americans, this road is something special. The automobile industry is an integral part of the country’s economic expansion. Obama even called it the backbone of American industry. Just look at the evolution of car ownership! In 1913, there were 1.2 million cars, and just ten years later, 19 million! In the 50s, the car industry experienced an unprecedented boom, rising from 25 million to almost 70 million in just a decade! After the Second World War, President Eisenhower, who had been very impressed by the German highway network, launched the creation of Interstate 40. Route 66 was ageing and could no longer support the intensity oftraffic. With the development of new highways and the Interstate replacing part of it, Route 66 was gradually abandoned and officially decommissioned in 1985. This was a tragedy, for all the businesses and villages that depended on Route 66 for their livelihood, . Entire villages were abandoned,  but over the past few years, states that have understood the heritage value of the route have begun to breathe new life into it. Some historic sites have been restored, and associations of enthusiasts are trying to maintain its memory. In any case, Route 66 is part of American culture, and offers nostalgic experiences to all those willing to try the adventure. Across the street, imposing and gigantic, you have The Art Institute of Chicago, which is, quite simply, one of the world’s greatest art museums.