100 Years of Americana
Happy Centennial Route 66
I have written about Route 66 before…and, I will write about Route 66 again. To review the basics, Route 66 is one of the original US highways established in 1926. This east/west highway was the main route of travel for 2,448 miles between Chicago, Illinois, and Santa Monica, CA.
Now, fast forwarding a bit…US Route 66 rapidly declined with the advent of the interstate highway system and the proliferation of air travel. Much of the history along Route 66 got paved over, decayed, forgotten and/or destroyed. However, mostly during the 1980s, many states formed Route 66 associations to preserve and remember the history of US Rt 66. Now, as its 2026, many of these Route 66 associations will be hosting events to celebrate 100 years of Americana… Happy Centennial Route 66.
Thanks to an Angel
The transition to “historic Route 66” did not happen by accident. Rather, this preservation effort started in the 1980s in the small town of Seligman, Arizona. More specifically, most people credit the beginnings of the Route 66 preservation effort to Angel Delgadillo, a humble, local barber from Seligman, Arizona.
In the late 1970s, the completion of interstate I-40 allowed east-west traffic to bypass Seligman. In response, Angel Delgadillo started the Route 66 Association of Arizona. Obviously, their purpose was to encourage people to get off the interstate and visit Seligman via old Route 66. Angel’s efforts were so successful that in 1987, the US government officially declared Route 66 from Seligman to Kingman, Arizona, to be a historic highway.
Seligman today
Today, I would not classify Seligman as a bustling town. Its about 400 residents along one road with no stop lights. But, what is there is pure Route 66 Americana. Furthermore, Angel Delgadillo still lives. He turns 99 this year. He still lives in Seligman and can often be found in his Route 66 ice cream shop or his gift shop.
Angel’s businesses are the first shops as you enter the town from the east. They serve as the focal point for tourist activity. After that, for the remaining 0.4 miles of Seligman, its just one Rt 66 dedicated business after another…
So, if you are traveling across northern Arizona, get off the interstate, visit Angel and experience the Route 66 Americana in Seligman.
Carol’s Reward
As you may expect, when I drag my beloved wife, Carol, to places like Seligman…there better be something in it for her. So, I timed my visit with lunch and made plans to take her to the finest dining that Seligman had to offer. On the far west end of Seligman, you will find the Roadkill Cafe.
“You kill it…We grill it.” The ambience of the Roadkill CafĂ© did not disappoint. I would describe it as a tribute to dollar bills, dead animals, and your Second Amendment rights. To be fair, Carol and I both enjoyed our lunch. Our roadkill was properly prepared and the service was great. In the spirit of the meal, I even enjoyed my food with a cold Sarsaparilla…as they had no PBR.
Wrap It Up
As I said, Seligman is a great place to appreciate historic Route 66…but, there are many such places. In 2026, there will be events from Chicago to Santa Monica celebrating 100 years of Americana. So, if you happen to be anywhere near historic Route 66, be sure to take a moment to wish Route 66 a Happy Centennial.
Have a wonderful day, PT.
I hope you have enjoyed reading “100 Years of Americana” on Traveling with PugsleyTonks.
Here was another post where Carol enjoyed some roadkill… https://travelingwithpt.com/roadkill-cook-off-2023/
Here is the informatin on the 2026 Route 66 Centennial Celebration… https://route66centennial.org/
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