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Its Best Days "After the war, Americans were more mobile than ever before". Whether for pleasure or for business, Route 66 gained importance. With the mild and dry winters in California and Arizona, for example, many people chose Route 66 to move there, leaving the rough and cold Northeast behind. As more and more people traveled on Route 66 there was a growing need created for various businesses to accommodate the travelers. Of course one of the first and most important services needed were "Filling Stations". This alone necessitated large tanks to move gasoline to the various stations along Route 66. Since the travelers were often isolated on Route 66 for days, there was a great need created for other accommodations, such as motels, restaurants, general stores and gift shops, just to mention a few. It is easy to see how all these establishments caused ever heavier traffic on Route 66. As in business everywhere, Route 66 had its own way of furthering competition among the many filling stations. Although it might not be the most obvious, it is nevertheless the most logical means to an end; super clean and attractive restrooms! In fact, to this day Route 66 is well known for its very clean restrooms..... Many of the newly created businesses were owned by farmers who saw an opportunity while traveling west, thus deciding to settle along the now famous route. In general it is said that they made a good living during the highway's heydays. This was the "Golden Age of Route 66". An unforeseen lust to travel by car caused tourism to flourish. Since most travelers were now financially better situated, they had also become more choosy and demanding. This in turn created many more jobs along Route 66, as more comfortable motels with pools, TV's and airconditionings needed to be built. Shortly after World War II Americans began their love affair with suburban life. Tourism created a heavy demand for souvenirs and light family entertainment along Route 66. The rich fifties transformed Route 66 into a "Rolling Show". Within the automobile, the "Mechanical bride of the Nation" (McLuhan), one could experience the greatness of the country as if in flight. To further good feelings drive-in theaters were established along Route 66. Films, songs, two museums and 700 international club members claim Route 66 as their motto. The publishing of "A Guide Book to Highway 66", by Jack D. Rittenhouse only contributed to the popularity of Route 66. It is only natural that with such growth of a highway, there would also be problems. Most obvious was the increased number of accidents. As more and more big rigs crowded the highway, and traffic in general increases rapidly, Route 66 soon became too narrow. Of course the ever faster driving speeds did not help, and soon Route 66 was labeled "Bloody 66" or "Killer Road". |
