Remembering where it all started and helps inform where we’re going. We share these articles, stories, maps and details so that you can envision what Route 66 was in the beginning and it's evolution.
It's not all nostalgia, Route 66 is a living breathing illustration of our need as people to seek—to wander and to explore new things.
It's not all nostalgia, Route 66 is a living breathing illustration of our need as people to seek—to wander and to explore new things.
Top left: Arizona-NM state line on Route 66. Photographer: Arthur Rothstein for the Farm Security Administration, 1940. Top center: Postcard of Central Avenue (Route 66) in Albuquerque. Top right: 1929 New Mexico automobile license plate. Bottom left: Map showing Route 66 in New Mexico. Bottom right: Travel mat showing the “Scenic US 66 Hi-Way”
Sharing the Love of Route 66 in New Mexico
ARTICLES AND HISTORY
From the National Parks Five Part Essay Series on Route 66
Route 66: An Overview
Before 1926: The Origins of Route 66
Route 66: 1926-1945
Post War Years: 1945-1960
Demise and Resurgence of Interest in Route 66
The Allure of Historic Route 66 (2022)
Here’s a look at the history of Route 66 and its enduring fame from our friends at Scenic America.
Read More
Back in Time: Route 66—The Mother Road
An overview by Rickie Longfellow for the Federal Highway Administration
Read More
Route 66 and New Mexico: Past and Present
A brief history from the New Mexico Museum of Art
Read More
Hannett’s Joke: Route 66 (published 2000)
Read this and you'll appreciate the quirky politics of the time.
Download File
Vintage Travel Place Mats (date unknown)
See the USA in a Chevrolet was playing on the radio and along Route 66, you might see place mats with recommended stops: Mat #1 is from Chicago, IL to Springfield, MO; Mat #2 shows Springfield, MO and Shamrock, TX and Mat #3 shares stops from Shamrock, TX to Los Angeles, CA.
Download File (#1)
Download File (#2)
Download File (#3)
Greetings from New Mexico Along Old Route 66, Robert Waldmire Postcard (1993)
Download File
2009 Corridor Management Plan (2009)
The 2009 Corridor Management Plan is a comprehensive document outlining history, community and plans to carry forward the preservation of Route 66 in New Mexico.
Download File
The Historical and Architectural Resources of Route 66 Through New Mexico (1992)
Read the report written by David Kammer, PhD.
Download File
Historical Route 66 Maps
New Mexico has not one—but two—routes of the Mother Road. Bothe pre- and post-1937 alignment maps are available.
Download File (Pre-1937)
Download File (Post 1937)
And from “Historic and Architectural Resources of Route 66 Through New Mexico” by Dr. David Kammer for the New Mexico Historic Preservation Division, October, 1992. Redrawn from Albuquerque.
Download File
Route 66: Sharing Our History
Hispanic Legacies of Route 66 in New Mexico
Read More
Albuquerque Museum Photo Archives
Albuquerque Museum's rich archive of historic photographs document Albuquerque, its people, architecture, businesses, urban landscape, and depictions of daily life and important events
More Info
City of Albuquerque Historic Landmarks
Learn more about Albuquerque's historic landmarks.
More Info
Historic Route 66: Still Glowing in the Modern Era
Running through the heart of Albuquerque along Central Avenue, this historic highway leads travelers through some of the city’s most beloved neighborhoods and is still a jumping off point for transportation.
More Info
A Slice of Old Historic Route 66—Tucumcari, New Mexico (2018)
With Bernalillo in our rearview mirror, we were now officially eastbound on I-40. True to our desire to not drive more than 200 miles per segment and stay at least two days at each stop, we set eyes on the little town of Tucumcari as our final stop in New Mexico.
More Info
The Mother Road—Gallup, New Mexico
Starting in Chicago and ending in Los Angeles, Route 66 crossed New Mexico from Tucumcari to Gallup and changed the state forever.
More Info
Route 66 New Mexico Magazine
The New Mexico Route 66 Association has been publishing this well-loved magazine since 1993. Each issue features the people, the cultures, and communities along Route 66 in New Mexico. We have collected a treasure trove of issues and stories about the historied past and vibrant future of the Mother Road. Please consider becoming a member! Your membership will provide you with a free copy of our quarterly magazine. A limited number of past issues are also available for purchase.
More Info
VIDEOS
The Rise and Fall of Route 66
Watch
What is Route 66? A Very Brief History of “The Mother Road”
Watch
Route 66 RV Adventure Special
Watch
LOOKING FOR ADDITIONAL NEW MEXICO ROUTE 66 INFORMATION?
Our organization has the largest collection of New Mexico based Route 66 information curated in its collection of magazines and historic affiliations. There are articles, guides, news, and event details as well as important history. Please contact us if you have a specific question and we'll do our very best to get you the information that you need.
From the National Parks Five Part Essay Series on Route 66
Route 66: An Overview
Before 1926: The Origins of Route 66
Route 66: 1926-1945
Post War Years: 1945-1960
Demise and Resurgence of Interest in Route 66
The Allure of Historic Route 66 (2022)
Here’s a look at the history of Route 66 and its enduring fame from our friends at Scenic America.
Read More
Back in Time: Route 66—The Mother Road
An overview by Rickie Longfellow for the Federal Highway Administration
Read More
Route 66 and New Mexico: Past and Present
A brief history from the New Mexico Museum of Art
Read More
Hannett’s Joke: Route 66 (published 2000)
Read this and you'll appreciate the quirky politics of the time.
Download File
Vintage Travel Place Mats (date unknown)
See the USA in a Chevrolet was playing on the radio and along Route 66, you might see place mats with recommended stops: Mat #1 is from Chicago, IL to Springfield, MO; Mat #2 shows Springfield, MO and Shamrock, TX and Mat #3 shares stops from Shamrock, TX to Los Angeles, CA.
Download File (#1)
Download File (#2)
Download File (#3)
Greetings from New Mexico Along Old Route 66, Robert Waldmire Postcard (1993)
Download File
2009 Corridor Management Plan (2009)
The 2009 Corridor Management Plan is a comprehensive document outlining history, community and plans to carry forward the preservation of Route 66 in New Mexico.
Download File
The Historical and Architectural Resources of Route 66 Through New Mexico (1992)
Read the report written by David Kammer, PhD.
Download File
Historical Route 66 Maps
New Mexico has not one—but two—routes of the Mother Road. Bothe pre- and post-1937 alignment maps are available.
Download File (Pre-1937)
Download File (Post 1937)
And from “Historic and Architectural Resources of Route 66 Through New Mexico” by Dr. David Kammer for the New Mexico Historic Preservation Division, October, 1992. Redrawn from Albuquerque.
Download File
Route 66: Sharing Our History
Hispanic Legacies of Route 66 in New Mexico
Read More
Albuquerque Museum Photo Archives
Albuquerque Museum's rich archive of historic photographs document Albuquerque, its people, architecture, businesses, urban landscape, and depictions of daily life and important events
More Info
City of Albuquerque Historic Landmarks
Learn more about Albuquerque's historic landmarks.
More Info
Historic Route 66: Still Glowing in the Modern Era
Running through the heart of Albuquerque along Central Avenue, this historic highway leads travelers through some of the city’s most beloved neighborhoods and is still a jumping off point for transportation.
More Info
A Slice of Old Historic Route 66—Tucumcari, New Mexico (2018)
With Bernalillo in our rearview mirror, we were now officially eastbound on I-40. True to our desire to not drive more than 200 miles per segment and stay at least two days at each stop, we set eyes on the little town of Tucumcari as our final stop in New Mexico.
More Info
The Mother Road—Gallup, New Mexico
Starting in Chicago and ending in Los Angeles, Route 66 crossed New Mexico from Tucumcari to Gallup and changed the state forever.
More Info
Route 66 New Mexico Magazine
The New Mexico Route 66 Association has been publishing this well-loved magazine since 1993. Each issue features the people, the cultures, and communities along Route 66 in New Mexico. We have collected a treasure trove of issues and stories about the historied past and vibrant future of the Mother Road. Please consider becoming a member! Your membership will provide you with a free copy of our quarterly magazine. A limited number of past issues are also available for purchase.
More Info
VIDEOS
The Rise and Fall of Route 66
Watch
What is Route 66? A Very Brief History of “The Mother Road”
Watch
Route 66 RV Adventure Special
Watch
LOOKING FOR ADDITIONAL NEW MEXICO ROUTE 66 INFORMATION?
Our organization has the largest collection of New Mexico based Route 66 information curated in its collection of magazines and historic affiliations. There are articles, guides, news, and event details as well as important history. Please contact us if you have a specific question and we'll do our very best to get you the information that you need.
