Historic Route 66

Nationwide demand for a better system of roads increased in the 1920’s as more and more people had automobiles. There were parts of a highway in place along the eventual route of Highway 66, with names like The Grand Canyon Route, National Old Trails Highway and the Will Rogers Highway. These were tied together to create the “Main Street of America”, so called because it passed through the heart of towns such as Gallup.

Route 66 changed rapidly throughout its history. Here is a brief timeline of who used the Mother Road and what it looked like in Gallup.

• 1927-1934 The newly opened route was an early truck highway that was quite rugged, known especially for western-style 'highway robberies'. The Road in Gallup was paved in 1934. The only mayor from Gallup to become state governor, A. T. Hannett, was one of the leaders in establishing Route 66 through New Mexico. He was also responsible for moving the footprint from Santa Fe to Albuquerque. Gallup's stretch of the "Old Trail Highway" became Route 66. The road was dubbed "The Mainstreet of America"
• 1934-1940 Deemed "The Road of Flight," Route 66 became the main thoroughfare for economic refugees from Oklahoma and surrounding states during the dustbowl. In Gallup, the Route split through downtown into two one-way streets. Coal Avenue, as it is known today, was originally a portion of Route 66. This is why downtown Gallup has a "Y" on its east and west ends along Coal Avenue.
• 1940-1945 The Mother Road came into frequent use by military convoys due to World War II, with POW camps and mock battles along the road. The Gallup stretch of Route 66 was widened in the late 30's/early '40s, recreating a two-way road along the railroad downtown Gallup to meet the US's growing cross-country travel demands.
• 1945-1956 Route 66 Shined! Neon signs were constructed throughout the entire route. Route 66 became the primary transit corridor from Chicago to Los Angeles.
• 1956-1976 The Interstate Defence Highway Act of 1956 launched the National Interstate System. These new, divided, limited-access highways gradually began to replace Route 66 and changed the economies of small towns throughout the west.
• 1976-1980 Interstate 40 was constructed across Gallup. This construction meant that historic events, such as the Gallup Inter-tribal Indian Ceremonial, and many business, were to move. Red Rock Park was constructed on the far east end of Gallup, eight miles from downtown, to accommodate the historic event and more.
• 1985 The Federal Government officially decommissioned Route 66 as a highway.