Roads, more than the rail lines or the airways, are at the heart of travel. I am going to devote a few posts to historic roads, what we can learn from them and why we should save them.
This is the thrid post in an eight-part series (originally published December 23, 2009).
Mention “Route 66” within earshot of any veteran of the open road, and you’ll probably get a broad smile as they reflect on their connections—real or fancied—to probably the most celebrated of U.S. highways.
They may remember traveling on Route 66, or they may just share their plans to do so before they die. Most of us have a link to this historic road. Little wonder. Can you name another American highway immortalized in song, story and TV series?
Known variously as the Will Rogers Highway, the Main Street of America and the Mother Road, U.S. Route 66 was established in 1926. Originally the highway meandered 2,448 miles from Chicago to Los Angeles.
Between these two cities, it passed through portions of Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California. A major route of westbound migrants during the Dust Bowl of the 1930s, the highway earned much of its history and reputation from this pilgrimage.
In time, the route fell out of the U.S. highway system. Rendered irrelevant by the Interstate network, Route 66 was officially removed from the system in 1985. But by this time, it had a life of its own.
Today, portions of the road in Illinois, Missouri, New Mexico and Arizona are parts of a National Scenic Byway known as Historic Route 66. If you have any doubt that the old road is still alive and well, do an Internet search on “Route 66.”
Although Route 66 never traversed any part of Michigan, another well known—and perhaps soon-to-be famous—U.S. route bisects the middle of the Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. According to Lansing resident Craig Parrish, back in its day U.S. 27 was known as the “other Route 66,” the north-south version.
Old maps show U.S. 27 as a ribbon of asphalt running from Cheboygan in the north to Miami in the south. U.S. 27 no longer exists in Michigan. I-69, I-75 and U.S. 127 have ganged up on the old road and replaced every single mile of it. I guess that’s why we call it “Old 27.”
Fear not, though. Craig Parrish points out that a few years ago Route 66 was a dead link. Once a bustling corridor of commerce and activity, it and the countless settlements it had nourished were in rapid decline.
But once the old road won designation as a National Historic Road, things began to turn around. The designation created eligibility for grant funds. Today, many areas along Route 66 are enjoying a second life fueled by their re-discovery by a whole new generation of travelers.
Craig Parrish, an admitted devotee of back roads, has the same dream for U.S. 27. He has begun the ponderous task of winning historic designation for the “other Route 66.” In 2007, Parrish launched the Old U.S. 27 Tour.
It’s a motor tour of classic cars from Coldwater to Cheboygan and traces the route of the original U.S. 27. This year’s event ran from August 18-23, 2009. Craig also organized the first-ever Old U.S. 27 Festival held in Mount Pleasant in early June.
Previous: How history has made some roads special
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Article Comments
Carol says:
A must see on the route is the area south of Houghton Lake down to 61. It is sanctuary for bald eagles and numerous other birds.
February 1st, 2010 at 2:08 pm ::
Daniel Lane says:
Reading this reminded me of the movie “Cars” my 2 1/2 son and I watch all the time about Route 66. I love that movie and the morals behind it. Also, you brought me memories of traveling on Old 27 many times while visiting Mackinaw. Thanks for the wonderful memory jogging!
February 2nd, 2010 at 9:19 am ::
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