A few small towns along U.S. Route 66 crumbled when it was decommissioned in the 1980s, but the road's 100th anniversary this year has rebirthed tourism along the historic route.
Real-life Excalibur?
Man on a hike uncovers gold sword relic hidden under tree Ancient artifacts found beneath Cape Canaveral Space Force Station as one mystery still stumps researchersThree hospitalized in Napa County as California's fatal wild mushroom outbreak continues to spreadRoute 66 centennial highlights cosmic sites across Northern ArizonaTsunami of sewage from Mexico barrels toward US coastline, officials warn Wreck of deadliest US naval loss of World War I found after more than a century: 'Lost with all hands'Frontier jet strikes, kills person on Denver airport runway during takeoff after security breachRoute 66 Centennial spurs tourism in historic small townsFrontier Airlines plane strikes person on Denver International Airport runwayShoulder-to-shoulder crowds choke narrow walkways along Italy’s Amalfi CoastOn the historic stretch of U.S. Route 66 through Amarillo, travelers are searching for classic diners, neon signs, and eclectic hotels.
As U.S. Route 66 turns 100 years old, travelers are searching for the brightest motels, most unique attractions and tastiest diners to celebrate its centennial.
" trucking industry increased like 700% between 1939 and 1964. In 1964, 80% of people vacationed by automobile," Route 66 author, Jim Hinckley, told Fox News. Historic Route 66 runs through dozens of towns — some have grown into larger cities, while others are now the bones of what once was.
"Think 1939, you’ve got a million cars coming through your town in a year. And after the war, that increases, and all of a sudden it’s like someone turned off the tap," Hinckley said.town of Adrian, which is coined as the"geographical midpoint" of Route 66, according to Gary Daggett, president of the Old Route 66 Association of Texas.
Daggett is also the gift shop manager at Midpoint Café in Adrian, which is hard to miss as it is marked by a sign that soars to the skies. The owner, Brenda Hammit Bradley, bought the café in 2018 and is still known for her endless pie flavors, like green Chile apple pie and Elvis, which is chocolate, peanut butter and banana.
"Don’t get me wrong, it’s not that it’s not hard, because it’s a job, but it’s just fun, I get to meet awesome people," Bradley told Fox News, adding that more than 70% of her customers come from overseas. Just 15 minutes east, is Vega, Texas – a small country town with sprinkles of Route 66 memorabilia. One block off the historic route is Dot's Mini Museum.
"Our town was bypassed by I-40, but you know, there are a lot of people who travel, who love to go into the town, meet the people, see the places," said Keila Bain, Dot's granddaughter. "The thing that's mostly missing about Dot's mini museum is Dot herself, because she was a lot of life and a lot of fun," Bain said, adding that her grandmother inspired one of the characters in Cars, which allowed her to attend some movie events.
Although Dot is not around anymore, a guest book inside the small museum is filled with names from dozens of countries. These small books are in"From its inception, what it's about is the people. It has always been about the people," Hinckley said.
"That's what gives it that infectious magic and enthusiasm. ", and agree to receive content and promotional communications from Fox News. You understand that you can opt-out at any time.
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