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Route 66 Thesis

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The narrative of the decline of the most famous paved highway in American history reads like a tragic love affair. “Fabled”, “notorious”, and “inspiring” are words that can easily be woven into the dialogue. Adam Payne and Douglas Hurt point out insightfully, “Route 66 is a symbol of American identity, a pilgrimage site for personal voyages of self-discovery” (283). It was established in 1926. Stretching nearly 2500 miles, Route 66 “captured America’s sense of freedom, adventure and opportunity” (Blitz, par. 1). Although Route 66 is no longer an important thoroughfare for cars travelling from Chicago to Los Angeles, it continues to be a road trip many people long to experience. As Payne and Hurt put it, “Route 66 is a destination in itself—the …show more content…

Art deco refers mainly to “style[s] of the 1920’s and 1930’s, characterized by precise and boldly delineated geometric shapes and strong colors” (“Art Deco”). Communities “encouraged quirky, eye[-]catching family businesses that often featured kitsch items for sale” (Hurt et al. 46). These attractions have dwindled to near extinction. While some remain intact, although no longer operating as originally established, many are being restored in hopes of attracting more tourists. Avante’s Cities Service Station in El Reno, Oklahoma is one example. Cities Service Stations were recognized for their art deco architecture. Built in 1933, Avante’s now operates as a muffler shop (“Route 66”). The Chandler Armory in Chandler, Oklahoma, with its art deco protruding columns, was built between 1935 and 1937. A new facility was built in 1971, but interest prevailed. In 1998, a group of volunteers came together to form the Old Armory Restorers (“Route 66”). In 2002, they received “a Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) grant through the Oklahoma Department of Transportation” (“Route 66”). The armory has now been repurposed with an interpretive center, a rehabilitated drill hall, and state-of-the-art technology to host a variety of venues (“Route …show more content…

Located in Chicago, it has “not [been] significantly altered since 1949,” with its original flooring and neon signs, as well as most of its interior dining area (“Route 66”). Big Chief Restaurant in Wildwood, Missouri “is distinctive for its Spanish Mission Revival styling,” missing only its original bell tower (“Route 66”). Rock Café in Stroud, Oklahoma opened its doors in 1939 as traffic increased after the Great Depression (“Route 66”). In 2008, the building needed rehabilitation after a devastating fire. With preservation funding, the café reopened for business in 2009 (“Route

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