A new book on the history of Route 66, called “Route 66: The First 100 Years,” was released in May 2025. (Courtesy of Jim Ross)
With its 100th birthday on the horizon, Route 66 will soon be in the spotlight again.
Now, a new book chronicling the history of the famous road that runs from Chicago to the Los Angeles area adds to the notoriety surrounding the highway’s centennial.
“Route 66: The First 100 Years,” by Jim Ross and Shellee Graham, was published in May.
Using words and more than 350 new and historic photos, the book tells the tale of Route 66 “through the legendary highway’s life, demise and renaissance,” a news release states.
It covers Route 66 — which stretches more than 2,000 miles — “from its birth in 1926 through its centennial, and the events, people and places that created the legacy ensuring America’s Mother Road a place in the hearts and minds of the nation,” the release states.
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The roadway existed before the rise of the interstate highway and was popularized by the 1940s R&B hit that included the line “Get your kicks on Route 66” and a 1960s TV series.
In Southern California, it runs through the Inland Empire and San Gabriel Valley before ending in Santa Monica.
Locally, a festival celebrating car culture in San Bernardino known as the Route 66 Rendezvous began in 1990 and continued for many years. It later gave way to the Rendezvous Back to Route 66 car show. Another event, the Route 66 Cruisin’ Reunion continues in Ontario.
For information on the book, click here.
