100 Years of Route 66

Missouri played an important role in the development of Route 66 as the birthplace of the famous highway. Springfield, Mo. is where Route 66’s name became official via a telegram on April 30, 1926. Cyrus Avery, the Oklahoma highway commissioner and John T. Woodruff, a Springfield attorney, were elated seeing their efforts succeed for the creation of a new federal highway stretching 2,448 miles from Chicago to Santa Monica, California. Throughout 2026, the State Historical Society of Missouri joins organizations along "America's Main Street" to commemorate the 100th anniversary. Public events, stories, and historic images will be updated here, so you can explore the places in Missouri that have inspired the adventure, fun, and freedom of the open road. 

We have a new Route 66 traveling exhibit for any groups who might like to host it on location. Learn more here.

If you'd like to see where the traveling exhibitions will be located throughout 2026, check out our Upcoming Exhibitions to see where Missouri's Main Street: 100 Years of Route 66 is headed next!

Interactive map of Route 66

Route 66 Interactive Map screenshot

1928 Bunion Derby

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Inside Scoop

Asphalt to Archives: Telling the Missouri Route 66 Story
Free Webinar Series Asphalt to Archives: Telling the Missouri Story

Join us as we tell the stories of people and places in Missouri that helped make Route 66 into a national icon. On the second Thursday of every month at 11am the State Historical Society of Missouri will be talking Route 66 in Missouri. Host Kathleen Seale, coordinator of the SHSMO Rolla and

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Rotoscope
Made in Missouri: Celebrating a Century of Local Filmmaking

Discover Missouri's cinematic past with rare archival films, including footage along Route 66 from SHSMO's Rolla Research Center, which holds the papers of Rowe Carney Jr., one of the inventors of the rotoscope, a single projection system that was a precursor to the large format Imax films.

Through the Windshield Missouri's Route 66 Exhibition
New Route 66 Exhibition Opens at State Historical Society of Missouri in Columbia

A new exhibition, Through the Windshield: Missouri's Route 66, opened today with a reception at the State Historical Society of Missouri's headquarters in Columbia. The exhibition takes you on a drive through the counties of Route 66 in Missouri. See the landmarks and meet the people

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Route 66 Centennial Logo
Centennial Speaker Series: Route 66 at 100 - An American Story

We invite you to experience the rich history and enduring legacy of Route 66 by registering for this important online series. Notable authors, historians, and passionate advocates will come together to share their unique stories

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Memories from the Mother Road

Chimneys of the Massey Iron Works
Missouri Trail of Tears sites along Route 66

Part of the series, "100 Years on Route 66 in 52 Weeks," published by the Missouri Press Association and distributed for reprint by its membership newspapers.  Reprinted here with permission by MPA.

By Cheryl Eichar Jett

Big Chief Roadhouse, Pond, Mo. 1932
Big Chief Roadhouse only tangible link to Pierce’s vision

Part of the series, "100 Years on Route 66 in 52 Weeks," published by the Missouri Press Association and distributed for reprint by its membership newspapers.  Reprinted here with permission by MPA.

Henry Shaw Gardenway dedication 1935
Along Route 66: Henry Shaw Gardenway and Shaw Arboretum

Part of the series, "100 Years on Route 66 in 52 Weeks," published by the Missouri Press Association and distributed for reprint by its membership newspapers.  Reprinted here with permission by MPA.

By Cheryl Eichar Jett

road guide 1926
The signs that got us to Route 66

Part of the series, "100 Years on Route 66 in 52 Weeks," published by the Missouri Press Association and distributed for reprint by its membership newspapers.  Reprinted here with permission by MPA.

By Kip Welborn

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