Exploring Route 66 Through Archives

Route 66 is a vibrant tapestry of American history that weaves together countless stories from the 20th century. As a significant artery of travel and commerce, Route 66 has witnessed the lives, travels, and cultures of diverse communities. Today, resources like Research Route 66 are dedicated to helping researchers, historians, and enthusiasts locate valuable library, museum, and archival materials. Whether you are working on research projects, museum exhibitions, documentaries, historic preservation efforts, community waysides, or other initiatives, these resources can be instrumental in uncovering the facts and rich narratives of Route 66.

Understanding Archives

Archives are collections of first-hand informational materials created by people who lived during the time periods and events you wish to learn about. These primary sources offer direct insight into the experiences and activities of the past, and include materials such as postcards, photographs, oral histories, maps, advertisements, and films. They also include records from Route 66 businesses and government offices, as well as personal accounts of individuals who traveled, lived and worked along the highway. Archives cover a wide range of subjects such as tourism, transportation, business, the arts, urban and regional development, and the cultural and historical evolution of the route from its early origins to to the present day.

Locating Route 66 Archives

The majority of Route 66 archives are housed in cultural heritage institutions and government repositories throughout the United States. These include historical societies, college and university libraries, public libraries, museum archives, and state archives. Each institution preserves unique collections that capture different facets of Route 66’s history and culture.

In addition to physical repositories, many institutions offer searchable online digital collections. Notable resources include:

• Library of Congress, American Memory Project
• National Archives
• Illinois Digital Collections
• Missouri Digital Collections
• Oklahoma Digital Collections
• Texas Digital Collections
• New Mexico Digital Collections
• Arizona Digital Collections
• California Digital Collections

For those seeking more targeted assistance and archives that may not be available online, tools such as the Route 66 Directory of Archives, the Researching Route 66 bibliography, and the Ask a Librarian service are available to guide your search.

Tips for Researching Archives

Online resources have made archival materials more accessible than ever and serve as an excellent starting point for research. However, visiting libraries, archives, and museums in person remains invaluable for uncovering information that may not be available digitally.

Route 66 is intricately woven into local, state, and national history. Many important materials related to the road’s story might not be digitized, and some may not even be explicitly labeled or cross-referenced as “Route 66.”

Exploring the shelves and collections of these institutions can often lead to the discovery of new or long-lost information. Only in recent years have some materials been recognized as connected to the history of Route 66, making in-person research essential for uncovering these hidden resources.