Significance
U.S. Route 66 has come to stand for the collective, American tourist experience and holds a special place in American popular culture. There is a certain nostalgic appeal to Route 66 that is associated with the thrill of the open road which has contributed to its popularity. Looking at the historic roadway through Illinois from a different perspective it reveals a unique history which tells the story of movement across the prairie and road building across the same terrain. Study of the highway in Illinois also reveals the evolution of the interstate highway system and the growing popularity of automobiles.
Aside from the six sections of the route in Illinois that have been listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places the entire stretch of 66 through Illinois has been declared a National Scenic Byway. The 436-mile (702 km) stretch of road was declared a scenic byway on September 22, 2005 by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Read more about this topic: U.S. Route 66 In Illinois
Famous quotes containing the word significance:
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—Alasdair Chalmers MacIntyre (b. 1929)
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—Calvin Coolidge (1872–1933)
“I am not afraid that I shall exaggerate the value and significance of life, but that I shall not be up to the occasion which it is.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)