Crossing eight states and covering over 2,400 miles, Route 66 became official on November 11, 1926. On that day, state and federal highway spokesmen mapped out interstate highway routes connecting the entire nation. Route 66 would start out in Chicago and end up in Los Angeles, cutting across Tucumcari to Gallup and changing the state forever.

A nationwide demand for a better system of roads arose in the 1920’s, as more and more people obtained automobiles. There were parts of a highway in place along the eventual route of Highway 66, with names like The Grand Canyon Route, National Old Trails Highway, and the Will Rogers Highway. These were all tied together to create the "Main Street of America", so called because it passed through the heart of towns such as Gallup.

It took eleven years to fully pave the entire route, but from the beginning it mirrored the daily changes taking place in America. The Depression and Dust Bowl days brought desperate families from ruined farms to greener pastures. World War II brought huge convoys of military supplies and hitchhiking soldiers. Later everyone piled in their cars to head for the Grand Canyon of Disneyland. All along the way little tourist traps dished up everything from barbecue to plastic tomahawks. If the old road could talk, some fascinating stories could be added to the lore of the highway, because Route 66 took travelers into other people’s towns-into their neighborhood and main streets. These people needed meats, restrooms, fuel, tires, and places to spend the night. Gallup like other towns on Highway 66, was filled with auto courts, diners, curio stores, hot dog stands and small family-owned motels. Sadly, change eventually reached us in the form of Interstate 40 in the 1970’s. New life springs up near freeways interchanges, leaving "downtowns" to fend for themselves.

In recent years many people still fascinated by old Route 66 have begun working together to keep the proud old highway alive. Charles Kuralt made the statement, "Thanks to the Interstate Highway System (freeways) it is now possible to travel across the country from coast to coast without seeing anything." But travelers looking for the Highway 66 spirit still find their way to the heart of Gallup where businesses remain active.

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