Route 66 Thriving Restored Forgotten

In 1926, Route 66 was completed connecting Chicago, Illinois to Los Angeles, California; the 2,448-mile road helped the movement of dust bowl farmers, military troops, and eventually tourists across eight states. The end of World War II brought the golden age of Route 66 with increased prosperity, and the popularity of the automobile families took to the road. Brilliant neon signs and roadside attractions invited travelers into gas stations, motels, and restaurants. Route 66's heyday was short-lived it would soon be replaced by the interstate. In 1985, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials decertified the road. Since that day, associations and organizations have rallied to preserve the historic route and its communities. Christopher Mullen set out to document the road in 2020, photographing beautiful art deco buildings, world-famous neon signs, strange roadside attractions, and forgotten towns. This book is a collection of 100 images from that project.