THE HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHY OF ROUTE 66

“The Mother Road”

The study of Route 66 is rich in history, culture and

geography. The “Mother Road” or “Will Rogers Highway” was established November 11, 1926. It covers 2,448 miles Grade Level: from beginning in Chicago, Illinois, and runs through Primary Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, , , Arizona, and ending in Santa Monica, California. The highway was

used for many people who migrated from the mid-west to Location: the west coast Route 66 was the beginning of the national The Mother Road “Interstate Highway system” that were needed for people Exhibit who wanted to travel, who had cars and wanted to drive

from one state to the next. The Geography of Route 66 Standards: covers many terrains, topographies, and landscapes. There is History-Social Studies much to learn by studying the path of Route 66.

4.1a,e. 4.3b, 4.4 i., 4.5 Language Arts RI 4.3 Prior to your visit Introduce students to the Map of Route 66: Concepts:

Travel  Have students identify and name the states along States Geography the route.

Supplies: Map of USA

Vocabulary: Migration Interstate Highway system

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 Review the documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBhU3hGSoG0 A 41 minute documentary covering interesting aspects of the historic, cultural and economic aspect of Route 66.

During your visit: Enter the “Mother Road” exhibit at the archway.

 Have students identify the states and capitals where the iconic stops along Route 66 are located.  Have students take photos are various sites along the route  Enjoy the fun facts, history and interactive activities along the way.  Next stop you are entering Missouri, see the Giant rocking chair.  Next stop is Galena, Kansas, where you will see the iconic Kan-O-Tex Gas Station that provided service for travelers along Route 66. Fun Fact: this gas station inspired the character of “Tow Mater” in the Disney movie Cars.  Everything is bigger in Texas and Route 66 is no exception! Here we will stop at the world famous Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo and the CONOCO tower gas station in Shamrock.  The next stops is Albuquerque, New Mexico, home of the Saint Joseph’s Church in Pueblo o Laguna. The entire pueblo covers four large counties and has been listed in the National Register of Historic Places since 1973.  The state of Arizona will highlight teepees of Holbrook’s Wigwam Motel and historic living host town of Oatman.  Your next and last stop along the route is the Santa Monica Pier. The iconic Pier is complete with palm trees, sand, beach music and entertainment.

After your visit:  Have students chart the longitude and latitude of their favorite spot along Route 66.

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 Have students identify the rivers, and land and geography of the Route 66 pathway.

 Travelers along Route 66 had to become good at following maps and directions. Have students engage in “Giving Directions” writing activity.

o Students will have fun engaging in activities that develop their ability to write sequential step-by-step directions. This lesson helps young learners with being detailed and using transition words in their writing. o Have students work together in groups, writing step-by-step directions of how to get to the playground, cafeteria or Principal’s office. Provide students with an example such as; First, turn left at the classroom door. Next, follow the sidewalk past the next building.

 Engage in “Map my Ancestors” Activity. o Materials: World map, straight pins in different colors & cork board.  Have students research their families about the locations of their ancestors.  Have student write up who their ancestor was and when they came to California and from where.  Have students place their ancestors on a map with the push pins.

History Scavenger Hunt

 Have students research the time period of 1930’s to the 1960’s and write about a cultural aspect of that time period, along path of Route 66. o What happened? o Who was involved? o When did it happen?

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Summary Writing

Route 66 was the main highway used during the 1920’s until the 1960’s for people to come to California from the Mid-West and the Eastern portion of the United States. During the 1930’s millions of families left the mid-west and traveled west along the Route 66, due to the “Dust Bowl” conditions of draught that caused their farms to fail. During the 1950’s millions of families migrated west along the Route 66 to find jobs after World War II had ended. The Aero - space Industry and many others brought workers to California. Along Route 66 many new types of business evolved to meet the needs of the traveling people, such as drive-in restaurants, roadside motels, souvenir shops such as rock & candy stores.

Who migrated west and took the famous Route 66?

What types of business began to develop as a result of people traveling along Route 66?

Why did so many people migrate and move California along Route 66?

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