The People and Stories of Route 66

Route 66 tells many stories of the nation in the 20th century. These stories reflect the unique experiences and memories of the people who have lived, worked and traveled on the road and help us understand the history and significance of Route 66 to our nation. Stories are found in myriad places such as historic newspapers, government documents, home videos, travel journals, postcards and photographs. Oral histories help fill in details behind documented facts, while documentaries, books, and academic scholarship bring all this information together for our benefit and enjoyment. The following resources and links are a starting place to help connect you with the many stories of the road.

Photo/Public Domain

Researching Route 66: A Bibliographical Guide has been published to help you find works of nonfiction, fiction, articles, documentaries, archival collections and much, much more.

Enjoy the following links to learn more about the people and stories of historic Route 66.

• Route 66 History and Stories

• Route 66 History and Stories by State

• Hispanic Legacies of Route 66

• Route 66 and the Historic Negro Motorist Green Book

• Women on the Mother Road

• American Indians & Route 66 Travel Guide

• Route 66 and American Indians

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The following NPS-sponsored Route 66 oral histories are available by request*. Please contact us for more information, or find them at Research Route 66.

Arizona

• Interview with Lawrence and Stella Sanchez at Rod’s Steak House in Williams, Arizona – August 2, 2007

• Interview with Ena Middleton at the Best Western Chieftain Inn in Chambers, Arizona – August 3, 2007

• Interview with Bob Waldmire in Portal, Arizona – September 7, 2007

California

• Interview with Dennis Casebier in Goffs, California – March 18, 2006

• Interview with Dan Harlow – April 27, 2007 Interview with Elmer Long at the Bottle Tree Ranch in Oro Grande, California – July, 2008

Illinois

• Interview with Buz Waldmire in Springfield, Illinois – November, 2010

Missouri

• Interview with Skip Curtis in Missouri – October, 2005

• Interview with Anne Walker in East St. Louis, Missouri – May 9, 2006

• Interview with Kirk Pearce of Missouri Route 66 – January 6, 2009

New Mexico

• Interview with Michael Wallis in New Mexico – January, 2006

• Interview with Sally Noe in Gallup, New Mexico – March, 2006

• Interview with Armand Ortega at the El Rancho Hotel in Gallup, New Mexico – June 28, 2007

• Interview with Bob Audette in New Mexico – September, 2007

• Interview with The Rapaports Milan in Bluewater, New Mexico – January, 2009

• Interview with Ralph Moya in Newkirk, New Mexico – December 9, 2011

• Interview with Richard Delgado in Santa Rosa, New Mexico – December 9, 2011

Oklahoma

• Interview with Laurel Kane of Afton in Oklahoma – May, 2011

Texas

• Interview with Delbert Trew in Shamrock, Texas – January 4, 2006

• Interview with Jake and Bea Fortenberry and Linda Drake in Adrian, Texas – September 29, 2007

• Interview with Linda Drake in Vega, Texas – September 29, 2007

Other

• Interview with Paul Taylor of the Route 66 Magazine – March 7, 2006

• Interview with Bob Moore – March 16, 2006

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