Route 66 centennial spurs tourism in historic small towns
As U.S. Route 66 turns 100 years old, travelers are searching for the brightest motels, most unique attractions and tastiest diners to celebrate its centennial. The things Route 66 travelers seek today are the same ones that drew people out during the road’s heyday. "[The] trucking industry increased like 700% between 1939 and 1964. In 1964, 80% of people vacationed by automobile," Route 66 author, Jim Hinckley, told Fox News. Historic Route 66 runs through dozens of towns — some have grown into larger cities, while others are now the bones of what once was. ROUTE 66: AN AMERICAN CELEBRATION, ALONG WITH AMERICA'S 250TH ANNIVERSARY "Think 1939, you’ve got a million cars coming through your town in a year. And after the war, that increases, and all of a sudden it’s like someone turned off the tap," Hinckley said. That vision becomes clear as travelers pass rundown businesses in dozens of small towns across the eight states. During that stretch is the Texas town...