It seemed that Route 66 was destined to become relegated to history as a footnote in the 20th Century transportation scene. Then a funny thing happened on the way to the highway graveyard. America began to re-discover this lost treasure.

Much of the Route is still drivable and more and more Americans and foreigners alike take to its pavement every year. Many of the older travel-related businesses that managed to hang on by a thread are beginning to notice an increase in business. And the increased popularity of the highway continues.

In September of 2003, a Route 66 festival in Springfield, Illinois, drew nearly 50,000 people. Numerous books and videos have been produced and one can count over 150 web sites dedicated to Route 66 on a common Internet search engine.

There's just one problem, one fly in the ointment. Route 66 does not appear on American road maps and atlases because it is no longer an "official" highway. Putting the Route back on the map and the familiar black and white "federal" shields back on the road would go a long way toward providing travelers with a continuous marking plan. Having the Route well signed and on the map again would also make it easier for travelers to incorporate side trips on Route 66 into their travel and vacation plans.

A movement is now afoot that might just accomplish that. The first web site in history has been launched dedicated to the re-instatement of U.S. Highway 66. The text was written by site owner Fred M. Cain of Topeka, Indiana, with web design by Carolyn Hasenfratz of Florissant, Missouri. The goal of the site is to put US Highway 66 back on America's maps and road atlases and includes a detailed plan and contact information for interested parties.

The initial response has been highly positive. Several lobbies or organizations have endorsed the proposal including the highly esteemed American Highway Users Alliance in Washington, D.C.

Even with the revival of interest in recent years, a few roadside businesses are still struggling. One famous Motel known as the Coral Court was not so fortunate. After standing on Route 66 for nearly 50 years in the suburban St. Louis area, it was bulldozed in 1995. Currently, another classic motel known as The Boots has a tentative future in Carthage, Missouri. The Friends of the Mother Road and the Route 66 Association of Missouri have been involved in an effort to make sure the Boots doesn't go the way of the Coral Court.

While the popular revival of Route 66 has been a Godsend for many older businesses, much more will be needed to attract investment in these older establishments.

These goals could well be realized if Route 66 gets put back on the Nation's road atlases. That is precisely the mission of the new site. Perhaps future generations of Americans will continue to "get their kicks on Route 66"!

For further information go to:

http://www.bringbackroute66.com

or e-mail to info@bringbackroute66.com

Mr. Cain hired Metropark Communications of St. Louis, Missouri, to design and host the site. The firm employs a St. Louis area Route 66 enthusiast, Carolyn Hasenfratz, who designed the site and also supplied the photographs. Her photography has previously appeared in several St. Louis area art shows and in road-related publications and web sites.