Audio recording

By 1950, the Beacon Court Motel was constructed, showcasing the rise of roadside accommodations along the route. However, change was on the horizon, as Oklahoma opened the Turner Turnpike in 1953, bypassing a significant stretch of Route 66 and signaling the beginning of its decline. In 1957, President Eisenhower’s National Interstate Highway System, inspired by the German Autobahn, further accelerated the replacement of Route 66 with modern freeways. Despite these changes, Route 66 remained prominent in American culture, with the television series *Route 66* debuting in 1960 and captivating audiences. In 1962, Missouri attempted to preserve the highway’s legacy by proposing to rename its replacement interstates as “I-66,” though the request was ultimately denied.