Moments in time 1
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In 1926, Route 66 was officially commissioned on November 11, establishing a 2,448-mile connection between Chicago and Los Angeles as one of the nation’s key east-west highways, though only 800 miles were paved at the time.
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By 1927, the final and most challenging section in Missouri, known as the Devil’s Elbow, was completed, overcoming rugged terrain to link Rolla and Lebanon. In 1928, the ‘Bunion Derby,’ a transcontinental footrace from Los Angeles to New York City, showcased Route 66 as runners traversed much of its unpaved stretches; Cherokee Nation member Andy Payne emerged victorious, using his $25,000 prize to pay off his family farm. Then, in 1929, eight states united to form the Route 66 Highway Association, adopting the slogan ‘Main Street of America’ to promote the road’s development and cultural importance.