 |
| Map of Highway 66 |
From history, Highway 66(Route 66) earned the name "Main Street of America". Throughout the 1930s, immigrants drove on Highway 66 to travel west. This highway extended from Illinois to California. During the Dust Bowl in the 1930s, many immigrants fled to California on Highway 66. As a result of the great migration, businesses on this highway made a lot of profit since it became more popular everyday. In 1946, Bobby Troup made a song based on this highway and called it "Route 66". Route 66/Highway 66 was the only way to reach the west and the only hope farm families had left. Highway 66 is also displayed as the "Mother Road" as Steinbeck describes in The Grapes of Wrath. After World War II, people also began to move to California taking Route 66.
 |
| Family Migrating to California |
During the migration to the West as a result of the Dust Bowl, many cars were not designed to travel great distances and to carry heavy materials. Some families had to stop along the road because their car broke down and hoped that someone also taking the Highway 66 would help them. At the end of Chapter 12, a family with a broken car was fortunately helped by another family with a Sedan. Some people got lucky and received help from others but some got left behind.
The small service stations made a lot of profit as Route 66 became crowded with migrating families. Everyone needed gas, food, water, supplies and these places were great for all basic necessities.
Many cars had to stop frequently for gas since their cars were not the best and most efficient. Thus, gas stations also made a lot of profit as their town was booming with migrating families.
Sources: Route 66
No comments:
Post a Comment