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Route 66 at 100: American Dream on Life Support in Arizona Desert Town

cultural-heritage · 2026-07-21

As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, Route 66 turns 100 years old. The famous highway, which inspired writers, musicians, and McDonald's, now exists only because it died. In Seligman, a small town in the Arizona desert, the question arises whether the American Dream still lives or is merely being kept alive. The road, which once spanned three time zones, is now a preserved relic of a bygone era.

Key facts

  • Route 66 turns 100 years old
  • The United States will be 250 years old
  • Seligman is a small town in the Arizona desert
  • Route 66 inspired writers, musicians, and McDonald's
  • The road exists only because it died
  • The American Dream is questioned in Seligman
  • Route 66 once spanned three time zones
  • The road is now a preserved relic

Entities

Institutions

  • McDonald's

Locations

  • Seligman
  • Arizona
  • United States

Sources