Man, it feels good to say that after so much anticipation. This is what we’ve been dreaming about for such a long time. Of course, Route 66 officially turns 100 on November 1, 2026. But nobody is going to wait until just before Thanksgiving to head out on their epic road trip. We’ve got too many months to enjoy it all beforehand and festivities will be going throughout the year. So, I say again, Happy Centennial!
This is the official newsletter of the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona. I’m Roger Naylor, Arizona author and travel writer, and it’s my privilege to pen these quarterly newsletters that we hope will inform and entertain. Please remember, you can find all Centennial information and events on the Association website.
Tourists may spend their time on a corner in Winslow but the residents always seem much too busy to just stand around. They continue to work to improve their community. Winslow is certainly making the most of the Centennial with events popping up throughout 2026. They’ll kick things off with the grand opening of a new exhibit, 100 Years of Route 66 in Winslow. It will debut on Saturday January 10, 3 p.m., at the very cool Winslow Visitor Center. The striking exhibit was developed by the folks at Old Trails Museum, adjacent to the famous corner. The museum’s small space is already chockful of interesting artifacts, photos, and memorabilia so having the display at the larger visitor center makes it accessible to a wider audience. 100 Years of Route 66 in Winslow will focus on the people, businesses, and sites along this iconic stretch of Mother Road.
After touring the new exhibit, be sure to grab a 2026 historical calendar that features many of the same images documenting the changing community through the decades. The 2026 calendar is available at the visitor center, local shops, and Old Trails Museum. Both the printing of the exhibit and the calendar were funded by a grant from the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona.
This seems like a good time to remind everyone about the excellent book by Ann-Mary Lutzick, Past & Present: Winslow. From Arcadia Publishing, the book traces Winslow’s origin as a railroad town that grew into a small, vibrant city thanks to the steady stream of traffic on Route 66. In many ways, Winslow is a microcosm of the Route 66 arc, the growth, decline, and rebirth. This book captures that spirit and energy, and is beautifully illustrated with then and now photography by Jim Buckley. Past & Present: Winslow is on sale at Old Trails Museum, where Ann-Mary just happens to be the director, for $25. It can also be purchased through their website.
The other half of this Winslow power couple, Dan Lutzick, is equally busy. For more than three decades, Dan has kept busy managing several historic hotel restorations, beginning with La Posada. During his projects, he has poured even more creative energy into creating dynamic works of art using the salvaged material he deals with. You’ve no doubt seen some of these pieces at La Posada and Snowdrift Art Space. Now, through November, you can enjoy even more of his art work with a special exhibition at the Affeldt Mion Museum, on the grounds of La Posada Hotel.
Since everyone traveling the Mother Road in 2026 will be making a pilgrimage to Seligman and the little cathedral known as Angel & Vilma Delgadillo’s Original Route 66 Gift Shop, use the opportunity to pick up a copy of another amazing book. This one is penned by Nicole Sarno and is titled, Seligman Arizona: Birthplace of Historic Route 66.
The book is rich, detailed, and jam-packed with stories. Pages are drenched with photos and images—signs, menus, postcards, and matchbooks. It delves deep into the marrow of the little town that grew into such a powerhouse of Route 66 preservation. I’ve been savoring my copy for weeks now, poring over, and learning so much stuff I didn’t know. The lengthy chapter on Juan Delgadillo is especially terrific. What a character! Seligman Arizona: Birthplace of Historic Route 66 is available at Angel & Vilma’s Delgadillo’s Original Route 66 Gift Shop, and also on Amazon.
Lowell Observatory has unveiled a new addition to their lineup of otherworldly experiences with Cosmic Highways: A Centennial Tour. There aren’t many roads as connected to the cosmos as Route 66 in Arizona. This is where Pluto was discovered, astronauts trained, and the stars were mapped. The new tour explores that very rich history of astronomical discoveries. It starts with a talk, which reveals some fascinating and little-known stories. Afterwards, guests are given a private tour of the exhibit inside the Putnam Collection Center, a space typically closed to the public. They can view Percival Lowell’s beloved 1911 Stevens-Duryea, one of the first automobiles in Flagstaff, now known as “Big Red.” Additionally, there are other rare historical artifacts, including the Brashear Spectrograph that helped reveal the expanding universe and a guest book signed by Apollo astronauts. Space is limited for Cosmic Highways: A Centennial Tour. Tickets are available on a first come, first serve basis.
Presented by Theatrikos Theatre Company in Flagstaff, a new play debuts on February 8. Route 66 to the Grand Canyon is a family-friendly comedy written by acclaimed filmmaker and writer Peter Kershaw. It’s part play, part interactive experience celebrating Flagstaff, the Grand Canyon, and the exquisite charm of a Route 66 road trip. Catch a performance at the intimate Doris Harper-White Playhouse. Founded in 1972, Theatrikos Theatre Company has been a cornerstone of the cultural scene in Flag for more than 50 years. They also have a thriving youth program and offer classes and workshops. It’s nice to know that Route 66 is still very much a part of our pop culture.
The new exhibit at the Museum of Northern Arizona has been captivating visitors since it opened in November. Wagon Road to Mother Road is a multi-room display that traces the evolution of travel across Northern Arizona, while also exploring multiple layers of Route 66 history. And this is more than just some interesting photos. An archaeological team from the museum examined thousands of artifacts from old segments of the Mother Road to unlock how the changing times, the changing technology impacted travel. I visited the exhibit soon after it opened and it’s fascinating. Wagon Road to Mother Road will continue through Oct. 26. Enjoy this exhibit, and the entire museum with ticket purchase.
📷:Museum of Northern Arizona
The Oatman Bed Races are the sporting spectacle of the Arizona winter season. Five-person teams propel beds through Oatman streets at breakneck speeds, and crowds gather to witness the drama. The annual event takes place this year on Jan. 31. Festivities rock the old gold mining town/wild burro hangout through the day, with the race highlighting it all. Costumes and pajamas are strongly encouraged because how often do you have a chance to participate in a bed race? No need to transport your bed from home. One will be provided to you with your entry fee. And don’t worry, officials will clear Oatman’s beloved burros off the street before the race begins.
Sounds like a Sinatra song, doesn’t it? Heart of neon. It’s actually one of Route 66’s newer attractions and also its most romantic. And it makes a great Valentine’s Day photo op. Located near the Powerhouse, the Kingman Heart lights up the night along this stretch of Mother Road. The heart-shaped sign once stood outside of Cupid’s Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas. It was very carefully restored and tweaked by Legacy Signs & Iron and has been lighting the night skies on the Mother Road since 2024. Today it reminds everyone that Kingman is the Heart of Historic Route 66. If you’re looking to impress a special someone on Valentine’s Day, stop here for a selfie.
Along with the towering Welcome to Kingman retro sign that went up in 2020, the Route 66 Drive Thru Shield, and a few other nearby splashes of light and color, Kingman is beginning to rival Williams for the neon crown of Arizona. I’m happy to see it. The world needs more neon!
📷:terroirista via IG
Let’s just come out and say it: the Centennial edition of Route 66 Fun Run is once-in-a-lifetime! Start making your plans immediately. More vehicles will be entered for this very special event but slots will fill up fast. Register today and be part of road trip history. This year, Fun Run will take place from May 1-3. The colorful caravan pulls out of Seligman and travels the longest intact stretch of Route 66, with festivities at every stop. All are welcome to ride along but for those that want to register for the car show, you can do so on the Association website. Remember, this is a fundraising event with the proceeds going back into the Route 66 community. Sign up today!
So much preservation effort is directed toward saving the buildings, signs, and landmarks that we love on Route 66. Yet it’s just as important to preserve the memories, the stories, the people. That’s what makes the Google Arts & Culture Route 66 Storytelling Hub such a crucial tool for breathing life into the past and ensuring the vibrancy of the modern version of the Mother Road.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation, Google Arts & Culture, and more than 20 cultural organizations—including the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona—launched the project, which features 130 stories and more than 4,000 images. It’s a dynamic new way to understand the significance of the iconic highway and what it still means today wrapped in a multimedia digital experience. Suddenly, Route 66 is accessible, no matter where you live. Set out on your digital journey today.
Here’s one final book plug. My latest book, Arizona Route 66 Road Trip is now in stores across Arizona. This will make a helpful guide on your journey because it is packed with more than 110 restaurants, 90 activities and events, and 40 motels, hotels, and inns. It’s a great way to enjoy some delicious food and small-town hospitality while supporting mom-and-pop businesses. All your favorites are here, plus some you may not know about.
Arizona Route 66 Road Trip sells for $18.95. It is available in Route 66 stores, on Amazon, and through my website.
I’ll also be giving several Route 66 presentations around the state in the coming weeks. Here are a few scheduled dates if you’d like to attend.
Jan. 17 – Prescott, 1 p.m. at Phippen Museum
Feb. 2 – Maricopa, 5 p.m. at Maricopa Library and Cultural Center
Feb. 3 – Chandler, 12 p.m. at Chandler Museum
Feb. 4 – Oro Valley, 11 a.m. at Western National Parks Association Store
Feb. 7 – Scottsdale, 2 p.m. at Holland Center
Well, that’s it for now. Embrace this historic year and head out for many Route 66 Arizona adventures. Look for the spring newsletter to arrive in your inbox in April.
If you have items of interest you’d like to share in an upcoming newsletter, you can email them to me, Roger Naylor, at [email protected], or to Nikki Terlesky, Director of Operations at Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona at [email protected].
Thanks for being part of the Route 66 family. Happy motoring!