Route 66 Research Page

These sites are gathered for further research in aid of verisilimilitude for my Rick Walker series of 1950s noir detective novels, and are available to my readers who may envision a trip along Route 66 'someday'. You can take a virtual trip among the links below, or better yet, get off yer butt and jump in the old Chevy and mosey out on a real road trip.

Most of the travel on Route 66 was East-to-West, especially during the migrations of The Great Depression – the 'Dust Bowl' Era – and of World War II and the post-war boom. The route thus officially begins on Adams Street in Chicago, Ilinois and wends its way along 2,448 miles and thru eight states to terminate at the bluffs in Santa Monica, California overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

The highway was established in 1926 and was eventually replaced by the Interstate Highway System. Official deactivation of Route 66 (27 June 1985) stirred up grass roots enthusiasm, and many state and local associations were formed, fancy signs installed, and now there are dozens of celebrations – outdoor fairs, antique car meets & parades, conventions – along Route 66 every year.

eight shields Route 66 tin sign {top)

round Route 66 tin sign (bottom left}

Historic Route 66 tin sign (bottom right}

(AllPosters.com shut down their
affiliates program in June 2015)

"Desert Riff"
Book 2 of the Rick Walker detective novel series
Along Route 66, circa 1954: A jazz-loving short order cook, a young AWOL soldier, the beautiful owner of a honky tonk saloon, and a crazy old desert rat propel Rick into danger from a gang of murdering thieves.
read an excerpt • view the cover
Rick Walker novel series page

Santa Monica, California [Pacific Ocean]
Hollywood & Los Angeles via Sunset Blvd. & Figueroa Street
Pasadena CA via Colorado Blvd.
Sierra Madre, California
Duarte, California
Azusa, California
Glendora, California
Donut Man on Route 66 in Glendora, California
Route 66 Territory Gift Shop in La Verne, California
Griswold’s Smorgasbord in Claremont, California [est. 1961]

Upland, California
Rancho Cucamonga, California
Fontana, California
Rialto, California

Devore, California
Cajon Pass / Summit Inn
Hesperia, California
Victorville, California
Oro Grande, California
Helendale, California
Hodge, California
Lenwood, California

Joseph City, Arizona
Holbrook, Arizona
Navajo, Arizona
Chambers, Arizona
Chieftain Inn on Route 66 in Chambers, Arizona
Sanders, Arizona
Houck, Arizona
Lupton, Arizona