The history of Route 66 is paved with paper!—postcards, photographs, maps, menus, travel accounts, and other primary source documentation.

Archives are repositories of diverse historical information that have an important role in the understanding, preservation and enjoyment of Route 66. They are valuable not only to scholars and students conducting research but also to tourists who wish to enrich their travel experiences. Property owners may consult archives to learn more about the history of their buildings or businesses, while local communities utilize them to promote their town’s heritage. Furthermore, government agencies rely on archival material to manage various aspects of infrastructure, such as highways.

Historians seeking to tell the story of Route 66 do more than simply travel the road itself. They visit local libraries, archives, museums, and universities to gather information. These institutions house a wealth of resources, including maps that document the highway’s alignments, photographs that capture long-gone motels and businesses, and oral histories that offer insights into the experiences of those who traveled or worked along the route.

For example, when historian Arthur Krim wrote his book, Route 66: Iconography of the American Highway (2005), his research extended beyond published works about the highway. He explored the collections of the National Archives, the Federal Highway Administration, and other organizations, searching for documents and images—such as those from Cynthia Troup—that would enrich and expand his narrative.

The history of Route 66 is paved with paper!—postcards, photographs, maps, menus, travel accounts, and other primary source documentation.