Hartzler welcomes designation of Route 66 as historic trail

(From Fourth District Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler)

Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (MO-4) supported a bill the House passed Tuesday to designate Route 66 as a National Historic Trail.

“Every turn down Route 66 reveals a memory from the past, whether it is an old restaurant, gas station, or motel. Route 66 attracts visitors to the ‘Show Me State’ from all over the world,” said Hartzler. “The designation of this highway as a ‘National Historic Trail’ will allow us to preserve the historic and unique features alongside it. As part of the National Historic Trails system, Route 66 will attract visitors to our state and our district for many generations to come.”

Historic Route 66 runs 2,400 miles through seven states – including Missouri – from Chicago, Illinois to Santa Monica, California. In Missouri, the “Mother Road” winds its way from St. Louis in the east to Joplin at the western edge of the state, running through three counties – Pulaski, Laclede, and Webster – in Missouri’s Fourth Congressional District.

There are currently 19 National Historic Trails that follow original trails or routes of travel that are of national historical significance. Two of the trails, the Lewis & Clark National Trail and the Santa Fe National Trail, are part of the MO-4 landscape.

This bill has now been referred to the Senate for consideration.