Dave Clark, Windy City Road Warrior

On January 17, 2002, the Route 66 shield once again appeared in Chicago’s Grant Park on Jackson Drive, where it had not been seen in 25 years. This postmarked cover commemorates that event.

The official 66 signs were taken down in Grant Park, Chicago, Illinois, the Eastern Terminus of the famous “Mother Road” on January 17, 1977. For decades, these signs let travellers know that they had gone as far east as possible on 66. A Chicago Sun-Times photographer captured the moment when Department of Transportation workers took down these signs as route 66 was decertified, replaced by the interstates. These had been the last remaining signs along the route in Illinois.

The purpose of the “End of Route 66″ sign seen in this photo was simply to alert the traveler that they had reached the eastern terminus of this US highway. To travel further on the highway system, the driver must turn left or right for north or south US 41 at Lake Shore Drive. But as this photo was taken, “End of Route 66″ took on a whole new and sad meaning. Was this the beginning of the end for the “Mother Road,” not just as a commissioned highway, but as a cultural icon, as a part of the American Identity? At this moment in time, 66 was truncated to 5 of its original 8 states. In 1985, as Williams, Arizona was bypassed, 66 ceased to exist as an official US Highway.

But was this truly the “End of Route 66?” Travelers from around the world came searching for 66, looking to recapture the nostalgia of the open road from a different era. As hundreds of diners, gas stations, and motels closed due to lack of business, those remaining dug in and stayed the course, hoping for a better day.

State and National Associations were formed by people interested in preserving and prolonging the legacy of the old road. In 1996, thanks to these efforts, the Illinois Department of Transportation adopted the white-and-brown “Historic Route 66″ signs already displayed in other states and placed them along the old alignment throughout the state. But they decided to post the “End 66″ sign at Jackson and Michigan Avenue, and the “Begin 66″ sign at Adams and Michigan, even though Lake Shore and Jackson on the western edge of Grant Park had been the eastern terminus for at least 40 years (1937-1977).

So, since the route had run through Grant Park for over 40 years, and since the famous photo had been taken in the park 25 years before, I decided that maybe it was time to let 66 visit it’s old Grant Park home. So I set out on January 17th, 2002, the 25th anniversary of the removal of the signs, and put the signs back up.

“End of Route 66?” NO WAY! Route 66 lives on as long as Tom Teague (Searching for 66), Michael Wallis (Route 66: The Mother Road), and many others continue writing about it; as long as the Associations in the eight 66 States keep active; and as long as the National Historic Route 66 Federation and all of the businesses and people along the route continue to preserve and promote it. And as long as people like you and me continue to discover it, 66 will never end.

If you reach THIS end of 66, left, briefy showing it’s black and white shield to all who passed on January 17, 2002, there is still no true “end” in sight. Every ending is a beginning, and Jackson Boulevard through Grant Park is still a two-way street. So just turn around, and BEGIN AGAIN!!

The Commemorative Cover features a postage stamp of California (the OTHER end of 66) and an official USPS postmark of January 17, 2002. Therefore, once all of the limited edition are sold, no more can be made.

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