How did Route 66 become the Mother Road? Steinbeck helped, of course, and Kerouac. So did a 1928 transcontinental footrace called the Bunion Derby, using Route 66 for much of the way. Route 66 became an art form, a gallery stretched along an endless array of motor courts and diners and drive-ins and neon signs that sprouted in perfect tune and timing to the emergence of America’s love of the automobile.

Route 66 turns 100 in a yearlong celebration all along the road. A big crowd gathered in Columbia at the State Historical Society of Missouri to hear Kathleen Seale present a fascinating peek at Missouri’s 317-mile portion of the Mother Road, its history and culture, the origin of its name in Springfield, and the many celebrations planned for Mother Road’s birthday.

In a few weeks I’m scheduled to speak in Pacific and Saint Clair about my experiences on Route 66, starting as a kid on my bicycle dodging traffic along the stretch thru Rolla (don’t tell mom).

Meantime check out the museum display on Route 66 at the SHSMO gallery in downtown Columbia. Postcard from the John Bradbury collection.