On February 18, 1987, a group of 15 passionate individuals met at the Copper Cart restaurant in Seligman, Arizona, and formed the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona. Led by Angel Delgadillo, a barber who grew up on Route 66, this group of passionate people wouldn’t allow the bypassing of the Highway to bypass the heart and soul of America.
Route 66 may have been created simply as the first cross-continental highway, but today it remains a lasting part of American history with world-wide importance. Route 66 might have been just a page in history books if it weren’t for the Association which led the rebirth of Route 66 and put Route 66 back on the map, not just in Arizona, but across all eight states.
Working tirelessly, this non-profit association has never lost sight of its mission to preserve, protect, and promote the Route. Over the years, the Association’s efforts have resulted in Arizona’s segment of Route 66 being designated as an Arizona Historic Road, a National Scenic Byway, and attaining All-American Road status, the highest National designation possible. In addition, the Association continues to assist all of Arizona’s Route 66 communities with preservation and marketing projects.
The Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona, a non-profit organization, is dedicated to the preservation, protection, and promotion of both the surface, and the memories along Arizona’s portion of Route 66.