Bookmark this page or copy and paste URL to Email message

Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona Records (PARTIALLY PROCESSED), 1987-2017

NAU.MS.66
NAU.PH.2017.51
Accession 2017.51 (UNPROCESSED)

Historical Note

In the 1980s, Angel Delgadillo, barber and proprietor of the Delgadillo Barber Shop and Pool Hall, began looking for ways to help revive Seligman, Arizona, after observing the economic damage done to the town caused by the recent I-40 bypass. On February 18, 1987, he arranged a meeting of representatives from Route 66 towns across Arizona to organize a group to make old Route 66 a “historic” highway with hopes of reviving tourism and increasing traffic. At this meeting the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona was proposed.

The Association formally came into being in November 1987. Soon after, the state of Arizona christened the former Route 66 alignment between Seligman to Kingman as “Historic Route 66”. Then, sections of Route 66 east of Seligman, and from Kingman to Topock at the California border was also named part of historic Route 66, preserving the longest remaining stretch of uninterrupted Route 66 in the country. In 1988, the Association began putting on an annual "Fun Run," a two-day event running from Seligman, to Golden Shores, Arizona. Starting with just a couple of dozen cars and participants that first year, the Fun Run today is one of the larger annual events held on Route 66.

Through the efforts of the Association, Route 66 has been designated as an Historic Road by the Arizona State Transportation Board (1987), an All-American Road (2009), and a National Scenic Byway. The Association is among the oldest in the contiguous Route 66 states promoting tourism and preservation of the old highway. In addition, many Route 66 associations in other states and in other countries can draw a direct lineage back to the Historic Route 66 Association in Arizona through either direct support and encouragement, or through inspiration. Visitors from all across the United States and around the world seek out pieces of Arizona’s Route 66 as part of a "pilgrimage" of traveling some or all of the old highway.

Scope and Content

The Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona Records largely reflect the organization's efforts between 1987-2017. It includes meeting minutes, correspondence, newsletters, pamphlets, posters, and ephemera from the annual Fun Run and other events put on by the Association, as well as the research files of one of the Association's founders, Dr. Vince Salmon. The records also contain materials relating to other Route 66-related organizations, as well as scrapbooks, photo albums and VHS tapes.

Arrangement

Restrictions

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is still being processed. It may contain sensitive materials that requires advance review by Special Collections and Archives staff. Please contact Special Collections and Archives at least three weeks in advance to request access.

Conditions Governing Use

It is the responsibility of the user to obtain permission to publish from the owner of the copyright (the institution, the creator of the record, the author or his/her transferees, heirs, legates, or literary executors). The user agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Arizona Board of Regents for Northern Arizona University, its officers, employees, and agents from and against all claims made by any person asserting that he or she is an owner of copyright.

Controlled Access Terms

Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona (UNPROCESSED). NAU.MS.66; NAU.PH.2017.51. Special Collections and Archives. Northern Arizona University. Cline Library. Flagstaff, Arizona.

Acquisition Information

This material was donated to Special Collections and Archives by the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona in October 2017.

Processing Information

Mowana Lomaomvaya inventoried the initial donation of records in January 2018.

The records are currently being processed by Special Collections and Archives (2019).

Accruals

Future accruals are anticipated.

Container List