Historic & Old Buildings on Route 66

Historic & Old Buildings on Route 66 | Roadside Architecture & Preservation
The buildings that line Route 66 tell the story of American commercial and architectural history better than any textbook. From the Streamline Moderne service stations of the 1930s to the mid-century motels built to attract postwar road travelers, the structures along the Mother Road represent decades of evolving American design and ambition. Some have been lovingly restored. Others stand as weathered ruins, their faded signs and collapsing roofs offering a bittersweet glimpse of the road’s golden age. This category explores the most compelling historic and old buildings along Route 66 — the architectural landmarks that preservation groups fight to save and the abandoned relics that still draw photographers and history lovers from around the world. If you’re fascinated by American architectural history and roadside preservation, you’ll find plenty to explore here.