ERICK — Beckham County will be part of a multi-state celebration of the historic Mother Road this week. Drive Home VII Route 66 Caravan will travel through western Oklahoma on Thursday, January 8, with a scheduled photo stop at the Sandhills Curiosity Shop in Erick. The caravan journey comes as communities along the route begin recognizing the 100th anniversary of Route 66, which was commissioned in 1926.
The caravan, made up of Route 66 enthusiasts traveling the original highway, highlights the continued cultural and tourism significance of Route 66 and Beckham County’s lasting place along one of America’s most historic roadways.
Long before interstate highways sped travelers past small towns, U.S. Highway 66 carried America straight through the heart of Beckham County. Known as the “Main Street of America,” Route 66 brought travelers, opportunity, and a lasting sense of connection to communities like Sayre, Elk City, and Erick. This is a legacy that continues to echo nearly a century later across western Oklahoma.
Commissioned in 1926, Route 66 stretched from Chicago to Los Angeles, cutting directly across western Oklahoma. For Beckham County towns, the highway was more than a transportation route; it was a lifeline. Motorists depended on local cafés, service stations, garages, and motels, while towns thrived on the steady rhythm of passing traffic.
In Sayre, Route 66 runs downtown, placing local businesses at the center of daily travel. Cafés filled with strangers’ swapping stories, and neon signs lit the night for weary drivers searching for food or lodging. Elk City grew
See ECHO page x into a major Route 66 stop, with motels and diners lining the roadway and shaping the town’s reputation as a welcoming place on the plains.
Farther west, Erick emerged as one of the most iconic Route 66 towns in the nation. Known for its preserved downtown and vibrant roadside culture, Erick became synonymous with the character and creativity of the Mother Road. Long after Route 66 was bypassed, the town’s identity remained closely tied to the highway, drawing visitors from around the world.
During the Dust Bowl of the 1930s, Route 66 took on an even deeper meaning. Thousands of Oklahomans traveled west in search of work and survival, many passing directly through Beckham County. The road became a symbol of both hardship and hope, carrying families toward uncertain futures while leaving lasting impressions on the communities they passed through.
Following World War II, Route 66 entered its golden age. Families piled into station wagons, embarking on vacations that turned roadside stops into lasting memories. Mom-andpop businesses flourished, children collected postcards, and the road became part of America’s shared cultural experience.
That era eventually faded with the construction of Interstate 40, which rerouted traffic and left many Route 66 towns struggling. Businesses closed, motels emptied, and communities adjusted to life off the main route. Yet Route 66 never truly disappeared.
Today, interest in the Mother Road has surged once again, driven by travelers seeking authenticity, history, and connection. As the 100th anniversary of Route 66 approaches, Beckham County continues to benefit from renewed appreciation, as visitors slow down to experience the towns and landmarks that remain.
That living history will be on display again this week as the Drive Home VII Route 66 Caravan makes its way through the region. The caravan will begin its day in Amarillo, Texas, with a scheduled lunch stop at the historic U-Drop Inn in Shamrock, Texas, before crossing into Oklahoma along the original Route 66 corridor.
The caravan’s first Oklahoma stop will be in Erick, where participants are expected to make a photo stop at the Sandhills Curiosity Shop. The stop places Beckham County directly on the day’s itinerary, offering residents the chance to see Route 66 enthusiasts and vintage vehicles celebrating the road’s enduring legacy.
From Erick, the caravan will continue east to Clinton for a tour of the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum, highlighting Oklahoma’s central role in the highway’s history. The day will conclude in Weatherford with dinner at Pecina’s Mexican Café, a longtime Route 66 dining destination that reflects the tradition of shared meals and fellowship along the road.
Events like the Drive Home VII Route 66 Caravan serve as reminders that Route 66 remains more than a historic designation. It is a living connection between past and present, linking communities through shared stories, preserved landmarks, and continued travel.
For Beckham County, Route 66 is not just a chapter in a history book. It lives on in old buildings, faded signs, and memories passed down through generations—and now, in the rumble of engines and footsteps of travelers retracing a familiar path along the Mother Road. Long after the caravan moves on, the stories of Route 66 will continue to echo, just as they have for nearly 100 years.
