When the US Congress passed the Route 66 Study Act in 1990, the intent was to gain a better understanding of the historical importance of the famous highway. We conducted an intensive survey and prepared a context statement to document the California portion of the route for the California Preservation Foundation and the National Park Service. We also provided guidance for the nomination of historic properties along the route.
The 1990 Act recognized that Route 66 “has become a symbol of the American people’s heritage of travel and their legacy of seeking a better life.” We identified several important properties as candidates for the National Register of Historic Places, including the Wigwam Village No. 7 in San Bernardino, which was officially listed in 2012. GIS mapping effectively helps our clients manage collected data, including inventory forms for 523 historic properties.