SANTA MONICA, Calif. – After 83 years, the Santa Monica Pier was
designated as the official Western Terminus of Route 66 Wednesday by the
Route 66 Alliance, an organization that promotes and preserves the
historic roadway between Chicago and Santa Monica, Calif., in a ceremony
at the Southern California landmark where a replica of the once-lost
“End of the Trail” sign was unveiled by local dignitaries and civic
officials.
The ceremony was preceded by a processional motorcade of 66 vintage cars
and motorbikes that drove the final western tip of the highway,
beginning at Santa Monica Blvd. and Lincoln Blvd. and ending on the
Santa Monica Pier.
The official designation of the Santa Monica Pier as the West
Coast’s end to Route 66 during the Pier’s centennial year was developed
in partnership with the Santa Monica Convention and Visitors Bureau,
Route 66 Alliance, 66 to Cali Inc. and the Santa Monica Pier Restoration
Corporation to acknowledge a commonly held public perception that the
pier was the end of the historic roadway, although never officially
recognized.
“This Veterans Day marks the 83rd anniversary of Route 66, and we
are proud to on this day unite the nation once again from Illinois to
California by commemorating the national link the ‘Main Street of
America’ delivered so many years ago,” said Jim Conkle, chair of the
Route 66 Alliance, “We believe that unveiling this sign at the iconic
Santa Monica Pier today will resonate deeply with those across the
country who are passionate about the roadway’s enduring legacy.”
The sign’s unveiling was a tribute to a historic and famous sign
that read “End of the Trail” that once stood overlooking the Santa
Monica Pier during the 1930s. Although long ago disappeared, the sign
played a role in creating the national public opinion that the end of
Route 66 was at the Santa Monica Pier, even though the official terminus
was under debate throughout the road’s history.
About the Route 66 Alliance
The Route 66 Alliance is a foundation designed to preserve and
support programs and projects that benefit the entire length of Route 66
from Chicago to Santa Monica. This is accomplished through the
development and distribution of new resources to worthy, qualified
organizations that share its vision and mission.
About the Santa Monica Pier Restoration Corporation
The Santa Monica Pier Restoration Corporation (SMPRC), established
in 1983, is a non-profit, public benefit corporation made up of business
and community leaders who represent the full range of community
interests. It was created by the Santa Monica City Council to preserve
and enhance the pleasure pier experience for people of all ages and for
future generations and is funded by the City of Santa Monica. For more
information, visit santamonicapier.org.
