Route 66 Museums - Places to Enjoy Route 66 History in the Southwest

From Personal Collections to Major Attractions

When it comes to Route 66 history and memorabilia, it doesn’t take an exhibit at the Smithsonian or Louvre to satisfy the interests of the Route 66 enthusiast. In fact, the more obscure and informal the exhibit the better. We have gathered some ideas where you might find collections of Southwest Route 66 history and memorabilia, most of which is right on “the Mother Road.”

Texas

Devil’s Rope Barbed Wire Museum-

Address: 100 Kingsley Street. P.O. Box 290, McLean, Texas 79057

Devils’ rope is barbed wire. This museum claims to have the largest collection of barbed wire in the world. Located on old Route 66, they also are a center for Texas Route 66 information and preservation. They have a great Online Texas Route 66 Guide .

Adrian, Texas – Midpoint of Route 66

In 1937, Route 66 was paved and realigned through the towns of Adrian and Vega. When visiting, you will want to enjoy both versions of the Route. Some of the cafes and businesses have Route 66 memorabilia. The Adrian Route 66 website points out Dot's Mini-Museum. “Dot is more than 80 years young and has lived and worked on Route 66 since 1941. She is one of those special people that will make your tour of Route 66 an adventure.”

New Mexico

Tucumcari Historical Museum

This museum is like an attic of all the townspeople’s treasures. “There is stuff piled on top of stuff – under stuff – between stuff – stuffed inside of stuff – and overstuffed stuff. There are two stories of stuff, a basement with stuff, and outbuildings overflowing with stuff. And what constitutes a museum exhibit? Here at the Tucumcari Museum, about anything goes. Prized bowling balls, a collection of used cowboy boots, a bucket of particularly colorful cow-patties, piles of family scrapbooks, bootleg liquor stills, a roulette wheel from one of the old gambling halls, you name it.” (Source: Tucumcari Historical Museum).

Bozo’s Route 66 Auto Museum – Santa Rosa, New Mexico

Address: Route 66, a mile west of east I-40 and U.S. 66/54-85 interchange. Besides automobiles, the owner, James “Bozo” Cordova, and his wife, have acquired an extensive collection of signs including the original Fat Man sign from the now defunct Club Café. The museum is open seven days a week and also features a snack bar and gift shop.This looks like one of the better collections.

Arizona

Route 66 Museum – Kingman, Arizona

Address: 120 West Andy Devine Ave., Kingman, AZ 86401.

Hours: 9-6 Daily (5pm Dec.-Feb.)

The Kingman Route 66 Museum is truly unique in that it is a museum of history, housed in the unique and historical Powerhouse building, located in the “heart” of the longest remaining stretch of the 2400 miles that was Route 66. Their exhibits include murals, photos and life-size dioramas, all illustrating the history of Route 66 and the people who traveled the road. This is an absolutely fabulous museum. There is a fee for admission.