Santa Monica History Museum

Creating Route 66: Road, Legend, Community
2026 Exhibition: November 13, 2026, through June 27, 2027




File: smhm_creating_route66_36-2-.228_smhm_collection
Title: Will Rogers Highway Celebration - Ted Fach, 1952
Credit: Santa Monica History Museum Collection (36.2.228)

Will Rogers Highway "66" convention and celebration. Seen here is Mayor Claude Crawford, Miss Highway 66, and an unidentified man. (Credit:  Ted Fach)


File: smhm_creating_route66_3-2-763_bill_beebe_collection.jpg
Title: Promoting Route 66 in Beverly Hills, 1938
Credit: Bill Beebe Collection (3.2.763)

Bathing beauties pose with a sign designating Route 66, Will Rogers Memorial Highway, in Beverly Hills, August 1, 1938. Jean Myras is pictured. 


File: smhm_creating_route66_3-2-2702_bill_beebe_collection
Title: Beauty Contestants at Santa Monica Beach, 1958
Credit: Bill Beebe Collection (3.2.2702), 1958

Publicity for Will Rogers Highway. The Route 66 sign is on the beach surrounded by beauty contestants. The beauty contestants include Miss Santa Monica, Miss Venice and Miss Culver City.


File: smhm_creating_route66_36-2-4691_smhm_collection
Title: Donald Jackson and Miss Highway 66
Credit: Santa Monica History Museum Collection (36.2.4691)

U.S. Representative of California Donald Jackson (1910 - 1981) poses with Miss Highway 66. Jackson was an editor, reporter and director of publicity for Santa Monica.


File: smhm_creating_route66_3-2-4001_bill_beebe_collection
Title: Worker at La Monica Motors on Route 66, 1942
Credit: Bill Beebe Collection (3.2.4001)

Two mechanics work on automobiles on lifts in the service department of La Monica Motors, 209 Colorado Avenue.












