January 2, 2016

2173-2174 UNITED STATES (Arizona) - Historic Route 66

2173 Historic Route 66

Undoubtedly,  Route 66 is the world's most famous highway, an essential reference for the modern United States and for its culture. Also known as the Will Rogers Highway and colloquially known as the Main Street of America or the Mother Road,  it served as a major path for those who migrated west, especially during the Dust Bowl of the 1930s, and it supported the economies of the communities through which the road passed.

2173 Historic Route 66 - An old jail wagon and
log cabin jail house in Seligman (Arizona)

Established in 1926, it originally ran from Chicago (Illinois), through Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona before ending at Santa Monica (California), covering a total of 2,448 miles (3,940 km). It underwent many improvements and realignments over its lifetime, and it was removed from the U.S. Highway System in 1985. Portions of the road have been designated a National Scenic Byway of the name "Historic Route 66".

One of the most popular stopping points along Historic Route 66 is Seligman (456 inhabitants at the 2000 census) located on the northern border of Yavapai County, in northwestern Arizona. It experienced its real heyday after WWII, when returning veterans and other motorists hit the road and made the Southwest a popular tourist destination. In 1987 it gained its name "Birthplace of Historic Route 66" due to the efforts of Seligman residents, who convinced the State of Arizona to dedicate Route 66 a historic highway.

Seligman is the first stop heading west on the longest uninterrupted stretch of historic Route 66, running around 160 miles (260 km) to Topock on the east side of the Colorado River. The Seligman Commercial Historic District protects the historical central area's early 20th century commercial buildings, including Pitts General Merchandise Store and the U.S. Post Office from 1903, the Pioneer Hall and Theatre and the Seligman Garage from 1905, and the Seligman Pool Hall from 1923.

About the stamps
On the postcard 2173
The first stamp is part of the Wedding series, about which I wrote here. The second, depicting the lighthouse located in Portsmouth Harbor (New Castle, NH), is part of the Forever series New England Coastal Lighthouses, about which I wrote here.

On the postcard 2174

The first stamp is part of the Wedding series, about which I wrote here.


The second stamp is part of the series Statehood, which began in 1935 and continuing until present. It comprises all the states behind Old Glory’s stars, and the scenes that make them distinct.
2013 - West Virginia / 1963 - It's on the postcard 2174

References
U.S. Route 66 - Wikipedia
Seligman, Arizona - Wikipedia

Sender 2173-2174 : Denise
Sent from Greenvale (New York / United States), on 19.12.2013
Photo 2173-2174: Richard Strange

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