Who We Are and Why Route 66?

 

For nearly eighty years, Route 66 has been the famous Mother Road from Chicago, Illinois to Santa Monica, California.  In 2000 congress approved this highway as a Historic Route and also appropriated federal funding for restoring historic landmarks along the highway. As history has documented, the road has led to the development of our western states. Route 66 was the major link of Americas intercontinental commerce (both legal and illegal).

 

Law Enforcement agencies all along this historic highway, have been combating illegal activities for the past 80 years. Inter-departmental cooperation through the years has resulted in closing the files on many major criminals. Improved Traffic Safety on the interstate corridor has resulted from the presence and patrolling of our state, county and local law enforcement officers.  Some of the nations oldest fire departments are located on Route 66.  Everyday heroes working for proud departments in Chicago, St. Louis, Oklahoma City, Los Angeles and every city in between.  

 

In order to preserve and share a part of America’s past, the Route 66 Patrol was formed in 2000. The Patrol is dedicated to the preservation of the history of Law Enforcement and Firefighting along the Historic Route 66 Corridor and to the promotion of a better understanding of the role which law enforcement and firefighting has within the community.

 

The Patrol collects documents and artifacts which help to establish the history, developments and activities of these departments.  Our ultimate goal is to establish the Route 66 Police and Fire Museum somewhere along the 2450 miles of old Route 66.

 

Route 66 Patrol, its members and volunteers play an active role in promoting educational events for participating departments in the eight states along this historic highway.  These events are often fun, educational and filled with fascinating history about Route 66 and its police/fire tradition.

 

The commemorative U.S. ROUTE 66 LAW ENFORCEMENT POSTER has a detailed map of the entire route from Illinois to California with full-color photos of each departments embroidered arm patch. These posters are available for purchase, along with other merchandise by clicking on "MERCHANDISE" button at the top of this page. 

 

Enjoy your visit to our site and please contact us if you have any ideas on how we can better this special place on the net.