In celebration of Route 66’s centennial, the City of Chicago will formally recognize Navy Pier as the symbolic starting point of the highway.
The dedication ceremony celebrating the new starting point of Route 66 and its role in American history, culture and adventure will take place on March 25, according to a news release.
The designation was approved through a resolution introduced by Alderman Brendan Reilly and adopted by the Chicago City Council in recognition of Route 66’s centennial and Chicago’s historic role as the route’s eastern anchor.
“Route 66 has always been about dreams and possibility,” said 42nd Ward Alderman Brendan Reilly. “Designating Navy Pier as the eastern terminus honors Chicago’s historic role while creating a powerful Pier-to-Pier connection that captures the true spirit of the American journey.”
Navy Pier is about one mile northeast from Route 66’s actual eastern terminus of East Adams Street and South Michigan Avenue.
In 2009, the symbolic endpoint of Route 66 was moved one mile west from the actual western terminus at Olympic and Lincoln boulevards — a once-nondescript intersection — to the gaudier Santa Monica Pier.
The symbolic move culminated with the erection of the “Route 66: End of the Trail” sign, though multitudes of Route 66 travelers already had ended their journeys at the pier for many years.
A new Route 66 sign will be installed at Navy Pier, marking it as the “Beginning of the Trail.”
The Pier-to-Pier connection creates a symbolic bookend to one of America’s most storied highways, linking Lake Michigan to the Pacific Ocean and reinforcing Chicago’s role as a historic origin point and a modern gateway for exploration.
“Route 66 has long represented connection and possibility, and we’re proud that its journey now begins at Navy Pier,” said Marilynn Gardner, CEO of Navy Pier. “As Chicago’s front porch and a gateway to the city, Navy Pier is a fitting starting point to honor 100 years of American history, culture, and travel.”
The celebration coincides with baseball season’s Opening Day, uniting two American traditions: America’s road and America’s pastime.
As part of the daylong festivities, Harry Caray’s on Navy Pier will host the 28th annual Worldwide Toast to Harry Caray — an event celebrating the life of Caray, who announced baseball games for the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs for many years.
“Harry Caray’s life perfectly embodied the spirit of Route 66 — freedom, optimism, and the joy of the journey,” said Harry Caray’s CEO Grant DePorter, who was instrumental in the city’s decision to make Navy Pier the starting point for Route 66.
“Harry grew up along Route 66 in St. Louis, learned to drive on Route 66, and took Route 66 to Wrigley Field to announce his very first baseball game. It’s incredibly meaningful that the road now begins at Navy Pier, where we gather each year to celebrate him.”
The Route 66-themed toast will feature a lineup of “roadside attractions” including live music and entertainment with special performances by Tom Higgenson of the Plain White T’s; classic car displays from Volo Auto Museum; alpacas from the Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences, representing those found along Route 66 in Arizona; and more.
Both Navy Pier (built in 1916) and Santa Monica Pier (built in 1909) have their own historic cachets.
(Image of Navy Pier in Chicago by David Wilson via Flickr)