OATMAN, Ariz. – It was a long time coming, but Rt. 66 has been recognized as a National Civil Engineering Landmark. Two plaques have been erected in Mohave County to commemorate the event, one in Oatman and one in Cool Springs. A ceremony was held in Oatman Tuesday, Nov. 10 to celebrate the fete, one day prior to the Mother Road and Main Street of America turning 100. The road was commissioned on November 11, 1926, going from Chicago to California.
“This is really a dedication to the civil engineers of Rt. 66 and all the hard work that goes into maintaining the roadway and what it’s meant to our community,” said Bo Hellams, Director of Destination Development and Parks Department.
He said no one can speak to that better than Mohave County Public Works Director Steve Latoski.
“Rt. 66 is the fabric of Mohave County,” Latoski said. It’s a global identity. Rt. 66 really opened the American west. This particular section of Rt. 66 you’re standing on was intentionally rerouted through the town of Oatman due to the major economic generator that Oatman was, due to the gold boom in the early 1900s.”
“Despite going through the rugged Black Mountains, engineers, surveyors, and highway crew made this happen, punctuating the very importance that Rt. 66 had in joining the Main Streets of America,” Latoski continued. “Most importantly, we are very honored and very gracious to the American Society of Civil Engineers that designated this Rt. 66 in all its entirety from Illinois to California as a Civil Engineering National Historic Landmark.”
He introduced two civil engineers – Seth Chalmers of the American Society of Civil Engineers who heads up the Rt. 66 Committee for the Arizona Chapter and Jonathan Upchurch, also with the American Society of Civil Engineers who heads up the National Committee on Historic Preservation.
“We’re just so grateful for the American Society of Civil Engineers for bestowing this landmark recognition on the entirety of Rt. 66,” Latoski stated. “Lastly, we must thank our Public Works staff Les Handley, as well as Greg Vanderbuen, who did a tremendous amount of research and put together an application in 2020 that got the process going. Over six years later, we’re finally here at the dedication of this historic Civil Engineering Landmark for Rt. 66.”
Featured photo: Group photo of local dignitaries, Oatman residents and visitors who attended the Rt. 66 National Civil Engineering Landmark Ceremony in Oatman Tuesday, Nov. 10. Photo by Connie “Ceejay” Jones.
