Highway 61 has a lot in common with its somewhat longer cousin, Route 66. Both stated out as a collection of locally designated state and local highways. In 1926 they both came under Federal jurisdiction as U.S. Highways and received their numeric designation and shields. Highway 61 passes through 7 states plus an extended portion in Ontario. Route 66 passes through 8 states. 61 is about 1,700 miles long whereas 66 is about 2,450 miles long. Route 66 is known as The Mother Road (by John Steinbeck in “The Grapes of Wrath”) and The Other Road is known as “The Blues Highway”. Both carry a lot of history, and both are noted in cultural references, Including a TV show (Route 66) and a Bob Dylan song and album (Highway 61 Revisited).
But there are differences…
Route 66 ran east to west from Chicago, IL to Santa Monica, CA. Highway 61 runs north to south from Canada to New Orleans, LA. Route 66 was decommissioned in 1985 and is now either lost or parts are remembered only as a Scenic Historic Route. It was replaced by several interstate highways. Highway 61 lives on, even though interstates took over most of the traffic. 61 remains as state and county highways, still following their original path throughout Minnesota. It may take some hunting, but the road remains.
The other difference is water… Route 66 had plenty of water – on each end – with Lake Michigan and the Pacific Ocean. In between, it was dry, sometimes VERY dry. Highway 61, on the other hand, always seemed to have ample water nearby. Of course, at its start, 61 runs along the scenic North Shore of Lake Superior. At Duluth, it followed the St. Louis River for a way and then flirted with a variety of smaller tributary streams. Further along, it took up with the St. Croix River and following it along to the Twin Cities area where it joined up with the mighty Mississippi River. From there, it would parallel the Mississippi all the way to New Orleans. 61 would also pick up the “Great River Road” designation.
It seems like Route 66 caught the nation’s fancy and got all the fame and recognition. Poor old Highway 61 was the neglected child and received only limited acclaim. Maybe it’s time for someone to write a book or make a movie about the history and significance of The Other Road…
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