Kingman Is Gearing Up for the Mother Road’s Centennial

As the "Heart of Historic Route 66," Kingman is gearing up for the Mother Road’s 100th celebration. From Chicago to Santa Monica, cities along the stretch of highway are hosting signature celebrations, and Kingman is no different. With a dual celebration marking the city’s naming in 1882, and the Mother Road’s centennial, Kingman is hosting a screening of Route 66: The Main Street of America at Beale Street Theater on October 15th, and the eagerly anticipated I Heart Route 66 Fest on October 16 - 17, 2026. 

Kingman’s portion of the Mother Road is officially named Andy Devine Avenue, after the actor who was raised in the city. To help get your kicks on Route 66, the city installed “Kingman Route 66” signs along the historic 10-mile stretch, part of the longest remaining stretch in the United States, 157.87 miles.

To celebrate Red Letter Day, the date when the road was officially numbered 66 in 1926, the city will add street light pole banners on April 30, 2026.
 

The Golden Era & Beyond

Being a major part of such an important piece of American infrastructure and Arizona history, Kingman’s portion of Route 66 offers more than just highway memories to explore during this centennial celebration. 

Paving a path of promise since before 1926, the Palace Saloon & Sportsman’s Club was established in 1906. This Route 66 landmark boasts a rich history and remains a welcoming destination for both locals and visitors.

Hotel Brunswick opened in 1909 as Kingman’s first three-story building. While it’s no longer open for business, it houses:

• Garibaldi’s Restaurant for those who appreciate Italian food
• Silver and Stone Art Gallery for art enthusiasts
• AirBnB lodging for those wanting to rest within historical walls: Brunswick Studio 101 and Brunswick Studio 102

50 years later, the following Route 66 businesses opened in (or before) 1976, and are standing strong, showing peak potential for business owners considering Kingman:

• Arcadia Lodge
• El Trovatore Motel
• Ramblin Rose Motel (formerly Travelodge Motel)
• Rodeway Inn (formerly Ramada Inn) 
• Terrible Herbst Gas Station
• Hill Top Motel
• Dambar
• Ruthersford’s 66 Diner (formerly Denny’s)
• McDonald’s
• Best Western Plus, King’s Inn (formerly King’s Inn Motel)

We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the legacy organization, Kingman Area Chamber of Commerce. Founded in 1925, and formally established in 1926 as the Mohave County Chamber of Commerce, the Chamber continues to serve the community and its members by promoting business through education, partnerships, and networking. Throughout the years, the Chamber has been housed on Route 66 several times, and currently resides one block over on Beale Street.

Infrastructure Updates

Moving forward while looking back, Kingman has again partnered with ASU Project Cities to develop a vision for the I-11/I-40/US-93 corridor. Pending the consultant-level plan to be delivered in May 2026, the goals include:

• Identifying strategies to improve connectivity between the I-11/I-40 and Downtown Kingman.
• Leveraging historic resources and recreational assets to support heritage-compatible land use, retail opportunities, and downtown-oriented economic development.
• Determining how to encourage interstate travelers to exit and engage with Downtown Kingman through gateway visibility, signage, and placemaking. 
• Analyzing potential economic impacts of improvements. 

With Kingman being on Route 66, the work from the three professors and six graduate students of the Master of Urban and Environmental Planning program at the Tempe campus will have a valuable impact on the community.

In more infrastructure news, progress on the Boxcar Pedestrian Bridge continues. The team is working on a grant to relocate it to its new home at Lewis Kingman Park. This grant will also help fund some of the work needed to update and preserve its authenticity. Aiming to complete this project this year, the city is also working on a master plan for Art in Public Places to add some Kingman and Route 66 identity. Details to follow.

Plan Now & Join Us

October 16th is closer than you think. Winter has ended. Spring has begun, and April is here. Have you reserved your hotel stay? The time is now to move your travel plans from ideas to action. You don't want to miss what Kingman has planned to celebrate the centennial and beyond!