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Route 66 Centennial Speaker Series: Saturday, January 24, 11am
January 24 @ 11:00 am – 12:30 pm
Join us for a year long, monthly historical lecture series for the Route 66 Centennial in 2026! From January to November on 4th Saturdays at 11am, come a hear different speakers on a wide range of topics. Free. Open to the public.
About the Talk: Rerouting Route 66 Through New Mexico
Why is there an historic Route 66 in Santa Fe and through Tijeras? How and when was Route 66 first established in 1926 by the new Federal highway system, and why was the route realigned in 1937? In New Mexico, challenges abounded, including crossing the Rio Grande, tackling La Bajada Hill, and political infighting.
About the Speaker: Roger Zimmer
Roger Zimmerman is a New Mexico native and was born in Gallup. He has been a civil engineer, university professor, and author, and enjoys researching and telling the story of the Mother Road.
Sponsored by the Albuquerque Historical Society, East Mountain Historical Society, Historic Albuquerque, Inc., and the Los Ranchos Historical Society.
At a dozen sites along Route 66, each month will see a dozen different talks. The speakers will rotate each month, so we will have different talks each month at the Tijeras Public Library.