Vega in Oldham County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
The Mother Road of Historic Route 66
Photographed By Jason Voigt, October 10, 2021
1. The Mother Road of Historic Route 66 Marker
The Mother Road of Route 66 ran north from I-40 on First Street then west on Main across Vega. A number of abandoned concrete bridges are the only readily visible signs of the old route across the Texas panhandle.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the U.S. Route 66 series list.
Location. 35° 14.838′ N, 102° 25.863′ W. Marker is in Vega, Texas, in Oldham County. Marker is at the intersection of North 12th Street and West Main Street, on the right when traveling south on North 12th Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 105 N 12th St, Vega TX 79092, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 7 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Dot's Mini Museum, Vega, Texas (a few steps from this marker); Site of Old Tascosa (approx. 0.2 miles away); Senator W. S. Oldham (approx. 0.2 miles away); Doctor Oscar H. Loyd (approx. 0.2 miles away); Oldham County Courthouse, Vega, Texas
this page online
Regarding The Mother Road of Historic Route 66. West Main Street in Vega was part of the original Route 66 alignment from 1926 to 1936. That segment of the road passed through downtown where the Oldham County Courthouse as well as the Magnolia Gas Station and Milburn-Price Museum are located. That all changed sometime in 1936 when Route 66 was re-routed to what is now Vega Boulevard (also known as Business Interstate 40). Both alignments would head west to the next town, Adrian. Much of the original Route 66 alignment west of Vega is now on private property, making it difficult to access for travelers.
Photographed By Jason Voigt, October 10, 2021
2. The Mother Road of Historic Route 66 Marker
Marker is under the Old Route 66 "End" sign, which indicates travelers and Mother Road enthusiasts can't go any further on this original alignment.
Photographed By Jason Voigt, October 10, 2021
3. The Mother Road of Historic Route 66 Marker
This is the original 1926-1936 alignment of Route 66, which would end several feet away from the marker's location. One would end up at a dead end, and on private property as the road was terminated.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 4, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 2, 2021, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 211 times since then and 62 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 2, 2021, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.
