Hampton Helps Preserve Route 66

MEMPHIS, TN— In an aggressive preservation effort, Route 66 will get a facelift thanks to Hampton hotels. Backed by the brands own funding and employee volunteers, along with the support of thousands of nostalgic fans, a program has been devised to put in place nearly 200 new roadway signs and freshly refurbished landmarks along the 2,448-mile road. According to a Hampton Road Trip Travel Survey, nearly two-thirds of Americans (64%) believe Route 66 should be declared a national landmark, although only two out of 10 (22%) have ever driven cross-country. Hampton is purchasing and donating 100 Route 66 highway signs to replace those that have been damaged or stolen throughout the years. The hotel brand also is designing, developing and posting 66 retro-styled “Point of Interest” signs at designated spots along the corridor’s eight-state stretch, featuring the stories behind many of Route 66’s landmarks and nostalgic sites. This year, the “Explore The Highway with Hampton Save-A-Landmark” effort will team up with Route 66 Associations across the nation, as well as each state’s Department of Transportation, to raise awareness for the famous roadway and help it to become recognized as a national landmark. This week, the first “Point of Interest” Route 66 signs will be unveiled at the 79-year old Lou Mitchell’s Restaurant in Chicago. Lou Mitchell’s is one of the first stops on the Route 66 road trip heading from East to West. In addition to the restorations and signage, Hampton’s website, www.hamptoninn.com, will promote a national electronic letter writing campaign to provide browsers and Route 66 fans with the information and tools necessary to contact their local government representatives. “As part of our ongoing ‘Save-A-Landmark’ program, we have been restoring everything from the famous 30-foot Big Duck in Long Island to the Bell Markers of the historic California missions because these landmarks are important to the traveling public,” said Judy Christa-Cathey, vp/marketing for Hampton.