Join Springfield and the Route 66 community for the dedication of Birthplace Plaza, a new public heritage destination honoring the exact place where America’s Mother Road received its name in 1926.
This special centennial event celebrates the unveiling of a landmark space created to preserve and share the Route’s origin story through public art, interpretive elements, and tributes to the historic Colonial Hotel. Designed as both memorial and gathering place, Birthplace Plaza stands as a new waypoint for travelers and a lasting tribute to the cultural significance of Route 66.
The... ceremony marks an important milestone in the Route 66 Centennial and recognizes the collaboration of civic leaders, preservation advocates, Rotary Clubs of Springfield, and community partners who helped bring the project to life.
Visitors will experience the formal opening of a place intended to connect past and future, honoring the visionaries who helped launch the Mother Road while celebrating the enduring spirit of Route 66.
Highlights include:
Official dedication of Birthplace Plaza
Unveiling of sculptural mural and interpretive kiosk
Centennial commemoration at the birthplace of Route 66
Recognition of project partners and supporters
Public celebration honoring the legacy of the Mother Road
A meaningful gathering for travelers, historians, preservationists, and anyone drawn to the story of Route 66.
