Route History

Route History was honored to receive the Legacy of Historical Preservation Award at the Springfield Urban League Inc. 100th anniversary dinner for our work preserving the stories of the Great Migration and the history of Black travelers along Route 66!

For generations, the Springfield Urban League has helped expand opportunity, strengthen families, and support the Springfield community. Its history also reflects the broader Urban League Movement and the vital role these organizations played as Black families established new lives and communities during the Great Migration.

At Route History, we believe preserving this history is essential to shaping our future. We are honored to carry this legacy forward and look forward to the next 100 years!

Congratulations to the Springfield Urban League Inc. on 100 years of service and leadership!

Route 66 came to symbolize freedom, possibility, and the promise of the open road. Beginning in Chicago and stretching westward, it offered travelers new opportunities for movement, exploration, and connection.

Yet during segregation, that promise was not experienced equally. Black travelers often faced discrimination at hotels, restaurants, gas stations, and other roadside businesses. Resources such as The Negro Motorist Green Book became essential, helping families identify places where they could safely rest, eat, and refuel.

The history of Route 66 is both a celebration of possibility and a reminder of the resilience required to pursue it.

Between 1910 and 1970, millions of Black Americans left the rural South during the Great Migration, seeking greater freedom, safety, and economic opportunity in cities across the North, Midwest, and West. Many were escaping racial violence, segregation, limited employment, and unequal access to education and housing.

Although migration offered hope, building a new life in an unfamiliar city was not always easy. Black families often faced discrimination in the workplace, housing restrictions, and difficulty accessing essential resources. Urban League affiliates became important sources of support, helping newcomers find employment, secure housing, continue their education, and adjust to their new communities.

The Great Migration was more than a movement from one region to another, it reshaped American cities, strengthened Black communities, and influenced the nation’s culture, politics, and economy. The work of organizations like the Urban League helped turn the search for opportunity into a foundation for lasting progress.

A century of impact deserves to be recognized.

On September 12, 2026, the Springfield Urban League Inc. will commemorate its 100th anniversary with a special Centennial Dinner honoring a remarkable legacy of service and community progress.

For generations, the Springfield Urban League has helped expand opportunity, strengthen families, and support the Springfield community. Its history also reflects the broader Urban League Movement and the vital role these organizations played as Black families established new lives and communities during the Great Migration.

Route History is proud to recognize this extraordinary milestone and the generations of people whose dedication have carried the mission forward. One hundred years represents more than a look back, it is a celebration of enduring impact and the future still being built.

What connects the Great Migration, the Urban League, Route 66, and the Negro Motorist Green Book? Together, they tell a larger story of movement, opportunity, and the Black communities that created pathways forward.

During the Great Migration, millions of Black Americans left the South to build new lives across the country. The National Urban League helped migrants navigate employment, housing, education, and unfamiliar urban communities.

As automobile travel expanded, Route 66 represented freedom and possibility, but segregation made travel dangerous for Black motorists. The Green Book helped travelers find businesses and accommodations where they could receive service with greater safety.

Across Illinois, cities including Chicago, Bloomington, Springfield, and the East St. Louis/St. Louis area were connected to Green Book travel and Urban League affiliates. Although separate, these networks helped Black families pursue safety, opportunity, and belonging.

This September, Route History will explore how these stories traveled together and why their legacy still matters.

Does your family have a Great Migration or Route 66 story? Share it in the comments.



Springfield Urban League Inc.

🇺🇸 Happy 4th of July! ❤️🤍💙

🎤 Meet Minnie Lightford, the talented and charismatic guide behind our Virtual Reality Route 66 experience! From her captivating blues performances to sharing the rich history of the Illinois leg of Route 66, Minnie brings every story to life.

✨ Get ready to step into history with one unforgettable guide.

A jazz legend you need to know. 🎷✨

Born in Brooklyn, Illinois, Hamiet Bluiett was a groundbreaking saxophonist, composer, and one of the most influential voices in modern jazz. His music and legacy continue to inspire generations around the world.

A celebration of freedom. A legacy of resilience. A history that continues to inspire. Happy Juneteenth! ❤️🖤💚

Davis was a young artist learning from his mentor, Elwood Buchanan, in East St. Louis.

Their story is one of talent, guidance, and the power of community in shaping a musical legend.

Discover how East St. Louis helped influence the life and career of Miles Davis as part of our immersive Virtual Reality Route 66 experience.

Learn more about Miles Davis and Elwood Buchanan at the East St. Louis stop on our virtual reality tour.

📍 Book your visit today!