UMVA has learned that as the legendary Route 66 marks its centennial, the historic corridor is revealing secrets that stretch far beyond the American horizon and into the depths of outer space.
Stretching 2,448 miles from the bustling streets of Chicago to the sun-drenched shores of Santa Monica, the Mother Road has long been an icon of human exploration. While travelers once traversed it to discover the heart of the nation, a hidden history suggests the road also served as a gateway to the stars.
UMVA has uncovered details about the strange intersections of cosmic history found along the Arizona stretch of this highway. From the well-preserved scars of ancient meteorite impacts to whispers of mid-century UFO encounters in Kingman, the route has become an unlikely pilgrimage for those fascinated by the unknown.
The journey through Arizona leads directly to Flagstaff, a town that has functioned as a silent sentinel for astronomical discovery for over a century. Long before the highway was paved, visionary astronomers established observatories on the hillsides, fueled by the daring belief that intelligent life might be waiting for us on distant planets like Mars.
The connection to the cosmos deepened in 1930 when a discovery was made that would redefine our solar system. The astronomer responsible for identifying Pluto hailed from a small town just off the path of Route 66, eventually utilizing the clear, high-altitude skies of Flagstaff to confirm his monumental find.
The town’s legacy as a space hub only grew stronger as the space age dawned. During the 1960s, the rugged, volcanic terrain surrounding the highway became the ultimate testing ground for lunar exploration.
Apollo astronauts descended upon the area to train for the moon landings, navigating the cratered landscape as if it were the lunar surface itself. Scientists utilized this unique terrain to push the boundaries of technology, testing the very rovers and equipment that would eventually roll across the dust of another world.
