The innovative, interactive Route 66 Angels exhibit was officially unveiled at a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Powerhouse Visitor Center in Kingman, Arizona on July 28, 2023. Combining StoryFile technology with a display of photographs and memorabilia, the exhibit chronicles one of his first chapters. In the renaissance of historic Route 66. The Kingman Visitor Authority said, “The Route 66 Museum inside the Kingman Visitor provides a chronological account of the history of Route 66. But it lacked the monumental part: the story of its rebirth.” So this experience filled that gap and allowed me to tell the full story of Route 66 in Arizona.”
The exhibition also preserves Ángel Delgadillo’s legacy in a way that will inspire future generations. “We really wanted this exhibit to be the best next to visiting Angel’s barbershop and gift shop in Seligman and meeting Angel in person. We look forward to helping you experience The Angel Experience and hope that your visitors will leave feeling moved and inspired by this one-of-a-kind experience focused on a one-of-a-kind person,” said Arizona. Nicky Segers of the Historic Route 66 Association said.
On February 18, 1987, Angel held a meeting at the Copper Cart Restaurant in Seligman, Arizona with the goal of founding an organization to promote historic Route 66. Arizona Historic Route 66 Association It served as a template and inspired other state organizers along the Route 66 corridor.
Following in the footsteps of the US Highway 66 Association, founded in 1927, the Arizona Historic Route 66 Association, chaired by Angel Delgadillo, launches a letter-writing campaign and lobbying to designate Route 66 in Arizona as a Historic Highway Did. With this designation, the association shifted its focus to the Mojave, Yavapai, and Coconino county oversight boards when it received notice that portions of the highways needed to be rehabilitated and brought up to state standards. They also continued to lobby the Arizona legislature.
In November 1987, Arizona designated Route 66 from Seligman to Kingman as “Historic Route 66.” Soon after, this designation was extended to the Colorado River for his pre-1952 alignment of the highway through the Black Mountains. The designation also served as a template for other states looking to preserve and utilize sections of Route 66.
To commemorate this victory, on April 23 and 24, 1988, the Arizona Historic Route 66 Association held a dedication ceremony that included the 1st Annual Route 66 Fun Run.Arizona Governor Rose Mofford and the Bobby Troupe, authors of the famous Route 66 song “”Enjoy Route 66‘ with Will Rogers, Jr. The music for this historic event was performed by Angel’s family band, the Delgadillo Orchestra, and Dick Clark his band.
In the decades that followed, Angel Delgadillo gave thousands of interviews and advocated for the promotion and preservation of Route 66, transforming his barbershop in Seligman, Arizona into a destination for many Route 66 enthusiasts in the process. I was. His tireless efforts have also inspired countless community organizers.
This exhibit was created by Wade Bray, Vice President of Creative Services. SRO Productions, Inc. Bray is also the developer of the annual AAA Route 66 Road Fest in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by media from multiple states, dignitaries such as Kingman City Councilman “Smiley Ward” and Mayor Ken Watkins, and Angel’s family. A full video of the ceremony is available at Jim Hinckley’s America Website and YouTube channel.
