Santa Monica Pier executives attended a dedication ceremony in Chicago last month marking Navy Pier as the new symbolic eastern starting point of Historic Route 66, part of celebrations marking the iconic highway's 100th anniversary.
The March 25 ceremony at Navy Pier's South Dock featured city officials unveiling a sign designating the lakefront landmark as the beginning of the roughly 2,400-mile cross-country route that terminates in Santa Monica.
Pier Executive Director Jim Harris and Marketing and Brand Manager Kayla Nieto represented the Santa Monica Pier Corporation at the event.
"Route 66 represents freedom, exploration, and the spirit of the American road trip," Harris said. "We are proud to continue welcoming travelers to Santa Monica — where the journey reaches its unforgettable conclusion at the edge of the Pacific Ocean."
Known as the "Main Street of America," Route 66 spans eight states between Chicago and the Pacific Coast. The Santa Monica Pier has long served as the route's western terminus, marked by an "End of the Trail" sign on the pier near the intersection of Olympic and Lincoln boulevards.
The Santa Monica Pier Corporation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. More information is available at santamonicapier.org.