There are only 13.2 miles of Route 66 in Kansas, but the Sunflower State packs in as much history and adventure per mile as any of the eight Route 66 states. Route 66 in Kansas includes the wild tales from the days of "Red Hot Street" and the "First Cowtown in Kansas." Blood was spilled here during the Civil War and when workers in the mines fought for their rights. Travelers will meet a beloved character from the motion picture Cars, cross a rare Rainbow Bridge, and see classic scenes along the Main Streets. Kansas was completely bypassed and was not even mentioned in the Bobby Troup song "(Get Your Kicks) on Route 66," but it would be a major mistake to pass it by today. It deserves to be experienced slowly—with the top down and the radio up.
Joe Sonderman and Cheryl Eichar Jett collaborated previously on Images of America: Route 66 in Illinois. Sonderman also has written books on six more states along the route and other St. Louis history works. Jett is the author of five other Arcadia Publishing titles and a well-known historian in the Edwardsville, Illinois, area. The two have gathered over 200 photographs that tell the story of a section of Route 66 that should not be missed.