Angel Delgadillo, a 98-year-old man who fought to save the "Mother Road" in Seligman, Arizona, before it was forgotten, has remained a key character in the US. His Original Route 66 Gift Shop, which features Route 66-themed T-shirts, mugs, water bottles, key chains, and other items, still attracts visitors from around the world. The highway, established in 1926 as the first American federal highway connecting Chicago to Los Angeles, now celebrates its 100th anniversary with a centennial celebration in 2026. The town's economy was largely dependent on passing traffic, and its businesses suffered overnight when the highway was opened up. Deladadillo's involvement in the initiative led to the demise of the highway and public transportation.