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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 30, 2026
Lt. Governor David Wasinger to Join Springfield Leaders for Route 66 Plaza Dedication on Centennial Anniversary
SPRINGFIELD, MO – Today Lieutenant Governor David Wasinger will travel to Springfield to mark a defining moment in American history and Missouri pride. Joined by the Missouri Route 66 Centennial Commission, local leaders, and community partners, he will help dedicate the new Route 66 Plaza at exactly 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 30 — the precise moment, one hundred years ago, that the telegram naming Route 66 was sent from the nearby Colonial Hotel.
The dedication stands at the center of Missouri’s centennial celebration, cementing Springfield’s place as the birthplace of the “Mother Road” and the launch point of one of the world’s most notable brands.
While the ceremony marks the opening of a physical landmark, the Lieutenant Governor will focus on what it represents: a century of Missouri leadership, grit, and vision. Route 66 is not just history, it is one of Missouri’s strongest economic drivers and a cornerstone of the state’s tourism industry.
The new plaza is built to be a world-class destination, anchoring Missouri’s open road tourism strategy and ensuring that the economic momentum started a century ago continues to deliver for Missouri families, small businesses, and communities for generations to come.
“Each year, thousands of travelers from across the country and around the world come to Missouri to experience this historic ground,” said Lt. Governor David Wasinger. “They don’t just pass through, they invest in our state, supporting local restaurants, hotels, and entrepreneurs. Route 66 continues to pay dividends because Missouri has never stopped believing in it.
But beyond economics, the “Main Street of America” remains one of the clearest symbols of freedom and opportunity — a road that connects communities, cultures, and generations from the heartland to the coasts.
Lieutenant Governor Wasinger will also recognize the City of Springfield, local Rotary Clubs, and community partners whose leadership made the plaza possible. Their work ensures that the story of Route 66 stays rooted right where it began.
Lt. Governor David Wasinger concluded by stating, “As Missouri steps into the next century of the Mother Road, the message is simple: Missouri isn’t just part of the story—we are the heart of it, and we’re ready for what’s next.”
About David Wasinger
David Wasinger serves as Missouri’s 49th Lt. Governor. Wasinger is a lifelong Missourian, raised in Hannibal, Missouri. He graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia and Vanderbilt University School of Law, building a career as an attorney who stood up to powerful special interests and fought for justice for everyday Americans.
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Media Contact: Chris Walker
Chris.Walker@ltgov.mo.gov
Office: (573) 751-4727
Office of Lieutenant Governor David Wasinger
Missouri State Capitol
201 Capitol Ave., Room 224
Jefferson City, MO 65101 |
