The Main Street of America. Using this phrase as the basis for a brilliant marketing campaign developed by the US Highway 66 Association, the perception of Route 66 as a linear community was born. From the perspective of 2026, the highway’s centennial year, we see that Route 66 has evolved into something bigger. It is America’s longest small town.

Promoting a highway corrdior as the Main Street of America had its origns in the National Old Trails Road. In the southwest this was the predecessor of Route 66.

Judge J.M. Lowe, president of the National Old Trails Road Association from its 1912 inception until April 1926, linked the phrase to this early coast to coast highway. It was rather fitting as the National Old Trails Road had knit the nations historic trails including the Beale Wagon Road and Santa Fe Trail into a corrdidor that blurred the line between past, present, and future. That road also created a linear community.

The Main Street of America

In recent weeks I have been given ample incentive to think about the Main Street of America and its future. I am not just talking about Route 66, that highway’s centennial and its future. My thoughts are on the future of the Main Street in towns large and small.

Jim Hinckley’s America is built on a passion for sharing the American story. And all indications are that the chapter currently being written will be dramatic. It will also be transformative.

Topping the list of reasons for my thoughts are being dominated by the future of Main Street in America is the upcoming Local First Arizona 19th Annual Rural Policy Forum. I recently accepted an invitation to serve as key note speaker at the event scheduled for August 5 – 7 in Kingman, Arizona.

Beyond The Route 66 Centennial

As this is the year we celebrate the Route 66 centennial, the conference will be heavily weighted toward communities along that corridor. But aside from the ready made opportunity for marketing, all communities have a story to tell. And it is that unique story that is the basis for marketing a community as a destination. It is also key to building a sense of community and community purpose.

The economic development potential for a community transformed into a destination is only limited by the ability of leadership to get buy in for their vision of the future. The foundation, however, is that strong sense of community.

Simply put, a community that becomes a destination for visitors becomes a place where people want to live. It is also a place where people want to retire, to raise families and to open businesses.

Living on Tulsa Time

Between today and the conference in August, our calendar is chock full of various opportunities to do what we do best – tell people where to go and share America’s story. And it looks like there will be at least one opportunity to enjoy the magic of the great American Road Trip.

The centennial edition of the AAA Route 66 Road Fest in Tulsa is shaping up to be an epic celebration. We participated in 2024 and 2025. But this year I will have the distinct honor of sharing the stage with award winning author Michael Wallis.

His book, Route 66: The Mother Road, published in 1990 is a cornerstone of the Route 66 reniassance. He also provided the voice for the sherriff in the movie Cars.

I will also be on stage with Joe Sonderman, a legend in the Route 66 community known for his books and presentations. And I am scheduled to be on stage with Joey Madia. Madia is an author, podcaster and historic reenactor. With painstaking attention to detail he is bringing Cyrus Avery to life for the festival as well as schools and programs throughout the country.

The To Do List

Meanwhile at Jim Hinckley’s America, we have quite the to do list. Sometimes that list feels like the 12 Labors of Hercules. But we never worry about being plagued with boredom!

Topping the list is getting Coffee With Jim, our weekly podcast, back on an even footing. When Podbean announced suspension of live stream programs, we began a quest that is still ongoing.

It is a bit rough around the edges and lacks the illusion of professionalism that I prefer, but for now the Jim Hinckley’s America YouTube channel is the new home for Coffee With Jim. The scheduled guest for Sunday, May 17, is Travis of Township & Range. We will be talking about his latest album, Sixty Six, and the inspiration behind the music.

Pondering and Wandering

The debacle induced by Podbean’s changes has sparked some ponderings. And those have been the fuel for thoughts on the morning wanderings.

Where is Jim Hinckley’s America going? I am always game to learn something new. But is it worth the investment of time needed to get the podcast back on track? Could the time be better used to develop video for the YouTube channel? Or will developing a new and improved version of Coffee With Jim add value to the YouTube channel?

But the biggest question is also the most important one. What can I do with Jim Hinckley’s America to better serve our audience and community of folks passionate about the great American road trip?

Would you care to share thoughts and ideas?