Running through the states of Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California, the highway became one of the most famous roads in America. For decades, this historic path served thousands who were migrating west. The "Show Me State" of Missouri not only has some of the most scenic views of the Mother Road, it also has dozens of vintage icons along the old highway, many of which can still be visited today. When Route 66 was built through the town, Carthage was soon proclaimed by its Chamber of Commerce as "The Open Gate to the Ozarks." In no time, all manner of services began to spring up to serve the many travelers of the Mother Road.