While many call the historic road itself a "living legend," the title is most famously bestowed upon Angel Delgadillo, a 97-year-old barber from Seligman, Arizona [20]. Known as the "Guardian Angel of Route 66," he is credited with spearheaded the movement to save the highway after it was bypassed by Interstate 40 in 1978 [20].
The Human Living Legend: Angel Delgadillo
Angel Delgadillo is often cited as the person who "put Route 66 back on the map" [20].
Role: Founder of the first Historic Route 66 Association (Arizona, 1987) [20].
Location: His famous barber shop in Seligman, Arizona, now serves as a visitor center and gift shop [20].
Legacy: He led the successful campaign to have Route 66 designated as a "Historic" highway, triggering preservation efforts in all eight states it traverses [20].
The Living Legends Tour (Springfield, IL)
In Springfield, Illinois, the term "Living Legends" refers to a specific self-guided tour of iconic entrepreneurs and landmarks that have kept the Mother Road's spirit alive for decades [17, 31].
Key Stops:
Cozy Dog Drive-In: Home of the original "crusty water dog" (corn dog) since 1949 [30, 22].
Maid-Rite Sandwich Shop: Features what is considered the first fast-food drive-thru window in America (built in 1921) [22].
Lauterbach Giant: A classic 15-foot "Muffler Man" statue standing since the road's heyday [22].
Iconic Landmarks & Merchandise
The "Living Legend" moniker is also a popular theme for travelers and collectors:
100th Anniversary: As Route 66 approaches its centennial in 2026, new tributes like Mark Williamson's book, 100 Years of Route 66: A Celebration of an American Icon, are being released to honour its legacy [5.1, 5.2].
Apparel: You can find commemorative "Route 66 Living Legend" vintage-style t-shirts from retailers like eBay to celebrate the road's endurance [18].
Oatman, Arizona: A "living legend" ghost town where wild burros roam the streets and the 1902 Oatman Hotel remains a top destination for those seeking the road's "Wild West" roots [24].