Route 66 Centennial Speaker Series: Why Turn Left at Albuquerque? Albuquerque, Route 66 and the Many Roads That Came Before

Other New Mexico towns overshadowed Albuquerque for most of its history. Transportation played an important role in bringing Albuquerque to the significant position it holds today in New Mexico. Starting with Francisco Coronado’s trek from Mexico, through Juan de Oñate establishing the Camino Real, to William Becknell opening the Santa Fe Trail, many routes led to the original Albuquerque we now call Old Town. Later the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad and Route 66 helped solidify Albuquerque’s importance. Presented by Abraham Santillanes. This is part of a rotating series of speakers that will offer presentations at these locations in 2026: Raymond Sanchez Community Center; Martha Liebert Public Library; Gutierrez-Hubbell House; International District Library; Isleta Pueblo Cultural Center; Los Lunas Multigenerational Center; Special Collections Library, East Mountain Library, Central and Unser Library, and the Wheels Museum. Find out more information here.