Route 66 and the Birth of America’s Road Trip Era | Hall Automotive 100 Years in Wisconsin

Hall Automotive: This Week in 1926 — The Birth of Route 66 and America’s American Road Trip Tradition

As Hall Automotive celebrates 100 years serving Wisconsin drivers, we are reflecting on the historic moments that helped shape both America and the automotive industry during the same year our company began as a Chevrolet dealership in 1926.

The first week of June 1926 marked a pivotal period in American automotive history. The nation embraced innovation, mobility, and adventure as highways expanded across the country and automobiles transformed how families lived, worked, and traveled. What began during the early days of the automobile helped establish the road trip culture that remains a cornerstone of American life today.

From the earliest highways of the 1920s to today’s advanced Mazda and Volkswagen vehicles, the automotive industry has always been driven by freedom, exploration, and connection. At Hall Automotive, we continue that tradition by serving drivers throughout Brookfield, Milwaukee, Waukesha County, and Southeastern Wisconsin.

Automotive History in 1926: The Birth of Historic Route 66

One of the most significant developments in automotive and transportation history occurred during the summer of 1926 when U.S. Route 66 became part of the newly established United States Numbered Highway System.

Stretching from Chicago to Los Angeles, Route 66 connected hundreds of communities across eight states and quickly became one of the most famous roads in America. Eventually earning the nickname “The Mother Road,” Route 66 symbolized freedom, opportunity, migration, tourism, and the emerging American road trip experience.

The creation of Route 66 helped fuel economic growth throughout the Midwest and Southwest. Improved highways allowed families to travel greater distances, businesses to reach new customers, and communities to attract visitors. As automobile ownership increased during the 1920s, reliable road infrastructure became essential to everyday life.

For automotive dealerships and service providers, including Hall Automotive in Wisconsin, the expansion of America’s highway network helped create new opportunities to serve a growing population of drivers.

As Hall Automotive opened its doors in 1926, America was simultaneously building the transportation system that would shape generations of travel and commerce.

The Roaring Twenties: Music, Radio, and a More Connected America

The first week of June 1926 also reflected the energy and optimism of the Roaring Twenties, a decade characterized by technological innovation, economic growth, and cultural transformation.

Jazz music surged in popularity as legendary performers such as Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington helped define a new era of American entertainment. Dance halls, theaters, and live music venues flourished across the country, creating vibrant social experiences in cities and small towns alike.

At the same time, radio ownership expanded rapidly. For many Americans, radio became the primary source of news, sports, music, and entertainment. Families gathered around their radios much like modern households gather around streaming platforms, smartphones, and digital media today.

Together, affordable automobiles, expanding highway systems, and growing access to entertainment transformed daily life. Americans could travel farther, stay informed, and experience new destinations in ways that had never before been possible.

Hall Automotive’s Wisconsin Legacy: A Century of Serving Drivers

Nearly 100 years later, the spirit of exploration that defined 1926 remains alive and well.

Whether families are planning a Wisconsin road trip, commuting throughout the Milwaukee area, purchasing a new vehicle, or simply enjoying a scenic drive, the sense of freedom that automobiles provide continues to connect generations of drivers.

As Hall Automotive celebrates its 100th anniversary in Wisconsin, we proudly honor a legacy that began with a Chevrolet dealership in 1926 and has grown into a trusted automotive organization serving communities throughout Southeastern Wisconsin.

Today, Hall Automotive includes:

• Hall Volkswagen
• Hall Mazda of Brookfield
• Hall Auto Body Shop Center
• Hall Collision Center

For a century, we have remained committed to delivering exceptional customer service, automotive expertise, vehicle maintenance, collision repair, and quality vehicles to drivers across Brookfield, Milwaukee, Waukesha County, and Southeastern Wisconsin.

Celebrating 100 Years of Automotive Excellence

As part of our centennial celebration, we continue reflecting on the innovations, milestones, and historic events that shaped both the automotive industry and the communities we proudly serve.

From the birth of Route 66 and the expansion of America’s highway system to today’s advanced vehicles and evolving transportation technologies, the journey continues—and Hall Automotive is honored to be part of Wisconsin’s automotive story.

Hall Automotive — Serving Wisconsin Drivers Since 1926