Photos: Azusa unveils towering tribute to Route 66, plus new mural
Published January 22, 2026, 02:20 AM
Officials, local residents and fans of the historic highway got their kicks as the city of Azusa unveiled its Route 66 Centennial Monument on Tuesday, Jan. 20.
The newly unveiled mural and Route 66 Centennial Monument at the corner of Alameda and Foothill on Tuesday, January 20, 2026. (Photo by Miguel Vasconcellos, Contributing Photographer)
The Route 66 Centennial Monument was unveiled at the corner of Alameda and Foothill on Tuesday, January 20, 2026. (Photo by Miguel Vasconcellos, Contributing Photographer)
Artist Victor Ving poses for a photo in front of part of the newly unveiled mural he painted marking the Route 66 Centennial Monument at the corner of Alameda and Foothill on Tuesday, January 20, 2026. (Photo by Miguel Vasconcellos, Contributing Photographer)
In his last hours as the City of Azusaâs mayor, Robert Gonzales makes a few remarks before the Route 66 Centennial Monument unveiling at the corner of Foothill and Alameda on Tuesday, January 20, 2026. (Photo by Miguel Vasconcellos, Contributing Photographer)
In his last hours as the City of Azusaâs mayor, Robert Gonzales makes a few remarks before the Route 66 Centennial Monument unveiling at the corner of Foothill and Alameda on Tuesday, January 20, 2026. (Photo by Miguel Vasconcellos, Contributing Photographer)
Cupcakes available to attendees of the Route 66 Centennial Monument unveiling at the corner of Alameda and Foothill on Tuesday, January 20, 2026. (Photo by Miguel Vasconcellos, Contributing Photographer)
A City of Azusa staff member prepares the Route 66 Centennial Monument for its unveiling at the corner of Alameda and Foothill on Tuesday, January 20, 2026. (Photo by Miguel Vasconcellos, Contributing Photographer)
Mona Audio, left, Roxanne Cornejo and Azusa City Clerk Jeffrey Cornejo Jr. pose for a photo in front of the newly unveiled mural and Route 66 Centennial Monument at the corner of Alameda and Foothill on Tuesday, January 20, 2026. (Photo by Miguel Vasconcellos, Contributing Photographer)
Attendees gather for the City of Azusaâs Route 66 Centennial Monument unveiling at the corner of Foothill and Alameda on Tuesday, January 20, 2026. (Photo by Miguel Vasconcellos, Contributing Photographer)
City of Azusa Cultural Arts and Historical Commission members Yvonne Rosas Petty, left, Alessandra Lopes, and Laurie Wray pose for a photo in front of the newly unveiled mural marking the Route 66 Centennial Monument at the corner of Alameda and Foothill on Tuesday, January 20, 2026. (Photo by Miguel Vasconcellos, Contributing Photographer)
A City of Azusa staff member unveils the Route 66 Centennial Monument at the corner of Alameda and Foothill on Tuesday, January 20, 2026. (Photo by Miguel Vasconcellos, Contributing Photographer)
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The newly unveiled mural and Route 66 Centennial Monument at the corner of Alameda and Foothill on Tuesday, January 20, 2026. (Photo by Miguel Vasconcellos, Contributing Photographer)
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Marking the 100th anniversary of the famed roadway, the event included a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new Route 66-themed mural at the newly designated Route 66 Tribute Corner, at the corner of Foothill Boulevard and Alameda Avenue. Artist Victor Ving was on hand to help show off the new artwork.
Local dignitaries attended the event, including Robert Gonzales, speaking at one of the last activities he will oversee as his term as Azusaâs mayor nears its end.
The local effort is an official project of the US Route 66 Centennial Commission â and one in a series of monuments that are planned to rise all along the route, from Chicago to Santa Monica, officials said.
Azusaâs structure is the 17th installed so far. For more on the project: route66monuments.com.
