Route 66 - what are the connotations associated with this term?

[Tanuki]

46. The Green Book included Rt 66 but did not originate there and did not "create a reason" for someone

to write a book about places to avoid. The "reason" was a reality in all 50 states (not to excuse any and all bigots inhabiting the towns along Rt 66), and the Green Book originally covered only the New York City area and gradually expanded. I'm glad you raised this important chapter in American history, but there is so much more to it. There is a digital archive of the contents and lots of info at the link below.

http://digitalcollections.nypl.org/collections/the-green-book#/?tab=about
"...[from the 1949 edition] With the introduction of this travel guide in 1936, it has been our idea to give the Negro traveler information that will keep him from running into difficulties, embarrassments and to make his trips more enjoyable. The Jewish press has long published information about places that are restricted and there are numerous publications that give the gentile whites all kinds of information. But during these long years of discrimination, before 1936 other guides have been published for the Negro, some are still published, but the majority have gone out of business for various reasons. In 1936 the Green Book was only a local publication for Metropolitan New York, the response for copies was so great it was turned into a national issue in 1937 to cover the United States. This guide while lacking in many respects was accepted by thousands of travelers. Through the courtesy of the United States Travel Bureau of which Mr. Chas. A. R. McDowell was the collaborator on Negro Affairs, more valuable information was secured. With the two working together, this guide contained the best ideas for the Negro traveler. Year after year it grew until 1941. "PM" one of New York's great white newspapers found out about it. Wrote an article about the guide and praised it highly. At the present time the guide contains 80 pages and lists numerous business places, including whites which cater to the Negro trade.
........ There will be a day sometime in the near future when this guide will not have to be published. That is when we as a race will have equal opportunities and privileges in the United States. It will be a great day for us to suspend this publication for then we can go wherever we please, and without embarrassment. But until that time comes we shall continue to publish this information for your convenience each year."

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You can see the establishments included in the Green Book this interactive map, and Rt. 66 was really only a minor part of it all.

http://library.sc.edu/digital/collections/greenbook.html