Texas neighborhood revives Route 66 roots

In Amarillo, Texas, David Rosas and Teresa Kenedy are working to revitalize the historic Mexican American Barrio along Route 66.

Rosas walks the streets of his childhood, recalling a close-knit community where families and neighbors supported one another. His grandfather helped build a neighborhood hall in the 1930s, a space for dances and celebrations, while his father became a civil rights activist and a source of guidance for those navigating city services.

The Barrio originated in the late 19th century when Mexican railroad workers and their families settled near the Santa Fe Railway. Though segregation limited their integration into wider Amarillo, they created a self-sufficient community. Like many towns along Route 66, the Barrio experienced population shifts as the economy changed, but residents now seek to preserve its sense of belonging.

Kenedy, who grew up in a different state and later became a social worker, joined the effort after retiring and committing to volunteer work in the Barrio. She led a project to document the neighborhood’s history through interviews, resulting in a book and a historical map that informed a revitalization plan. Together, Rosas and Kenedy secured $6.1 million to add sidewalks, streetlights, and other improvements to 10th Avenue.

They are currently developing La Plazita, a community park intended to become a new gathering place for residents and a continuation of the Barrio’s traditions.