Edgewood History Comes Alive: Local Historian to Reveal “Hidden Gems” for Route 66 Centennial

EDGEWOOD – As part of the ongoing Route 66 Centennial celebration, the Town of Edgewood invites the public to a special journey through time. On Saturday, March 21, 2026, local historian and former Town of Edgewood Parks and Recreation Director Roger Holden will host a captivating slide show and video presentation titled “Discover Edgewood: People, Places & Landmarks.”

The event, which is free to the community, will take place from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at the Edgewood Town Hall.

A Journey Through Hidden History

Holden, a long-time advocate for the preservation of the “Mother Road,” will share fascinating stories and visual archives that bring Edgewood’s colorful past to life. Attendees can expect a deep dive into the landmarks that shaped the region, including:

• The Mysterious Edgewood Caverns: Learn about the 128-foot-deep subterranean discovery made by a water-well driller in 1970 that reveals 260 million-year-old fossils.
• The “Long-Lost” Town of Venus: Discover the origins of Edgewood back when it was known as “Venus” in the 1920s, before it was renamed and eventually funneled into the path of the 1937 Route 66 alignment.
• Historic Engineering: Explore the history of the Huston Bridge over Bachelor Draw and the Route 66 Bypass, critical pieces of infrastructure that moved travelers through the high-desert terrain.

Celebrating 100 Years of the Mother Road

This presentation is a cornerstone of Edgewood’s 2026 Centennial Series, marking 100 years since the inception of US Highway 66. For Edgewood, the anniversary is particularly significant; the town’s prosperity was largely built on the “Santa Fe Cut-off,” which shortened the road and brought travelers directly through the heart of the community.

“There is so much more to Edgewood than what you see from the interstate,” says the event organizers. “This is a chance to see the ‘hidden’ side of our town—the stories of the founding families, the old trading posts, and the unique geology beneath our feet.”

Event Details

• What: Discover Edgewood with Guest Speaker Roger Holden
• When: Saturday, March 21, 2026 | 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
• Where: Edgewood Town Hall, 171A NM-344, Edgewood, NM 87015
• Cost: FREE and open to the public

For more information on the Route 66 Centennial Series and upcoming events, visit the official town website at www.edgewood-nm.gov/parks-recreation/page/route-66-events.