VISIT EXCITING ROUTE 66 IN ILLINOIS
All attractions are free!
"PROJECTS OF THE ROUTE 66 OF ILLINOIS PRESERVATION COMMITTEE VOLUNTEERS"
Under the leadership of
The Route 66 of Illinois Hall of Fame
and The National Route 66 Federation
John Steinbeck Award winners
John and Lenore Weiss of Wilmington, Illinois
"Traveling the NEW Historic Route 66 in Illinois"
the only guide devoted to Route 66 in Illinois
For information on how to order...
just click on the book cover below. (Printable order form available.)
All photographs provided by Kathy Miller, Carl Johnson, Ollie Swallenstecker and the route 66 association of Illinois
a special thank you to John & Lenore Weiss for their assistance with this project!
Gardner, Illinois
1. Streetcar/Diner - Original horse drawn streetcar was once a diner on Route 66.
Currently being restored. Located behind the historic Riviera Roadhouse.
Odell, Illinois
2. Odell Filling Station (1932) On the National Register of Historic Places.
Restored a great photo opportunity. This filling station was the first recipient of
the Cyrus Avery Award.
Pontiac, Illinois
3. Cayuga Barn - Restored example of early highway advertising of Meramac Caverns
Pontiac, Illinois
4. Route 4 Bridge - The Route 4 Bridge is preserved. Declared "A RARE FIND".
The bridge predates Route 66. Soon to be developed as a tourist attraction.
Atlanta, Illinois
5. Bunyon Giant - One of three giants on Route 66 in Illinois.
Originally located in Cicero, Illinois on Route 66.
The Bunyon Giant was restored and moved to the new location in 2003.
The other two giants to watch for are located in Wilmington, Illinois,
and in Springfield, Illinois.
Broadwell, Illinois
6. Pig Hip Restaurant - Restored as a museum in 2003.
The mini museum contains many interesting highway artifacts.
Auburn, Illinois
7. Red Brick Road "Preserved." This red brick road is on
the National Register of Historic Places.
Pristine piece of hand laid bricks.
Hamel Barn
8. Hamel Barn - Restored. The barn is an example of early highway
advertising of Meramac Caverns.
Across I-55 from the historic St. Paul Church with the neon blue cross.
Located in the HAMEL AREA
Route 66 projects by other individuals, groups and towns who are
working to preserve special sites
supported by the route 66 association of Illinois preservation committee
Wilmington, Illinois
1. EAGLE HOTEL - Under restoration - Built in 1836 and 1845.
Should reopen in 2004 or 2005.
GARDNER, ILLINOIS
2. TWO CELL JAIL (1906) Preserved by the community.
Dwight, Illinois
3. AMBLER-BECKER TEXACO - A project of the community currently under construction.
Lexington, Illinois
4. MEMORY LANE - A nostalgic journey on an original piece of Route 66.
Memory Lane is an on going community project.
Towanda, Illinois
5. ROUTE 66 - A GEOGRAPHIC JOURNEY -
High school teacher, Fred Walk was honored by State Farm Insurance as Teacher of the Year.
Along with his students is developing a one-mile piece of road.
This is a very interesting history lesson.
Atlanta, Illinois
6. MURALS AND MORE – New home of the Bunyon Giant.
Route 66 Park and town. A community project
Sherman, Illinois
7. A short piece of Route 66 on the National Register of Historic.
Mount Olive, Illinois
8. SOULSBY SHELL - A restored early example of a gas station.
The gas station is a project of the Mount Olive community and the Soulsby Society.
With support from The Route 66 Association of Illinois Preservation Committee.
