It is full of good period pictures backed by informative captions. The worlds largest covered wagon 1750 5th street, route 66 lincoln, illinois at 24 feet tall, the railsplitter covered wagon was recognized by the guinness book of world records. A guide to the history, sights, and destinations along the main street of america jim hinckley. Route 66 started out in illinois, a state that itself had nearly 150 sundown towns.
Route 66 in illinois images of america joe sonderman, cheryl eichar jett. After route 66 was realigned in 1930, this section briefly reverted to its state route 4 designation before being abandoned in a 1932 relocation of the state road. Americas longest small town by jim hinckley, is a photographic journey that travels from chicago, illinois to santa monica, california and serves as both a history of the iconic highway as well as a welcome update on the attractions and businesses that are still in operation and thriving such as local diners, fast food driveins and rustic steakhouses. Though much of the route has been replaced by i55, theres still plenty of twolane blacktop left to explore. Check out the route 66 towns in illinois learn all about their notable places, history, attractions. Along our travels of the historic mother road, weve bumped into a fair share of haunted hotels, ghosts lurking in restaurants, and few that just seem to like to take a leisurely walk down old route 66. Literature, history, anthropology, womens studies, books on tattoos and more. Save and order both traveling the historic three book and dvd. Route 66, known as the mother road, is the most famous highway in the world. Detailed 2 week route 66 itinerary plan the ultimate. Books that honor a part of american history and serve as educational tools or travel guides for route 66. Chicago rare book center 703 washington street, evanston, il 60202. Route 66 books, images of america binding paperback buy ad amazon.
Route 66 in illinois images of america and millions of other books are available for amazon kindle. Guided 66 tour book david knudson, national historic route 66 federation route 66. The authors are joe sonderman and cheryl eichar jett, two renowned historians and authors of route 66 books. Auburn, illinois home of brick 66 legends of america. Route 66 defined a remarkable era in our nations history and it lives on today in illinois route 66 s many roadside attractions, museums, restaurants and the shining ribbon of blacktop we call the mother road. As route 66 doesnt appear on modern maps anymore, one needs a good description before heading out on the old 2lane highway. Route 66 is widely recognized around the world as an icon of 20 thcentury america, emphasizing personal mobility and pursuit of the american dream. Route 66 and the historic negro motorist green book. The route 66 visitors center inside the joliet area historical museum was fun and memorable. It sits in the front lawn of the best western lincoln inn and features abraham lincoln reading a book. Click here for a history of route 66 in missouri links.
Most older folks have stories to tell about this beloved road. This book also includes colorful photos and strategic trip ideas, so you can fully explore the history. Springfield, the capital city of illinois is also on route 66, and ranks 5thin il. Route 66 visitors guide illinois route 66 scenic byway. Joliet is the second largest city along route 66 in illinois with 147,433 inhabitants it ranks 4th in illinois.
Dozens of small towns across the state play up their route 66 connections, and most boast at least one true oldroad landmark. Springfield illinois, and its classic route 66 motels, signs and landmarks. It was recognized in popular culture by both the hit song get your kicks on route 66 and the route 66 television series, which aired on cbs from 1960 to 1964. John steinbeck, in 1939, proclaimed route 66 as the mother road in his classic novel the grapes of wrath. State by state route 66 highlights moon travel guides. The book captures the history of route 66 in illinois and is in the typical format of the images of america series. Route 66 crosses illinois from chicago on lake michigan to. Giant dinosaurs and spacemen, like the gemini giant in wilmington, il, worked well in the daytime, but nothing caught the attention of nighttime travelers better than a big, beautiful neon sign. Then you can start reading kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer no kindle device required.
In the books section, youll find a variety of books ranging from guidebooks youll wear out on the road on your next route 66 trip, to beautiful coffee table books that will inspire you and your guests into taking that route 66 trip of a. Read this detailed description of route 66 in illinois. The national park service route 66 corridor preservation program has awarded more than. Route 66 is part of american history now, and this guide is useful for those who wish to follow the old road in lieu of driving on the interstate highways that have replaced it. The book is divided into nine sections, corresponding to the journeys between stops by the average motorist. Historic route 66 was designated as an allamerican road and a national scenic byway in the state of illinois. When route 66 was at its peak, it was lined with diners, motels, and curio shops, and each was vying to get your car in its parking lot. This is a very nice book for those who are interested in what is was like to travel the mother road through illinois, way back when.
And this ends our long list of illinois landmarks, but there are plenty more, you can find a specific landmark in any of the states towns. Route 66 in illinois is a book by authors joe sonderman and cheryl eichar jett, published by arcadia publishing, released june 9, 2014. Route 66 us 66, route 66 was a united states numbered highway in illinois that connected st. Guide to historic route 66 in california vivian davies, darin kuna. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers. Historic route 66 turnbyturn description for illinois. Built in 1927, its the fifth bridge to cross the mississippi river and the perfect final selfie as you close the book on your illinois route 66 adventure. Information and history about route 66 conceived by cyrus avery of tulsa, ok and john woodruff of springfield, mo, route 66 became known as a superhighway. Route 66 is the ultimate american road trip and weve put together a comprehensive 2 week route 66 itinerary to help drivers navigate this historic route. The only real city along route 66 is the illinois state capital, springfield, which has preserved its sections of route 66 alongside a wealth of places connected to the namesake president here in the land of lincoln.
Route 66 postcard color book, available at legends general store. In john steinbeck s classic american novel, the grapes of wrath 1939, the road highway 66 symbolized escape and loss. Download the new 20192020 illinois route 66 visitors guide. Find out about the winding alignment of route 66 across the state of illinois, including the first 19261930 alignment from springfield to staunton and the multiple alignments across the mississippi river.
Route 66 changed immensely in the six decades between its opening in 1926 and its removal from the u. The definitive, fully illustrated statebystate atlas of the shifting alignments, historic sites, and current points of interest along the united states beloved route 66. You will find information on our one of a kind illinois route 66 tour guide. The mother road starts in the windy city and stretches through illinois to st. A books total score is based on multiple factors, including the number of people who have voted for it and how highly those voters ranked the book. In the books section, youll find a variety of books ranging from guidebooks youll wear out on the road on your next route 66 trip, to beautiful coffee table books that will inspire you and your guests into taking that route 66 trip of a lifetime.
A guide to the history, sights, and destinations along the main street of america. Route 66 in illinois images of america and millions of other books are. When the movie was made just a year later, it immortalized route 66 in the american consciousness. Your journey ends at the old chain of rocks bridge out of collinsville. Before moving to atlanta, tall paul, the muffler man with giant hot dog could be found in cicero, il. Since 1989, the route 66 association of illinois has been working to preserve and promote route 66 in illinois, including establishment of the route 66 association hall of fame. In 2005, the illinois stretch of route 66 received national scenic byway status.
Below we provide more information on us 66 in the neighborhood of lincoln. Route 66 is littered with legends and tales, some of which take on a ghostly nature. Find route 66 books to prepare your trip down route 66. Route 66, known by several names throughout the years including the mother road, main street of america, and the will rogers highway, this old highway served travelers for more than 50 years, before totally succumbing to the new and improved interstate system. Select the starting point and direction youd like to travel below.
Route 66 glides evenly and easily through illinois in a diagonal direction between. Illinois is home of various museums devoted to the history of us 66, such as the berwyn route 66 museum in. Visit one of the mother roads iconic route 66 museums and discover the history of this legendary highway. The detailed daybyday route 66 itinerary covers all the basic details mileage, general route and sightseeing highlights along the 2,400 mile route. Plan a trip to picturesque amish country in central illinois, where black buggies rule the road, teams of horses plow the fields and the locals greet you with a friendly wave. The first pace goes to chicago which is the 3rd most populous city in the us with 2,695,598 inhabitants. When i talk to people about the full history of route 66 and the green book, they. Travelers guide and roadside companion tom snyder travel route 66. The historic route 66, the mother road or main street of america, took long distance automobile travelers from chicago to southern california. An encyclopedia with a twist, the route 66 encyclopedia presents alphabetical entries on route 66 history, landmarks, personalities, and culture, from bobby troups anthem route 66 to the grapes of wrath to the wigwam motel, illustrated with over 1,000 old and new, color and blackandwhite photos and memorabilia. However, the experience of driving and working on the road was not the same for everyone. Get your kitsch on the illinois stretch of route 66. A guide to the history, sights, and destinations along the main street of.
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