Hamel in Madison County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Trucking Down 66 - Cassens Transport and Hamel

Tourist Haven Resaurant

Photographed by Mike Camero, circa September 1, 2014

1. Trucking Down 66 - Cassens Transport and Hamel Marker

Inscription. It Began with Four Cars

Cassens Transport began in 1931 when Albert and Arnold hauld four new cars from Detroit to their father George's dealership in Hamel. By 1941, Cassens had a fleet of 35 car transporters operating from its terminal next to the Tourist Haven Restaurant.

Photo Caption: A load of cars on "Old Number 1" transporter arrives in Hamel in September, 1933. Bedsheets protected the windshields from low-hanging branches.

Commercial trucking boomed on the roads in the 1920s and 30s. Trucking companies, truck stops, service garages, and a " Brotherhood of Teamsters" created a national road culture. Based originally in Hamel, Cassens Transport has hauled new automobiles to regional dealerships since 1931.

Tourist Haven Restaurant (across the street) - George Cassens (third from left) opened the Tourist Haven Restaurant next to his terminal in 1937 to serve Route 66 travelers and Cassens drivers. His wife, Louise, managed it. It has since been sold and operated under several names, which are displayed on the interior walls of this classic Route 66 roadhouse.

Memories of a Waitress - Anna Rode worked

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at the Tourist Haven Restaurant soon after it opened from 1938-1940. Press to hear Anna Rode describe her experiences working at the Tourist Haven.

www.illinoisroute66.org

Erected 2010 by Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the U.S. Route 66 series list. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1933.

Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. 38° 53.302′ N, 89° 50.74′ W. Marker is in Hamel, Illinois, in Madison County. It is on South Old Route 66 (Old Illinois Route 157) north of Broadway Street, on the left when traveling north. This marker, a Wayside Exhibit, is located on the northern edge of Hamel City Hall property. It is co-located with a small "Welcome to Hamel" billboard and is across the street (Old Route 66) from Weezy's (originally the Tourist Haven Restaurant). Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 111 S Old Rte 66, Hamel IL 62046, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater St. Louis.

Photographed by Mike Camero, circa September 1, 2014

2. Trucking Down 66 - Cassens Transport and Hamel Marker

Weezy's Restaurant is in the background on the right.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

in the Corn Belt,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies: Futuro House (approx. 6.6 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 7.2 miles away); Marine Chapter House (approx. 7.8 miles away); Greetings From Edwardsville, Illinois (approx. 7.9 miles away); America's Main Street Route 66 (approx. 7.9 miles away); In grateful memory of the early settlers (approx. 7.9 miles away); The Madison County Centennial Monument (approx. 7.9 miles away); In Memory of Dr. Thomas R. Yates (approx. 7.9 miles away).

Another marker is no longer nearby. Fort Russell (was approx. 7.9 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

More about this marker. The nonprofit group "Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway" has established 31 wayside exhibits along

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 6, 2025

3. Trucking Down 66 - Cassens Transport and Hamel Marker

Restored or replacement marker installed sometime after 2020.

Old Route 66 in Illinois. Each wayside was placed at a site with historic significance and tells the story of the site’s relationship to Route 66. The interpretive stations use illustrations, pictures, and audio to explore each site.

Each Wayside also has a passport stamp that can be collected by simply placing a piece of paper over the raised engraving and using a pencil to make a rubbing of the stamp.

The marker was replaced with an identical one sometime after 2020 when the previous one showed signs of wear.

Also see . . . Courtesty - Illinois Route 66 Org.:. (Submitted on October 6, 2014.)

Additional keywords. Mother Road

Truckin Down 66 - Cassens Transport and Hamel Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jason Voigt, July 7, 2023

4. Truckin Down 66 - Cassens Transport and Hamel Marker

a large Route 66 monument was installed in 2022 or 2023

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 6, 2025

5. Trucking Down 66 - Cassens Transport and Hamel Marker

Restored or replacement marker installed sometime after 2020.

Photographed by Jason Voigt, October 7, 2020

6. Truckin Down 66 - Cassens Transport and Hamel Marker

Marker has shown signs of wear.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 26, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 4, 2014, by Mike Camero of Edwardsville, Illinois. This page has been viewed 1,434 times since then and 63 times this year. Last updated on January 15, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 4, 2014, by Mike Camero of Edwardsville, Illinois. 3. submitted on April 25, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 4. submitted on July 8, 2023, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. 5. submitted on April 25, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 6. submitted on October 8, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.