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Carlinville in Macoupin County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
 

Circling The Square

Route 66 in Carlinville

 
 
Circling The Square Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Jason Voigt, January 14, 2020
1. Circling The Square Marker
Inscription. The first hard road connecting Chicago and St. Louis passed through the heart of Carlinville. In 1926, Route 66 opened from Chicago to Los Angeles and followed Route 4 through Illinois. The “Mother Road” Circled the Carlinville Square until 1930, when it was rerouted and bypassed Carlinville to the east.

To Move or Stay?

The Ariston Restaurant opened on the Carlinville Square in 1924. Business boomed when Route 66 was routed through town. When the highway moved to Litchfield in 1929, the Ariston’s owner decided to follow.

Today, the Ariston is still open and serving Historic 66 travelers in Litchfield.

Carlinville Square Through the Years

1838-1869

The Macoupin County courthouse was originally built on the public square. It was here that Abraham Lincoln represented clients as a circuit court rider. The famous “million dollar courthouse” was built off the square in 1869 and is still in use today.

1913

In 1913, Carlinville was in transition from horse and buggy to the automobile. The Loomis House, a 50 room hotel and Carlinville landmark, was visible to the right of the square.

Late 1940s

The square in the late 1940s with a view of the courthouse.
 
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Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway.
 
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & CommerceRoads & VehiclesSettlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the U.S. Route 66 series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1926.
 
Location. 39° 16.801′ N, 89° 52.896′ W. Marker is in Carlinville, Illinois, in Macoupin County. Marker is at the intersection of North Side Square (Illinois Route 4/108) and North Broad Street (Illinois Route 4), on the left when traveling south on North Side Square. Marker is located in the north-central part of Carlinville Public Square. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 518 North Side Square, Carlinville IL 62626, United States of America. Touch for directions.
 
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Loomis House (within shouting distance of this marker); Abraham Lincoln (within shouting distance of this marker); Loomis House/Loehr's Drug Store (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of the Ariston Restaurant on the Original Route 66 (within shouting distance of this marker); Original Site of the Ariston Cafe, 1924 (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Abraham Lincoln (within shouting distance of this marker); Macoupin County Revolutionary War Memorial
Circling The Square Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Jason Voigt, January 14, 2020
2. Circling The Square Marker
In front of the public square and gazebo
(about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Abraham Lincoln Spoke Here (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Carlinville.
 
More about this marker. This is one of 31 wayside exhibit markers from the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway group.
 
Regarding Circling The Square. Carlinville is known to have the only Town Square on Illinois Route 66 that went completely around.
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on January 15, 2020. It was originally submitted on January 15, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 203 times since then and 7 times this year. Photos:   1, 2. submitted on January 15, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.

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Mar. 28, 2024