Carlinville, Illinois

Carlinville, Illinois. Welcome to Route 66 Illinois. , Route 66, the Mother Road, is an American icon that symbolizes romance and freedom of the open road. Born in 1926, Route 66 was one of the first numbered U.S. highways, journeying 2,500 miles from Chicago to Los Angeles. Today, you can still "get your kicks on Route 66" by exploring the Illinois Historic Route 66 National Scenic Byway., The Mother Road, Route 66 was the road of flight for people escaping the Dust Bowl in the 1930s. It was the route of adventure for families seeking the wonders of the Southwest and California in the 1950s and '60s., Roadside Oddities, Quirky attractions lured travelers off the road with the promise of fun and adventure. Explore giants, museums, and other attractions that still exist today., Fill 'er Up?, Service stations along Route 66 did more than just pump gas. Friendly attendants assisted travelers with a smile. Today, you can rediscover several historic service stations. , On to Missouri, The Old Chain of Rocks Bridge is the scenic endpoint of Route 66 in Illinois. It served as a crossing over the Mississippi River for traffic from 1936 to 1955. It is now open for walking and biking. , The Beginning , Historic Route 66 starts in downtown Chicago, the business and cultural capital of the Midwest. It travels through bustling Chicago suburbs before reaching the rural countryside., Main Street of America, Grain elevators and fields greet modern travelers, much as they did in earlier eras. Journey through prairie farmland and friendly Midwestern towns., Good Eatin', Diners and cafes sprang up along the road catering to people on the move. You can still enjoy home style cooking from a time before fast food. , Route 66 Lives On, Unable to compete with fast-moving freeways, U.S. Route 66 was decommissioned in 1985. Nostalgia for hometowns and America's landscape, fueled by movies, TV shows, and music, keeps the Mother Road alive. , (reverse, top:), Route 66 Attractions in the Carlinville Region, 1. Auburn Historic Brick Road - Drive this scenic 1.5 mile section of brick pavement, laid in 1932 after Route 66 was moved to the east., 2. Battle of Virden Memorial - Visit the Route 66 wayside exhibit and listen as a local historian brings this 1898 conflict between miners and coal companies to life., 3. Post Office Mural - Stop by the Virden post office to view a mural called "Illinois Pastoral" painted in 1939 by James Daugherty., 4. Whirl-a-Whip Drive-In - This classic family-own 1950s diner offers lunch and 50 flavors of ice cream., 5. Doc's Soda Fountain and Deck's Drug Store - Enjoy lunch and old fashioned treats, while exploring an 1884 drug store owned by three generations of the Deck Family., 6. Nilwood Turkey Tracks - When this concrete was poured prior to its 1926 Route 66 designation, turkeys left their footprints., 7. Standard Edition: Sears Catalog Homes - The largest collection of Sears Catalog Homes in the country, these were built in 1918 by the Standard Oil Company for its mine workers., 8. Historic Carlinville Square - Explore historic buildings in the Carlinville Square, like the 1870 Loomis House. A Route 66 wayside exhibit shows photos of the square over time and plays a song that celebrates the city., 9. Macoupin County Courthouse - This historic 1970 building is one of the largest and most elegant courthouses in the country. Known as the " Million Dollar Courthouse," it took 40 years to pay it off., 10. Macoupin County Historic Jail - Built in 1869, this fortress-like jail was built with cannonballs embedded into its walls to prevent jail breaks. It operated until 1988, and at one time held 33 prisoners. , 11. Deerfield Drive Historic Bridge - Step back in time and walk over original curving Route 66 pavement and a 1920 concrete bridge., 12. Post Office Mural - Stop by the Gillespie post office to a view a mural called "Illinois Farm" painted in 1936 by Gustaf Dalstrom., (reverse, bottom:), Historical Treasure Trove - Route 66 In Carlinville, Carlinville is rich in history and architectural treasures. You are standing a few blocks north of the only round-about square on old Route 66. Nearby, see the historic Loomis House Hotel, the "Million Dollar" Courthouse, and the old "cannonball" jail. Northeast of here, visit the world's largest collection of Sears Catalog homes., "Million Dollar" Courthouse, The Macoupin County Courthouse began as a $50,000 project in 1867. By the time it was completed in 1870, the cost had soared to over $1.3 million and it became one of the largest courthouses in the country. It took over 40 years for the county to pay it off., Loomis House/St. George Hotel, This three-story, 50 room hotel was the height of elegance when built in 1870. Today, the building has been remarkably preserved and is home to several businesses., Sears Catalog Homes, Carlinville has the largest collection of Sears Catalog homes in the world. They were built by the Standard Oil Company in 1917 for mine workers. Today 152 of the original 156 homes still stand. , Al Capone was here?, Route 66 traveled through Carlinville from 1926-1931 at the height of Prohibition. The infamous Ortic Inn was built on a farm a few miles south of here, and a large barn was rumored to store bootleg liquor. Local tales include secret visits by Al Capone and rum-runners driving the liquor from here to Chicago.