Towanda in McLean County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

End of the Journey

Photographed by Jason Voigt, September 29, 2020

1. End of the Journey Marker

Inscription. Your experience of this portion of Historic Route 66 is eight tenths of one mile of the 2448 miles stretching from Chicago, Illinois to Santa Monica, California. As the primary road connecting Chicago to the west coast, Route 66 was called the Main Street of America. It attracted entrepreneurs and allowed cities to develop around the road.

Route 66 was the main source of travel across the nation for many years, it provided an escape for the 'Okies' during the 1930s from the Dust Bowl region of the Great Plains. This road provided work for many during World War II. It also served as a getaway for those who loved to travel the United States. Because of its popularity and vitality it was referred to as the Mother Road of America. After the introduction of the interestate highway system, the road became less traveled and human activity along the road declined. Much of it was torn up or left for service roads.

Today's interstate highways are an improvement in traffic flow and movement of commerce compared to their predecessor, Route 66. This highway of the past, however, has a life of its own made up of the people and places that have comprised its history. You can still get your kicks on Route 66.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce

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• Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the U.S. Route 66 series list.

Location. 40° 33.518′ N, 88° 54.467′ W. Marker is in Towanda, Illinois, in McLean County. It is on Old U.S. 66 half a mile south of Monroe Street, on the right when traveling south. Marker is located off the Route 66 Bike Trail, next to Boyd Wesley Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Old U.S Route 66, Towanda IL 61776, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Illinois.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

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 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Fern's Cafe (approx. 0.4 miles away); Henderson's Standard (approx. half a mile away); Dead Man's Curve (approx. half a mile away); 1954 Route 66 Alignment (approx. 0.7 miles away); a different marker also named Dead Man's Curve (approx. 0.7 miles away); Pure Oil Truck Stop (approx. 0.7 miles away); 1926 Route 66 Alignment (approx. ¾ mile away); Bloomington Airport Former Site (approx. 4.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Towanda.

Also see . . . Route 66 Towanda. For over 20 years, the village of Towanda has helped restore memories and the actual Mother Road. You can read all about the history here. (Submitted on October 8, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)

Photographed by Jason Voigt, September 29, 2020

2. End of the Journey Marker

Marker is actually located off the Route 66 Bike Trail. In the background you can see parts of the old Route 66 road-bed.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 9, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 8, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 459 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 8, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.