Towanda in McLean County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
1926 Route 66 Alignment
66 Roadside Attraction
Photographed By Jason Voigt, September 29, 2020
1. 1926 Route 66 Alignment Marker
You are standing on the pavement of the original Route 66 that was commissioned in 1926. The width of the original hard road was only 16' wide and constructed from Portland cement. The road immediately in front of you is the upgraded Route 66 known as the 1954 alignment. 3.5 miles of the original southbound lanes of this alignment have been preserved and converted into the linear Parkway. You can learn more about the Parkway by going to the flagpoles ahead of you. Dead Man's Curve is located directly to the right of you across the road. Interstate 55 behind you was constructed through the Towanda area in 1977.Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Route 66 Roadside Attractions, and the U.S. Route 66 series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1926.
Location. 40° 34.046′ N, 88° 53.934′ W. Marker is in Towanda, Illinois, in McLean County. Marker can be reached from North Jefferson Street west of Old U.S. 66. Marker is located off a short road across from the FS Fast Stop gas station. Touch for map.
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Pure Oil Truck Stop (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); 1954 Route 66 Alignment (about 500 feet away); Dead Man's Curve (approx. 0.2 miles away); Henderson's Standard (approx. 0.3 miles away); End of the Journey (approx. ¾ mile away); Bloomington Airport Former Site (approx. 4.8 miles away); Illinois Soldiers' and Sailors' Children's School (approx. 5.2 miles away); Normal, Illinois (approx. 5½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Towanda.
More about this marker. This marker (assuming it was by Hampton Hotels Save-a-Landmark program) replaced a marker with a different font. Pictures of it exist on the Internet.
Photographed By Jason Voigt, September 29, 2020
2. 1926 Route 66 Alignment Marker
Marker is located off of old Route 66 road-bed. I don't know if people are allowed to drive on it (except for the resident that lives off this road) but Route 66 enthusiasts are encouraged to walk on it.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 9, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 9, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 256 times since then and 63 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 9, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.
