Dwight, Illinois

Dwight, Illinois. Welcome to Route 66 Illinois. , (front:), 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 panel:), Route 66 Attractions in the Dwight Region, Dwight Wayside Exhibits, Visit all of the Route 66 wayside exhibits in Dwight to discover more about the Mother Road. , 1. Full Service on Route 66 - The Ambler-Becker Texaco Station was the longest operating service station on Route 66 from 1933 to 1999. Listen to Phil Becker describe his experiences., 2. Mom and Pop Motels - Discover the history of the Paulsen-Strufe Motel, a classic family operated motel along Route 66 from 1935 to 1994. , 3. Shifting Roadways - Take a walk at Lions Lake, originally a borrow pit dug to build the Route 66 Bypass, and discover how the roadway has changed alignments over time., 4. A Well Connected Bridge - Don't miss the historic architecture in downtown Dwight. Learn about the 1854 Dwight Depot and the Keeley Institute founded in 1879., 5. Dwight Windmill - Walk the Keeley Institute grounds of the Oughton Estate and visit the picturesque 5-story windmill built in 1896., 6. "Odell Subway" Tunnel - Explore the remnants of a 1937 tunnel built under busy Route 66 to allow safe crossing for schoolchildren., 7. Odell Standard Oil Gas Station - Stop and listen to the stories of this historic service station that operated on Route 66 from 1932 to 1975., 8. Cayuga "Meramec Caverns" Barn - Take a photo of this restored early highway advertising, which once lured cross-country travelers. , (reverse, bottom panel:), A Memorable Village - Route 66 in Dwight, "Dwight was the first traffic light south of Chicago," recall some old-timers. We may never know if that is true, but the Village of Dwight has always been a memorable stop on Route 66. Born in 1854 as a station along the Chicago and Alton railroad, it was designed around the depot instead of a town square. Enjoy numerous historic buildings that tell the story of trains, princes, the Keeley Cure, and the Mother Road. , Downtown Dwight, Just a few blocks east of here is historic downtown Dwight. Although bypassed by Route 66 to avoid congestion, the area is a treasure trove of architecture and is well worth a visit., A Royal Visit , Dwight's Pioneer Gothic Church was built in 1857. The Prince of Wales, future King Edward IV, visited Dwight and worshipped here in 1860., (photo captions:), · The 1891 Dwight Depot is an architectural gem that still serves as the central focus of downtown and houses the Dwight Historical Society Museum., · Visit the many buildings of the Keeley Institute and learn the legend of the first medical "cure for alcoholism.", · The 1905 First National Bank is the last remaining bank designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.