Near Pontiac in Livingston County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The Motor Police
Patrolling Bloody 66
Photographed By Jason Voigt, September 29, 2020
1. The Motor Police Marker
The Illinois State Police was formed in 1922 to protect motorists.
Twenty officers patrolled the state on surplus World War I Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Radio-equipped cycles revolutionized communications in the 1930s. The ISP shifted toward squad cars and ended motorcycle patrol in 1949.
Illinois Maintenance Police
Overweight trucks damaged the new hard roads. In 1921, the IMP was formed to protect roadways.
Resurrecting the Motor Patrol
In recent years the Illinois motorcycle patrol has made a comeback, mostly in cities. Motorcycles are agile for quick response and easily concealed for monitoring traffic. They also are familiar escorts for parades and presidents.
(photo captions:)
·An IMP motor patrolman weighs a truck using a "loadometer" in 1921.
·The Illinois State Police Motor Patrol gathered in Mt. Carmel in 1927.
Erected by Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Law Enforcement • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the U.S. Route 66 series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1922.
Location. 40° 51.058′ N, 88° 39.335′
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Protecting Travelers (within shouting distance of this marker); Citizenry Mourn Lincoln (approx. 2.2 miles away); Fell Leads The Way (approx. 2.2 miles away); Livingston County G. A. R. Civil War Memorial (approx. 2.2 miles away); Lincoln Slept Here (approx. 2.3 miles away); Riverbank Debate (approx. 2.3 miles away); Mill Stones (approx. 2.4 miles away); Lincoln Stranded Here (approx. 2.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pontiac.
More about this marker. This is one of nine Wayside Exhibits erected by Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway that has an interpretive statue next to it.
Also see . . . Illinois State Police Office (Pontiac). Wikipedia entry (Submitted on October 28, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)
Photographed By Jason Voigt, September 29, 2020
2. The Motor Police Marker
With its supplemental silhouette statue
Photographed By Jason Voigt, September 29, 2020
3. The Motor Police Marker
Marker and its statue are both outside the former Illinois State Police station, which was in use until 2003.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 10, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 28, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 283 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 28, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.
