Atlanta in Logan County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Wheels of Fortune on 66
Business Followed the Highway
Photographed by Jason Voigt, September 28, 2020
1. Wheels of Fortune on 66 Marker
Atlanta boomed when Route 66 was built in the 1920s.
It didn't last. By 1947 the busy road was rebuilt to bypass town to the east. New businesses flourished on the bypass only to fail again when I-55 replaced the Mother Road in 1977. Recently, a rebirth of interest in historic Route 66 has pumped life back into Atlanta.
Waiting for the Greyhound Bus
As a stop for the Greyhound Bus Line, many journeys began and ended at the Palms Grill. Passengers flipped a switch to light the bottom of the neon sign alerting the bus driver to stop.
(photo captions:)
·Opening in 1934, the Palms Grill attracted travelers on Route 66. Downtown cafes and gas stations did more than serve highway travelers. They were places where townsfolk gathered to share gossip, negotiate deals, and fall in love.
·Opened around 1920, the Deep Rock Station on Arch Street was alive with customers when Route 66 traveled through downtown Atlanta.
·Businesses were abandoned when Route 66 bypassed downtown Atlanta in 1947.
Erected by Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles
this page online
Location. 40° 15.64′ N, 89° 13.916′ W. Marker is in Atlanta, Illinois, in Logan County. It can be reached from the intersection of South East Race Street and SW Arch Street. Marker is located at Atlanta's Route 66 Park, with several other markers. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 107 S E Race St, Atlanta IL 61723, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Central Illinois and in Greater Springfield. 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 walking distance of this marker: "Bubbler" Drinking Fountain (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Field Marker Stone (here, next to this marker); Being the First: African-Americans in Atlanta (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Knights of Pythias "Memorial Tree" Stone (a few steps from this marker); 1870 Public School Stone (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Atlanta High School Cornerstone (a few steps from this marker); Midway on Illinois's Mother Road Mural (a few steps from this marker); "Palms Grill Cafι" Mural (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Atlanta.
Other markers no longer nearby. Drinking Fountain (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Field Marker Stone
Photographed by Jason Voigt, September 28, 2020
2. Wheels of Fortune on 66 Marker
Next to the Drinking Fountain marker
More about this marker. This is one of 30+ Wayside Exhibits erected by the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway along Old Route 66 in Illinois. Each wayside was placed at a site with historic significance and tells the story of the sites relationship to Route 66. The interpretive stations use illustrations, pictures, and audio to explore each site.
Some have a passport stamp that can be collected by simply placing a piece of paper over the raised engraving and using a pencil to make a rubbing of
Photographed by Jason Voigt, September 28, 2020
3. Route 66 Park
Marker is located here, along with several local pieces of history.
This is one of two Wayside Exhibits originally placed in Atlanta.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 14, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 568 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 14, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. 3. submitted on November 25, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.
