Springfield Township in Sangamon County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Route 66 Experience

The Illinois State Fairgrounds

Photographed by Jason Voigt, July 6, 2023

1. Route 66 Experience Marker

Inscription. Route 66 is the most famous road in the world and the Illinois portion of The Mother Road is no exception. The historic attractions, restaurants, museums, niche roadside stops, and the overall nostalgia of the road have been a part of making memories since the road was established in 1926. Its iconic status is enhanced by the unprecedented volume of music, books, films, and other art forms that depict it as the essence of America's highway culture.

What if its status was also enhanced by the creation of a micro version of Illinois Route 66? The Illinois State Fairgrounds Route 66 Experience will be a walking tour that will begin in Chicago and travel through the over 90 communities along The Mother Road until we reach the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge in Madison, Illinois.

Over the next 3-4 years, we will use the space in front of you located inside Gate 2 to provide a centrally located micro version of Illinois Route 66. A paved brick road will be lined with neon signs, replicas of giants and roadside attractions as well experience hubs to highlight the Illinois Route 66 communities and their history with the road.

Our plan is to bring Illinois Route 66 to the only Fairgrounds along The Mother Road. Today, we celebrate the past by living adventurously in the present - the Illinois State Fairgrounds Route

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66 Experience will represent the best of our diverse American culture and will allow you to experience everything our amazing road and the community's that preserve it, have to offer!

Erected by Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the U.S. Route 66 series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1926.

Location. 39° 49.952′ N, 89° 38.25′ W. Marker is in Springfield, Illinois, in Sangamon County. It is in Springfield Township. It can be reached from East Sangamon Avenue near North Peoria Road (Business Interstate 55). Marker is located at the permanent Route 66 Experience exhibition, on the Illinois State Fairgrounds. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 801 E Sangamon Ave, Springfield IL 62702, 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 walking distance of this marker: A. Lincoln Motel (a few steps from this marker); Chain of Rocks Motel (a few steps from this marker); The Coliseum (a few steps from this marker); Bel-Air Drive-In (a few steps from this marker); Giants on Route 66 in Illinois (within shouting distance of this marker); Route 66 Alignments in Springfield

Photographed by Jason Voigt, July 6, 2023

2. Route 66 Experience Marker

Marker is located at the permanent Route 66 Experience exhibit, located on the Illinois State Fairgrounds.

(within shouting distance of this marker); Chain of Rocks Bridge (within shouting distance of this marker); The Illinois State Fairgrounds Route 66 Experience (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Springfield.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 12, 2023, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 372 times since then and 48 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 12, 2023, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.