Edwardsville in Madison County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Greetings From Edwardsville, Illinois
Route 66
Photographed by Jason Voigt, June 10, 2025
1. Greetings From Edwardsville, Illinois Marker
Route 66 winds through historic Edwardsville. This storied road inspired a wave of eager travelers who found cafes, shops and stops that served up local flavors, a place to rest, and fuel, tires and services. Many of these spots remain standing today.
Halley's Cash Market had a prime spot to serve travelers on Route 66.
From 1927 to 1970, this neighborhood grocery carried a selection of goods from ice cream to comic books, snacks and more, providing tourists a welcome respite from the road.
Route 66 attracted a fair share of celebrity sightings.
From the 1940s to '60s, movie stars were known to drive from Los Angeles to Chicago, often staying in homey places like the Lawder Tourist Home, which reportedly had at least one famous visitor before It became a private residence.
Did you know that the first pizza in Edwardsville was served at the Hi-Way Tavern & Cafι?
In 1952, "pizza pie" went on the menu and was enjoyed by local customers and Route 66 travelers, including carloads of Chicago Cubs fans headed for St. Louis Cardinals baseball games.
(aside:)
"Hi, I'm Hank. I live in Edwardsville at the West End Service Station (620 St. Louis Street), a fun place to learn about Route 66. Join me for a trip down the Mother Road as I share stories
this page online
Erected 2025 by City of Edwardsville, Enjoy Illinois and Great Rivers & Routes.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the U.S. Route 66 series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1927.
Location. 38° 48.694′ N, 89° 57.214′ W. Marker is in Edwardsville, Illinois, in Madison County. It is on East Vandalia Street (Illinois Route 143) west of Buchanan Street, on the right when traveling east. Marker is located at City Park, on the grounds of Edwardsville Public Library. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 209 E Vandalia St, Edwardsville IL 62025, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Greater St. Louis. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Lewis & Clark Corridor, in the Corn Belt, and in the Great River Road Region. 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: America's Main Street Route 66 (here, next to this marker); The Madison County Centennial Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); In Memory of Dr. Thomas R. Yates (within shouting distance of this marker); In grateful memory of the early settlers (within shouting distance of this marker); Cleaon Etzkorn Bandstand (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Site of Abraham Lincoln's Speech (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Madison County Poor Farm
Photographed by Jason Voigt, June 10, 2025
2. Greetings From Edwardsville, Illinois Marker
Marker is located outside Edwardsville Public Library at City Park.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 9, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 8, 2025, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 98 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 8, 2025, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. 2. submitted on August 9, 2025, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.
