Get Your Kicks on Route 66

Get Your Kicks on Route 66. . , Known as the "Mother Road" and the "Main Street of America," Route 66 made its mark in history books, pop culture, and thousands of families' scrapbooks. , Route 66 was established in 1926 as one of the first roads in the United States Numbered Highway System. It kicked off in Chicago before winding its way out west to Santa Monica, California. Route 66 in Edwardsville was decommissioned in the mid-1950s, replaced with Bypass 66 until the 1960s when traffic was rerouted to the new four-lane Interstate Highway System., Gas, Food, Lodging , Along Route 66, drivers could find hotels, restaurants, and markets to grab a bite or get some sleep. Many of these buildings still stand today, such as the former Cathcart's Tourist Inn, which had been a bookshop and a bakery in recent years, and downtown's Rainbow Inn, now home to the iconic Stagger Inn Again restaurant. , The Roadside Stand , In the 1950 and 60s, A&W Root Beer was a must-visit on every Route 66 summer road trip. While the Edwardsville location no longer exists, you can enjoy a similar experience by heading to Northside Dairy Haven. Since 1961, this ice cream stand has served burgers, hot dogs, and fries with a side of nostalgia., West End Service Station , The little brick building at the corner of St. Louis and West streets in downtown Edwardsville was a pit stop and fuel-up spot for Route 66 travelers between 1927 and 1964. In 2023, it was reimagined as a Route 66 interpretive center, highlighting the history of the highway.