Towanda in McLean County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Dead Man's Curve
Photographed by Jason Voigt, February 16, 2026
1. Dead Man's Curve Marker
Dead Man's curve is directly down the road 400 feet north of this sign. It is along Old Route 4, the "Original 66" constructed in 1926, and has a sharp 90 degree curve. No more than 18 feet wide, this 2-way road was the site of many disastrous accidents and became a familiar sight to the patrolling District 6 Illinois State Highway Police, or the "Full Grown Bears," as they were jokingly called.
Many of these accidents were caused by travelers from Chicago unfamiliar with the road and used to fast speeds. A house located west of the curve was removed after a semi-trailer truck ran off the road, knocking the house off its foundation. Before this event, the homeowners had replaced the front porch on this house numerous times because of the damage from cars and trucks crashing into it.
Travelers stopped using the "Original 66" when the first two lanes of Historic Route 66, on which you are standing, were constructed in the early 1950s.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Law Enforcement • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the U.S. Route 66
this page online
Location. 40° 33.903′ N, 88° 54.135′ W. Marker is in Towanda, Illinois, in McLean County. It is on Old U.S. 66 near South Quincy Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 102 S Quincy St, Towanda IL 61776, 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 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Henderson's Standard (within shouting distance of this marker); Fern's Cafe (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); 1954 Route 66 Alignment (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Dead Man's Curve (approx. 0.2 miles away); Pure Oil Truck Stop (approx. 0.2 miles away); 1926 Route 66 Alignment (approx. Ό
Photographed by Jason Voigt, February 16, 2026
2. Dead Man's Curve Marker
More about this marker. A duplicate marker with alternative text is about 400 feet from this one.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 24, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 24, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 56 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 24, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.
