Route 66 Association of Illinois

Where The Road Begins

08-Sangamon

Original Brick Road

Curran Road, Auburn, IL, United States

This beautiful 1.4 mile long piece of restored hand-laid brick road is a segment of 66 done in 1931 and placed over the concrete roadbed.

Paving with brick was actually completed after the realignment of Route 66 to the eastern routing that runs through Litchfield. This section of road was briefly reverted to Illinois SBI 4 until the current alignment of Illinois 4 took place in 1932. It is well maintained and in fantastic condition, a worthy location for a photo opportunity.

Williamsville Historical Museum

217 Elm Street, Williamsville, IL, United States

The Williamsville Historical Museum was constructed from two railroad boxcars and displays many historical artifacts of the town. It is located next to the Williamsville Public Library which is housed in the Williamsville Depot building.

http://www.williamsvillelibrary.org

The museum is open each Wednesday, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM.

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum

212 South 6th Street, Springfield, IL, United States

A museum unlike any other-enabling visitors to experience the entire Lincoln story for themselves, under one roof-in a modern television control room on Election Night, 1860, the Blue Room of the White House; an Indiana log cabin; Ford’s Theatre, etc.

Phone: (217) 558-8844

https://www.illinois.gov/alplm/Pages/default.aspx

9 AM - 5 PM MONDAY - FRIDAY
Open some weekends for exhibit viewing.

Illinois State Museum

502 South Spring Street, Springfield, IL, United States

The Illinois State Museum inspires discovery and caring about Illinois’ cultural and natural resources and heritage. The Museum’s extensive collections and research activities provide the foundation for exhibitions and public programs that tell the story of the land, life, people, and art of Illinois.

Permanent and changing exhibits on Illinois’s land, life, people and art. Hands on children’s discovery room. The museum store contains high quality crafts created by Illinois artisans.

Phone: (217) 782-7386

http://www.illinoisstatemuseum.org/

Mon-Sat: 9-4:30
Sun: 12-4:30

Joe Rogers Chili Parlor

820 South 9th Street, Springfield, IL, United States

Route 66 Supporter, Josh Friedrich,writes:

“Joe Rogers’ Chili Parlor is commonly referred to as The Den. A place so great they named it twice! Their chilli has been around for 60 years and is famous for the JR Special aka Firebrand Chili bowl. It has been featured on The Food Network and The Travel Channel, most recently on Man Vs. Food.”

Photo via http://www.joerogerschili.com/index.html

Phone: 217-523-4989

https://www.thechiliparloronline.com

11AM-4PM
Mon - Sat

Chatham Railroad Museum

100 North State Street, Chatham, IL, United States

The station is owned by the Village of Chatham and was restored by the Friends of the Depot in 1991. In 1999 the Chicago & Illinois Midland Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society signed an agreement with Chatham to re-restore the station and create the Chatham Railroad Museum. The museum will preserve the station and area railroad history for the benefit of the community.

Open Second and Fourth Sunday of the Month (except holidays)
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Open other times upon request.
Group Tours are welcome with advance notice.

Cozy Dog Drive Inn

Hall of Fame member, inducted 1991

2935 South 6th Street, Springfield, IL, United States

Home of the Cozy Dog (a delicious hot dog on a stick) that was created by proprietor Ed Waldmire Jr. in the 1940s.  The delicacy is still made daily by the Waldmire family – Monday through Saturday.

As you enjoy a cozy dog, you can check out the restaurant walls which are lined with Route 66 history.

Phone: (217) 525-1992

http://www.cozydogdrivein.com

Shea’s Gas Station Museum

2075 North Peoria Road, Springfield, IL, United States

The museum closed in 2013 after Bill Shea’s death, with contents auctioned off in 2015. Motorhead’s in Springfield has some of the contents and signage on display. The museum is currently partially open for visitors, although only the outside areas.