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Route 66 was one of the United State's first continuous stretches of paved highway, and served as a major path for those who migrated west.
"The Mother Road" was established on November 11, 1926, and ultimately stretched 2,448 miles from Chicago to Los Angeles.
Most travelers seem to start their journey on Route 66 in Chicago, and head westbound. That is the direction we take on this website.
The beginning point of Route 66 in Chicago has changed over the years. Today, the starting point is at East Adams Street at South Michigan Avenue, and the end point is at East Jackson at South Michigan. One way streets in the area can be difficult to navigate for first-time Route 66 visitors!
Once outside the metropolitan Chicago area, Route 66 followed the Pontiac Trail, a former Indian trail and stagecoach road.
From its beginning in Chicago, Route 66 headed southwest to Romeoville, Joliet, Pontiac, Bloomington and Lincoln.
The City of Lincoln is the county seat of Logan County, Illinois. First settled in the 1830s, it is the only city in the United States that was named for Abraham Lincoln before he became president. Lincoln practiced law there from 1847 to 1859. It has a population of over 13,000 residents.
Lincoln was located directly on U.S. Route 66 from 1926 through 1978. Today, it lies along Interstate I-55. It is about 170 miles southwest of Chicago, and 130 miles north of St. Louis, Missouri.
Map showing the approximate route of U.S. Highway 66 in Illinois and the location of Lincoln
Lincoln Heritage MuseumThe Lincoln Heritage Museum has a vast collection and Immersion Tour which allows guests to travel back in time with Abraham Lincoln. It includes rare items like Abraham Lincoln's law books, furniture from the Lincoln home, Mary Todd's jewelry, and much more. For more information, visit the website of Lincoln Heritage Museum |
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The Mill Museum on Route 66The Mill was opened in 1929 in Lincoln, Illinois as The Blue Mill, on what was first known as Route 4 (old Route 66). The construction of the building was Dutch-themed, and painted white with blue trim and featured a revolving windmill that lit up. Many people know it as the “Home of the Schnitzel”. It is located at 738 S. Washington Street in Lincoln. For more information, phone 217.735.1218 or visit the website of The Mill Museum on Route 66 |
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Route 66 visitors will enjoy seeing this newly painted mural in 2024 from the Walldogs. It is located downtown Lincoln at the park, which has a Flyway pollinator garden. |
Railsplitter Covered WagonThe Railsplitter Covered Wagon honors Abraham Lincoln in the only town named for him before he became president. It holds the Guinness World Record as the world's largest covered wagon. A statue of Abe Lincoln reading a law book sits in the huge wooden wagon, which stands 24 feet tall. It is located at 1750 5th Street, facing Route 66, in Lincoln IL 62656. |
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Logan County Visitor Center & Historic Train DepotThe Logan County Tourism Bureau/Visitor Center is positioned in Downtown Lincoln at the Historic Train Depot. The Depot was built in 1911 by the Chicago and Alton Railroad. It acted as a train station until most of the building was closed to the public in 1972. The depot is now lovingly restored and back in public use. The Lincoln Depot train station is located in the connecting building to the Visitor Center and is remains an active stop for Amtrak travelers. It is located 101 North Chicago Street, Lincoln IL 62656 For more information, visit the website of Logan County Visitor Center And while in Lincoln, be sure to check out City Hall, built in 1895. It has a telephone booth on the roof used by weather spotters to phone in oncoming storms. Before the days of weather radar! City Hall is located at 700 Broadway Street downtown. |
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Logan County Tourism Bureau![]() |
Historic Train Depot![]() |
Logan County Courthouse![]() |
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Postville Courthouse State Historic Site ![]() |
Lincoln City Hall Phone booth on roof! ![]() |
Hotels in Lincoln with traveler reviews at TripAdvisor Lincoln restaurant reviews at TripAdvisor Attractions and Things to Do in Lincoln |
More Information about Lincoln & Illinois Route 66 |
Lincoln - Logan County Tourism Bureau
City of Lincoln, Illinois website
Lincoln, Illinois Weather at WeatherUnderground
Lincoln Travel Guide at TripAdvisor: Hotels, restaurants, things to do
Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway
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