Route 66 in Illinois from Arcadia Publishing

Route 66 in Illinois from Arcadia Publishing

Arcadia Publishing

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Route 66 goes through the heart of Illinois: between the great cities of Chicago and St. Louis, there are 300 miles of adventure, history, culinary delights, and quirky attractions.


This is the "Land of Lincoln" and roadside giants. There are cozy motels, cozy diners, and Cozy Dogs. Interstate 55 will speed travelers to their destination, but Route 66 offers something more. It goes through the hearts of the towns, wandering onto old brick pavement far from the roar of the interstate. Historic restaurants like Lou Mitchell's in Chicago, the Palms Grill in Atlanta, and the Ariston Cafe in Litchfield still keep their coffee pots warm. Waitresses, pump jockeys, gangsters, cops, and politicians all gave the "Main Street of America" its distinctive personality, and their stories are within these pages. So slow down, take the next exit, and head toward the beckoning neon in the distance. Come explore Route 66 in Illinois - where the road began.

 

Joe Sonderman penned books on all of the other Route 66 states and other works on the signs and lore of the road before turning to the Golden State. His collection of vintage postcards is combined with photographs from highway departments, some modern images, and archival sources to capture the mom-and-pop motels, diners, juke joints, gas stations, restaurants, and roadside attractions that the dreamers sought. Many have never been published before. A special effort was made to research the stories and the people behind the scenery--and the dream.
Cheryl Eichar Jett, a freelance writer and historian, is a lifelong resident of Illinois. She holds a master's degree in history. Follow the stories of Easton, Lovejoy, the developers and the politicians, the entrepreneurs and the workers, and the famous and the infamous through vintage images from Madison County Historical Society, Hayner Public Library, the Telegraph, and other collections.

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