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Launching Pad Restaurant, Wilmington, Illinois.
"Gemini Giant". This is at least a 4 story spaceman. One of the few remaining tourist sites/landmarks from the original Route 66.
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Route 53, Northern Illinois.
In the background is an original road and bridge crossing a marshy riverbed in Illinois. This was from a section of Route 66 that was once a divided 4 lane highway. Now all the remains are the two Northbound lanes, transformed into a 2 lane highway. The Southbound lanes are unused through this region, leaving around 6 abandon bridge structures just like this one.
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Wilmington, Illinois.
End of Illinois Route 53. Historic Route 66 makes a turn here and heads towards the now existing Interstate 55. Route 53 heading northbound from here is marked as Historic 66 up to Joliet, Illinois.
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Wilmington, Illinois.
A town street sign. "Old 66" is a valid street name and mailing address in Wilmington.
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Route 53, Northern Illinois.
An original Route 66 gas station restored to display Route 66 antiques. This gas station is on what we now call a small-town side street. Ironically, it one time was on the largest U.S. Route.
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Northern Illinois.
These are what once were the Southbound lanes of the Route 66 4-lane divided highway which traversed much of Northern Illinois. The road still exists, but dirt/grass berms were created to prohibit vehicles from entering these lanes. In many areas, these are being transformed into greenways and pedestrian/bike paths.
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Northern Illinois.
Interstate 55 is essentially only a median away from the original 66. Interestingly, I-55 is actually the original Route 66 throughout much of Northern and Central Illinois. 2 of I-55's 4 lanes are actually 2 of the original lanes from the 4-lane divided highway U.S. 66. Then its frontage road is actually the other 2 original lanes from the 4-lane divided highway U.S. 66. Oddly, the remaining 2 lanes of I-55 are brand new construction.
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Northern Illinois.
Non-driveable original Route 66 bridge. This bridge is barely large enough to allow for one vehicle to cross. It is questionable about how much weight in can stand. These original bridges still exist just off of the historic Route 66. Extreme caution is recommended if driving this particular part of the route.
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