This is the portion of Old 66 that has the "Historical" signs posted on it. It also signed IL 53. On the northern portions of this route, it parellels the Des Plaines River. Then from Joliet south it runs along the UPRR.
Bolingbrook
From I-55, 66 follows Joliet Road. Then main attraction here is Whtie Fence Farm. They are famous for their chicken.
Romeoville
Recently, this route was re-surfaced, so it's a much smoother ride. This is also where 66 joins IL 53.
NB Rt 66 in Romeoville.
Lockport
U.S. 66 brushes the outskirtes of the western side of Lockport. Here, it passes Lewis University. Along with the National Weather Service office for Chicago.
Crest Hill
The main attraction to Crest Hill is Stateville Prison. This facility is located just off U.S. 66. Also, right near Statesville, is District 5, Illinois State Police.
Joliet
U.S. 66 passes through the scenic downtown area (called locally "City Centere"). 66 crosses one of many draw bridges at Downtown Joliet. There are many things to see here. Such as, the Rialto Square Theater, Union Station, Silver Cross Field, and the Will County Courthouse to name a few. Joliet has has launched a big campaign to promote the U.S. Rt. 66 tourism. There are five historical gas pumps located along U.S. 66 (4 downtown, 1 on Broadway). They are located at many historical points.
NB Rt 66 in Joliet on Broadway. A attraction sign at the park along Broadway between Ruby St. & Haunted Trails. A ice cream stand in the park along Broadway with the "Blues Brothers" on top. A great place to have a picture taken in the Rt 66 park on Broadway. Across from the park along Broadway is Dick's towing. A marker for the Joliet Iron Works Park. This is on NB IL 53 at the curve to go under the BNSF Railway and over the Des Plaines River. Along SB IL St Rt 53/U.S. Rt. 66 near the Joliet Junior College is a marker for the visitor center ahead. Union Station in Downtown Joliet. The Shell pump located in the Rt. 66 Park along Broadway. The Texaco pump located at the Rialto Square Theater. The Mobil pump located on Ottawa Street at the Joliet Historical Museum. The Sinclair pump is located on the northeast side of the Will County Courthouse. The Standard Oil pump is located at the intsersection of Chicago and Cass Streets. This is where the original alignments of U.S. Rt. 66 & the Lincoln Highway met.
Preston Hieghts
Not much here. Joliet wraps around this town. To the south of Preston Hieghts is the Chicagoland Speedway and Route 66 Raceway.
Looking NB on OLD 66 in Preston Hieghts.
Rural Elwood-Elwood
At Elwood there are two alignments of this highways.
Rt 66 passes through the old Joliet Arsenal, north of Wilmington. From near Elwood south to Wilmington, both sides of the highway are fenced off for the Arsnal property. In recent years, this area has been converted to a national cemetery, and the Midewin National Tall Grass Praire.
Wilmington
As you enter Wilmington, you pass the "Launching Pad". This is a American food resturant with excelent food. You can't miss it, the sign holder is a giant astronaut. Wilmington is know for their antiques. Many shops are located on Water Street (IL St Rt 102) just north of Rt. 66. What is interesting is most of thses shops kept the orginal store fronts. So you get a peak into the local history of Wilmington.
"Gemini Giant" at the Launching Pad in Wilmington. Various banners in Wilmington. What was a old watch store. The old drug store. This mileage sign replaced a old one that was posted when U.S. 66 ran down this road. IL St Rt 53 which uses the old road doesn't go to Dwight, but U.S. 66 did.
Braidwood
At Braidwood, there is another excelent resturant. The "Polk-a-Dot" is set in a 50's Drive-In.
Sign at the Polk-a-Dot. The "Polk-a-Dot" resturant in Braidwood.
Also at Braidwood, this route paralells a later alignment of Rt. 66.
Braceville
Braceville is a small town along Rt. 66. This is located just wst off the Grundy/Will County Line.
A sign in Braceville.
Rural Grundy County
Near the location of the old bridge over the UPRR Rail Spur on the north alignment, there is the "Riviera". This resutrant has been here scince the 1930's, and not much has changed. You eat in the basement of this old road house. The floors are painted and the walls...they are carpeted.
In June, 2010, the Riviera went up in flames.
A sign for the Riviera. Another "66 Roadside Attraction". The "Rivera" near Gardner.
The Riv after the fire. (June, 2010)
Gardner
At Gardner, this alingment forms the east and south sections of the loop around the town. As you pass through the town, you pass Gardner-South Wilmington High School. On the southside, the railroad over pass was closed for many years while IDOT review the need for it. Since then this one was replaced with a newer structure. One of the main attractions in this town is the old two celled jail. This was used til around the 1950's. It is located near downtown Gardner.
The jail. A mural in Downtown Gardner. Now IL 53 curves to the left, but stragiht ahead is where U.S. 66 headed south to Dwight. This bridge was recently constructed in the place of a old steel structure that was deemed un-fit for travel. Rt. 66 heading north on the southeast side of Gardner. NB Rt. 66 on the northeast side of Gardner. Rt. 66 curves to the right and Carbon Hill Road heads straight across the tracks.
