Odell to Towanda, Illinois - Small Town Charm on Route 66

Odell to Towanda, Illinois on Route 66

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For those looking for a bite to eat, check out the old Log Cabin Café, which has been doing business in Pontiac since 1926. At 18700 Old Route 66, the building originally faced an older Route 66 alignment behind the building. When the alignment changed, the Café simply changed the door to the other side of the building in order to accommodate their customers.

In this area there are several old alignments and sections of the road that can be seen but no longer traveled. Closed bridges and overgrown asphalt abounds in the area.

Chenoa, Illinois

Old Log Cabin Cafe in Pontiac, Illinois,

September, 2004, Kathy Weiser.

As you continue to travel southwest, you’ll soon pass through the small town of Chenoa, Illinois. Getting its start in 1856, the town was the perfect spot as the Peoria and Oquawka Railroad and the Chicago and Mississippi Railroad intersected here. In addition to the railroads, Route 66 and U.S. 24 also intersected here, bringing many travelers through the small town. Today this sleepy village of about 1,800 souls sits quietly off of I-55, bypassed by speeding cars whose passengers are seemingly unaware of its existence.

In Chenoa, you can still see once bustling railroad depot that now stands in ruins testifying to better times in the city. In the small downtown area, check out the giant mural painted on the side of one of Chenoa's historic buildings by a local high school student.

The old depot in Chenoa, Illinois speaks of better times in this small city,

September, 2004, Kathy Weiser.

This mural in Chenoa, Illinois was painted by a high school student,

September, 2004, Kathy Weiser.

Lexington, Illinois

Just about ten miles further down the road finds you in one of Illinois’ oldest towns – Lexington, founded in 1928. Named after the Massachusetts battleground, the town was bustling during its Route 66 heydays, with nine gas stations and numerous eateries and motels. Though settled down now to a quiet small town, it continues to celebrate its heritage of the Mother Road with murals on its buildings and a walking trail called "Memory Lane.” This one mile stretch of pavement is an original section of Route 66 that has been preserved as a park, complete with billboards, Burma-Shave signs, and more.

Welcome to Lexington, Illinois, September, 2004,

Kathy Weiser.

While in Lexington, be sure to check out the historic Patton Cabin, built in June, 1829. Unusual to the westward settlement of America, the cabin was built with the help of the Kickapoo and Delaware Indians by the area's first settler John Patton. This historic building, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is located on north Cherry Street in P.J. Keller Park.

As you drive through Lexington you’ll catch glimpses of Route 66’ former glory at the Filling Station Café built in the 1940's and at the edge of town, an old abandoned Oasis Drive In, now in ruins.

The old Oasis Drive In in Lexington, Illinois,

September, 2004, Kathy Weiser.

Towanda, Illinois

Another nine miles down this old stretch of road you come to the small town of Towanda, home to less than 500 residents. When you first enter the town you'll see the remnants of Eddie's Pure Oil Truck Stop that opened in the late 1940's, but died when the Interstate bypassed this small town.

As you are leaving Towanda, keep your eyes open for an old vintage bridge alongside the road before traveling on down Route 66 to Normal and Bloomington, Illinois.

Remnants of old station in Towanda, Illinois,

September, 2004, Kathy Weiser.

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To Bloomington

Return to Route 66

To Dwight

From the Rocky Mountain General Store

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