Sangamon Sun

The Illinois State Museum is collecting stories from individuals who experienced the Illinois leg of Route 66, in celebration of the historic highway’s 100th anniversary in 2026. U.S. Highway 66, known for its significance in American travel culture, operated as a federal highway from 1926 until its decommissioning in 1985.

Route 66 connected the Midwest to the Pacific Coast, beginning in Chicago and passing through rural America before ending in Los Angeles. The highway facilitated tourism and economic growth for small towns along its path. John Steinbeck's novel "The Grapes of Wrath" famously dubbed it the “Mother Road,” a term still used today.

The post-World War II era saw Route 66 become a cultural icon with increased automobile travel. Bobby Troup's song “Route 66,” inspired by a road trip on the highway, further cemented its place in popular culture.

In Illinois, Route 66 fostered tourism and economic development for many small communities such as Joliet, Odell, Bloomington, Lincoln, Springfield, Edwardsville, and East St. Louis. Numerous roadside attractions emerged to cater to travelers.

The Illinois State Museum aims to preserve these experiences for future generations. Judy Wagenblast, Route 66 project coordinator at the museum, invites those who traveled or were associated with Route 66 in Illinois to share their stories.

Interview participants will be required to sign a permission form granting legal rights for conducting and preserving their interviews. No monetary compensation will be provided. Video recordings and transcriptions of these interviews will be accessible to the public online as part of the centennial celebrations of Historic Route 66 in 2026.

###