The Mother Road in McLean County

What we know as Route 66 today was originally a trail used by Indigenous Peoples. It connected travelers to the Kankakee, Des Plaines, and Fox rivers, as well as Chicago and Lake Michigan.

Over time, it evolved. It was a route for livestock droves, travelers riding in horse-and-buggy carriages, and later, the Chicago & Alton Railroad. Lincoln traversed this path by carriage and by train while working the 8th Judicial Circuit from 1839 to 1860. Route 66 was laid parallel to the train tracks several decades later.

Route 66 connects Chicago, Illinois, to Santa Monica, California. Federal legislation commissioned the route on November 11, 1926, uniting sporadic stretches of road under one smooth coat of asphalt. It made cross-country travel faster and easier than ever.

The route spans approximately 2,400 miles through eight states. Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California all lay claim to a part of the iconic highway.

Approximately 40 miles of 66 passes right through the heart of McLean County. The communities of Chenoa, Lexington, Towanda, Normal, Bloomington, Shirley, Funks Grove, and McLean benefited from the increased traffic. Several businesses and landmarks grew around the route. Some of McLean County's iconic 66 spots include Sprague’s Super Service, Steak ‘n Shake, Casey’s Garden Shop, and the Dixie Truck Stop.

The aforementioned stops still stand. However, many beloved Route 66 staples have been lost to the wheels of time. One such example is Steve’s Cafe in Chenoa. The restaurant and lounge was loved by travelers and locals alike. Many wedding receptions and other community events were held in the space which also hosted thousands of people passing though. The cafe advertised having "The Finest Steaks Between Chicago and St. Louis." It operated for over 70 years before closing in 1997.

Explore more of Route 66 in McLean County by using the Museum's web-based mobile tour platform, Tourient.

Click here to learn more and begin your tour!

Beyond its economic importance, the "Mother Road" became a powerful symbol of freedom, mobility, and the promise of adventure. John Steinbeck coined the term "Mother Road" in The Grapes of Wrath (1939). Steinbeck's novel follows a family of tenant farmers during the Great Depression as they head west in search of a better life. Although the novel is fictional, the story it shares was a reality for many people during this time.

Route 66 carried Dust Bowl migrants westward during the 1930s. It later served as an important transportation corridor during World War II. After the war, Route 66 became synonymous with the American family road trip, which shaped a new culture of automobile travel.

Beyond literary fame, Route 66 also inspired a myriad of other media. Songs, like “(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66,” and movies like Cars (2006) enshrined the Mother Road's place in American pop culture.