Getting your Kicks on Route 66

In 1918, Illinois established a state highway system. One of the first roads was Route 4 from St. Louis to Chicago that followed the old Pontiac Trail along the Chicago and Alton Railroad Line. When Route 66 was designated in 1926, much of the Route 4 roadway was adapted for use until the new road could be constructed. Route 66 wound its way through Madison County, bringing prosperity to towns and businesses along the way including Worden, Williamson, Livingston, Hamel, Edwardsville, Mitchell and, with later alignments, Granite City and Collinsville. We invite you to read these stories of the Mother Road, a route that still attracts thousands of visitors from around the world.