McLean Atlanta Lawndale Lincoln Broadwell Elkhart
Prosperous Prairie Towns:
This is another succession of towns built along the Chicago & Alton Railroad with some of the mostproductive farms in the world. Abraham Lincoln tourism on Route 66 begins here.
Relationship to Route 66:
This segment has always been important as a farm-to-market corridor, whether by rail or road.
McLean
McLean, a farming community of about 800, featuresa downtown area with several historic buildings anda restored train depot that houses an antique shop.This small town of 800 residents still continues toattract visitors at the Dixie Truckers Home, theoldest truck stop in Illinois. Filled with Route 66memorabilia, the truck stop has been serving upburgers and fries [...]
Atlanta
Atlanta was established in 1853 when its founder, Thomas Gill, recognized where the path of the Chicago and Alton Railroad would be laid from St.Louis to Chicago.
This picturesque town is located near the midway point on Route 66 between Chicago and St. Louis. It is noted for its many murals on the historic buildings. At [...]
Lawndale
This small farm town has one tavern, no gas station, and a converted mobile home as its post office. It is regionally known for “the Lawndale Incident.” On July 25, 1977 two giant unidentified birds, commonly known in Crypto-Zoology as “Thunderbirds,” passed over Lawndale, Illinois. One swooped down and grabbed ten-year-old Marlon Lowe from his [...]
Lincoln
This is the only town named for and christened by Abraham Lincoln before he became president. First settled in the 1830s, it was officially named for Lincoln on August 27, 1853. Lincoln had assisted with the platting of the town and worked as counsel for the C. & A. Railroad newly laid through the community. [...]
Broadwell
The Village of Broadwell was laid out on the Chicago & Alton rail line in 1856 by William Broadwell and Jacob Eisiminger. Broadwell became a shipping point for hogs, corn, wheat and later soybeans. The Village of Broadwell featured the well-known “Pig Hip” Restaurant, operated by Ernest L. (”Ernie”) Edwards and family from 1937 through [...]
Elkhart
Elk Heart Hill is a tree covered glacial moraine that rises 777 feet above sea level, contrasting with the surrounding flat prairie land. The first American came in 1819 and settled what was then known as Elk Heart Grove on the stage route from Springfield to Bloomington. With the coming of the railroad in 1853, [...]
