Route 66 - Day #4
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
First stop today was in Chatham, IL. Just a few images of their murals.
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Then it was a short drive down an original brick section of Route 66. Nostalgic, but NOT smooth - not even in today’s modern vehicles.
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Just when you think the randomness of Route 66 attractions couldn’t get any stranger, along comes Turkey Tracks in the road!
A bunch of turkeys walked across this section of Route 66 before the cement had dried. And, just like that, a Route 66 attraction was made. Someone has even added a sign, a wooden turkey and markings on the road - so you won’t miss it.
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And what would our final day in Illinois be without yet another visit to a former penal institution. The Cannonball Jail in Carlinville, IL.
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But this jail still had some occupants!
This one, sitting on the throne, doesn’t look too happy to be there. Or maybe they just need a stool softener!
Warden’s quarters above the old jail cells.
Macoupin County Court House in Carlinville, IL.
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From ChatGPT:
The Macoupin County Courthouse, built between 1867 and 1870, is a massive Classical Revival landmark nicknamed the “Million Dollar Courthouse.” Once among the largest in the nation, it became famous for cost overruns, political controversy, and heavy taxes on residents. Featuring cast-iron interiors and a towering dome, it remains an active courthouse and historic centerpiece.
This is the mural for a business called Wall Street Financial Group; complete with raging bull from a C-Note and the NYC skyline.
Our next stop was the Litchfield, IL Museum & Route 66 Welcome Center.
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A few images from the exhibits in the Litchfield Museum. This is a 1930 Ford Model A.
Route 66 has a lot of neon.
Directly across from the museum is the Ariston Cafe, a Route 66 legend which has been in operation at this location for almost as long as the road has existed. We had lunch here just to be in this presence of this history.
From ChatGPT:
The Ariston Cafe is a historic Route 66 restaurant founded in 1924 and relocated to Litchfield in 1935. Often called the oldest continuously operating café on the Mother Road, it features classic American, Greek, and Italian dishes. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it remains a beloved roadside landmark.
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So many well preserved service stations along the route. This is Soulsby’s Service Station in Mt. Olive, IL.
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A few images from in and around Soulsby’s Service Station.
From ChatGPT:
The Soulsby’s Service Station is a historic Route 66 landmark built in 1926 by Henry Soulsby. One of the oldest surviving stations on the highway, it operated for over 65 years before closing in the early 1990s. Restored as a small museum, it preserves vintage pumps, memorabilia, and the nostalgic character of America’s “Mother Road.”
These ramps for working on cars at Soulsby’s don’t appear to have moved in some time; the tree has grown right around the metal ramp. This isn’t going to function quite right….
Next up was a brief stop to pay homage to the former Henry’s Rabbit Ranch.
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From ChatGPT:
Henry's Rabbit Ranch was one of the quirkiest stops along Route 66, created by the endlessly enthusiastic Henry Prange. Before his death in 2015, visitors were greeted by Henry himself—often in overalls—eagerly sharing stories about rabbits, both real and Volkswagen. The property blended a small petting zoo with a whimsical collection of vintage Volkswagen Rabbit cars, all set against a backdrop of Route 66 nostalgia and humor.
Since Henry’s passing, the ranch has struggled to maintain that same personal charm. While the site still stands and occasional efforts have been made to preserve it, the lively spirit Henry brought—the conversations, laughter, and eccentric passion—has largely faded. Today, it remains a quiet, slightly weathered tribute to one man’s imagination and the golden age of roadside Americana.
From ChatGPT:
At Henry's Rabbit Ranch, several Volkswagen Rabbit cars are whimsically buried nose-first in the ground, mimicking real rabbits diving into burrows. This playful roadside display became an iconic photo stop along Route 66, capturing the humor, creativity, and eccentric spirit that defined the ranch experience.
From ChatGPT:
At Henry's Rabbit Ranch, the “Humpin’ to Please” slogan painted on a box truck reflects Henry Prange’s trademark humor—playful, a little irreverent, and designed to make travelers laugh. The phrase is a tongue-in-cheek pun tying together the ranch’s rabbit theme (rabbits being famously prolific) with old-school roadside advertising slogans.
Like the half-buried Volkswagen Rabbit cars, it wasn’t meant to carry deep meaning—just to catch attention, spark a smile, and embody the offbeat, anything-goes spirit of Route 66 attractions.
A quick stop at the West End Service Station in Edwardsville, IL. It was closed, but we were able to walk the grounds outside.
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One of the most famous Route 66 stops is the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge connecting Illinois on the eastern end to St. Louis, MO on the western end.
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From ChatGPT:
The Chain of Rocks Bridge, opened in 1929, carried Route 66 traffic across the Mississippi River. Its most unusual feature is a 22-degree bend in the middle, designed to navigate a tricky river channel. Once a vital crossing, it was bypassed by a new bridge in 1967 and eventually closed to vehicles. Today, restored for pedestrians and cyclists, it offers striking views of the river, nearby canal structures, and the historic water intake towers. It remains a beloved landmark preserving the spirit of early American road travel.
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You can really appreciate the 22-degree bend in the bridge. Keep in mind, there was two-way traffic on this bridge.
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The water intake towers just downstream from the bridge itself.
Our final stop for the night was Ted Drewes for some amazing frozen custard.
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On an April day that reached into the upper-80s in St. Louis, this was a very popular place to visit.
