Historic Route 66 Trail

West Side of 66, Toqanda, IL
Phone:

East < GO > West

This is a cool use of two abandoned lanes of the old 1954 four lane alignment of Route 66. They took the south bound lanes and turned them into a hiking and biking trail complete with Burma Shave and other period signs.

The trail stretches south 1.6 miles from Jackson Street to Boyd Wesley Park. It is called "A Geographical Journey" and was created in 1998 by Towanda volunteers plus students and teachers from the Normal Community High School and Illinois State University.

In case you're lost, they've painted a handy dandy map of the lower 48 states showing Route 66 running from Chicago to Santa Monica. There's a few helpful signposts as well.

There is a little picnic shelter and table for folks who want to rest a bit or enjoy a snack along the way. This spot is just across the street from the former Pure Oil Truck Stop and just before what is known as "Dead Mans Curve" on the 1926 alignment of Route 66. From here the trail stretches 2.5 miles north along the 1950s alignment of Route 66.

Photo(s): 2015, 2016, 2023